The Catholic Connection

For weekend of August 22-23rd

1. Fr. Eli Gone this week, Fr. Paul covering daily Masses

2. Faith Formation will start Oct. 7th this year, later then usual to give us a chance to get ready for the changes this year.

3. No fall party this year, in anticipation of the work necessary for the dedication Mass on Dec. 14th.

Faith Formation for 2026-2027

What’s different this year:

• A slightly different monthly schedule from last year, trying to adjust to feedback and make it more uniform each month to help people get the schedule down.
  • Meals served 2x a month 1^st and 3^rd
• Lowering the age of confirmation (still need guidance from the diocese of how low)
  • What that practically means -> readiness based sac. Prep
• Starting a bit later to make the proper preparations
• Halfway through the year we will have two campuses so some events will be at the current St. Joseph office, and others will be at the new SJ Church.

Details:

• Start date of Faith Formation Wed. Oct. 7^th
• Take September to discern… who is ready for confirmation?
• We will be developing some criteria to help you think about that

Schedule:

• Each month a schedule of 3 week cycle:
  • 1^st Wed Formation Night
  • 2^nd Wed group night
  • 3^rd Wed Encounter night*(younger kids still meet for formation same as 1^st wed)
  • 4&5 Wed off

Classroom formation -> details of 3 different style Wednesdays each month:

• 1^st Wed of the month (Formation Night)
• 3:30-5 K-5^th grade, 5 yrs old to about 11 years old
  • Location at the parish office
  • CGS for K-3^rd
  • Catechesis for 4-5
• 5:30-6:15 Meal in the Church basement -> then over at new church starting in Jan
  • 6:15-7:30 Catechesis for older grades 6^th-11^th
    • Large group teaching, small group discussion
  • 2^nd of the month
    • Group Night 6:15-7:30
    • Location at the parish or another agreed upon location.
  • 3^rd of the month (Encounter night)
  • 3:30-5 K-5^th grade, 5 yrs old to about 11 years old
    • Location at the parish office
    • CGS for K-3^rd
    • Catechesis for 4-5
  • 5:30-6:15 Meal in the church basement -> Jan at new location
    • 6:15-7:15 PM Adoration, confession, praise and worship, testimony in the church
  • 4^th and or 5^th of month (open) families can take these weeks to do something on their own or just have a night off.

That’s an overview of what is coming this year for faith formation.  Tammy Ringhand our DRE has been working with the diocesan office to put together this plan which we worked out together. 

Looking further down the road… we are seriously considering trying to hire a Youth Minister to do relational ministry with junior high and high school students… bible studies… we hope to take steps on this during this year so as to hire someone in the next year or so.

ANNOUNCEMENTS for July 25-26

1. The Prayer Guild will meet at the new church to pray the rosary-tomorrow-Monday at 5pm.

2. Our final Seekers will meet this Thursday at the church at 6pm. Open to 8th grade through college.

3. Golfers: St. Francis of the Lakes school fundraiser on Thursday, July 30. See the bulletin.

4. The Stations of the Cross will be taken down soon to be restored.

5. Coffee and donuts after Mass today.

1. Bring a friend to Mass this weekend.

2. This coming week is power up, because of power up, there will be no seekers this Thursday July 16th.

 

 

July 4th-5th:

1. Seekers this Thursday 6 PM- 8:30 PM for Students 8th-college

2. Power up July 14th-16th check with the office to see if there's still room.  

June 27-28 2026

1.    The Prayer Guild will pray the rosary in the parking lot of the new church this  Monday, June 29^th at 5:00pm.

2.   Seekers will meet this Thursday, July 2nd at SJ church for a cookout, games, discussion and ice cream at High Wheel. Meet at 6pm.

3.      First Friday/Saturday this week. 8am at SJ and Friday at 9am at OLF.

4.    Bring a Friend to Mass is here again. The weekend of July 11-12 at both OLF and SJ. Read Fr. Eli's article this week for more information.

1. Happy Father's day, there is a special collection for the Priest Care Fund this weekend.

2. KC breakfast for Father's day

3. Totus Tuus begins this week, Mass schedule Mon-Fri 11:30 AM Mass at SJ. The regular 9 am Mass at OLF is still on.

4. No seekers this week, we pick up again 6 PM on Thurs. July 2nd.

1. Totus Tuus begins next Sunday June 21st

2. Fr. Eli gone this Saturday, Fr. Paul will cover the Mass.