Fall 2016 Newsletter - Our Lady of the Wayside Church

INSIDE WAYSIDE
September, October, November 2016
Religious Education Program Newsletter
Our Lady of the Wayside
432 S. Mitchell
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
(847)398-5011
(847)398-5043
Father Ed Fialkowski, Pastor
Fr. Louise Golamari, Associate Pastor
Sr. Joan Shields, S.N.D. de N. - DRE Grades 1 - 4
Sr. Adrienne Weseman, S.N.D. de N. - DRE Grades 5-8
Louise Dickey, Secretary & Editor
All Tuesdays:
Religious Education Classes
Alternating Tuesdays: Religious Education Classes
Grades 1-4
Grades 5-6
Grades 7-8
4:00 - 5:15 PM
7:00 - 8:30 PM
7:00- 8:30 PM
September 2016
Sun
4
11
Mon
5 REP Office Closed
12
Bginning of the Year
Mass Practice with Gr
2-4 participants in
Church at 4:00
18
Catechetical
Sunday 9:45
Mass.
Recognition
and Blessing of
Catechists &
School Staff.
19
Bginning of the Year
Mass Practice with Gr
7-8 participants in
Church at 3:30
Second Grade First
Reconciliation
Parent Meeting
7:00-8:30 in Gym
25
26
Beginning of the Year
Mass Practice for Gr
5-6 participants in
Church at 4:00
FFILL Program
6-7:30 in the
gym
Tue
Wed
Thu
8
Fri
9
Sat
10
6 First Class Gr 1-4. Open
House 4:00-4:30 Followed
by Mass
Preparation. Class
Dismissal at 5:15
First REP Class Gr 7-8 Open House 6:307:00; Mass Preparation at
7:10 followed by
Class. Dismissal at 8:30
7
13
Gr 1-4 Beginning of the
Year Mass 4:15. Students
attend class. Dismissal
from school at 5:15.
First REP Class
Gr 5-6 -Open House 6:307:00; Mass Preparation at
7:10 followed by Class.
Dismissal at 8:30
20
Gr 1-4 Class
4:00-5:15
14
15
16
17
21
22
23
24
27 Gr 1-4 Class
28
4:00-5:15
Gr 5-6 Class 7:00-8:30
Beginning of the Year Mass
7:10. Dismissal at 8:30
29
30
Parish Picnic
6:00-10:00
Gr 7-8 Beginning of the
Year Mass 7:10. Dismissal
at 8:30
PAGE 2
October 2016
SUN
MON
2
3
9
10 Columbus
Day-REP Office
Closed
16
17
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
1 7th Grade
Retreat 9:0012:00 Middle
School Gym
8
8th Grade
Retreat 9:001:30 Middle
School Gym
Prayer service
12:30 in gym.
Parents invited.
4 Class Gr 1-4
5
4:00-5:15 Fire Drill at
beginning of class
Gr 2 Pracrice for
Reconciliaton
Gr 7-8 Class 7:00-8:30;
Fire Drill at beginning
of class. Gr 7 Little
Sister of Poor
Collection
11 Gr 1-4 Class
12
Gr 2 Pracrice for
Reconciliaton
Gr 5-6Class 7:00-8:30
Fire Drill at beginning of
class. Grade 6 Little
Sister of Poor Collection
Prepare Gr 6 for
Reconciliation
6
7
13
Required Chastity
Initiative
Program for 8th
Grade and
Parents. 7:00-9:00
in Gym
14
15
18 1 Gr 1-4 Class
Gr 2 Pracrice for
Reconciliaton
19
20
21
22
25 No CLASS Gr 1-4
Catechist Planning
Meeting 4:00-5:15
Class Gr 5-6 7:00-8:30
Gr 6 Receives
Reconciliation. Gr 6
Collecting for Little
Sisters of Poor
26
27
28
29
Parent
Confirmation
Gr 7-8 7:00-8:15
Meeting 7:00(Shortened Class)
8:30 in the Gym Catechist Meeting
24
23
FILL Program
6-7:30 in the gym
November 2016
SUN
6
MON
7
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
2
1 Gr 1-4 Class Mass for
Feast of All Saints at 4:10.
Gr 7-8 Class. Attend Mass
at 7:30. Final collection for
Little Sisters of the Poor
8 Gr 1-4 Class. Gr 2
9
Pracrice for Reconciliaton
Gr 5-6 7:00-8:15
(Shortened Class)
Catechist Meeting
Gr 6 Final Collection day for
Little Sisters of the Poor
3
4
5
10
11
12
Reception of
Sacrament of
First
Reconciliation
Gr 2 11:00 &
1:00
13
14
15 Gr 1-4 Class
16
Gr 7-8 Class. Gr 7
Reconciliation. Gr 7 second
Homily Evaluation due. Gr 8
Pink Confirmation form due
17
18
19
20
21
24
Thanksgiving
Day
25
26
27
28
22
NO CLASSES for REP
OLW Parent Teacher
Conferences
29 Gr 1-4 Class
Gr 5-6 Class. Gr 5 Mock
Baptism in Church at 7:30.
Gr 6 Torah presentation in
Gym
23
30
PAGE 3
BEGINNING-OF-THE-YEAR OPEN HOUSE - Grades 7-8
- Parents of the 7th and 8th graders are to attend Open House from 6:30 - 7:00. This will
be the first class for these students. Students remain in their classroom and go to Church with their teachers for
Mass Preparation at 7:10. Dismissal for all students will be at 8:30. Beginning of the Year Mass is on Tuesday,
September 20 at 7:10. Parents are invited to attend. STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING THIS FIRST CLASS WILL BE
MARKED ABSENT.
BEGINNING-OF-THE-YEAR OPEN HOUSE - Grades 5-6
Parents of the 5th and 6th graders are to attend Open House from 6:30-7:00. This will
be the first class for these students. Students remain in their classrooms and go to Church with their teachers for
Mass Preparation at 7:10. Dismissal will be at 8:30. Beginning of the Year Mass is on Tuesday, September 27 at
7:10. Parents are invited to attend. Gr 6 students will receive their Bibles on Open House Day in Church.
STUDENTS NOT ATTENDING THIS FIRST CLASS WILL BE MARKED ABSENT.
THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE STUDENTS IN GRADES 5-8 DURING THEIR FIRST
CLASS:
—textbook and class schedule
—Parents’ and Students’ Handbook for 2016-2017 (Oldest in the family)
SPECIAL MASS PARTICIPATION - GRADES 5-8
We are in need of boys and girls to take special part in the Beginning of the Year
Masses on September 20 for grades 7-8, or September 27 for grades 5-6, by doing
a reading, reading a petition, being an altar server, bringing up an Offertory gift,playing a
musical instrument, or being a Cantor. Please email [email protected] to volunteer.
Those children who make a commitment to participate in the Mass in a special way are asked
to be at a short practice on the following days:
– Thursday, September 19 at 3:30 in Church - Boys and Girls in
Grade 7 and 8 who volunteer to participate in the Mass by cantoring and or playing a musical
Participation will require two
instrument at the Mass will receive
practices. Dan McMahon, Music Director, will schedule the second practice time.
– at 4:00 in Church—Students may also volunteer to
cantor or play an instrument. This would entail an extra practice.
BEGINNING-OF-THE-YEAR OPEN HOUSE - Grades 1-4-September 6
Parents who have children in Grades 1-4 are asked to attend the Open House from 4:00-4:25. At 4:25 the
Catechists will take their students to Church for Mass Preparation at 4:30. After Mass Preparation, all students are
returning to their classrooms with their teachers. They will be dismissed by the teachers and will use the far north
door of the Elementary School. Beginning of the Year Mass is on Tuesday, September 15 at 4:15. Parents are
invited to attend. Dismissal is from School at 5:15.
THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE STUDENTS IN GRADES 5-8 DURING THEIR FIRST
CLASS:
* a Religion textbook and Class schedule in a folder
* a Parents’ and Students’ Handbook for 2016-2017 (one per family and given to the oldest or
only in the family)
SPECIAL MASS PARTICIPATION - GRADES 1-4
We are in need of children in Grades 2-4 to participate in the Beginning of the Year Mass. Please email
[email protected] to volunteer. The special parts in the Mass to volunteer for are the following: a
reading, the reading of petitions, bringing up Offertory gift, or being a Cantor. We are also in need of two altar
servers, if there are older brothers and sisters who are servers and would like to participate. Practice for the Mass
is on Monday, September 12th, at 4:00 in Church.
PAGE 4
TUITION AND FEES – 2016-2017
ALL TUITION AND FEES ARE TO BE PAID BEFORE THE FIRST CLASS.
Tuition:
Grades 1-8 - $265 per child
Non-Parishioner Fee (per family per year) $280
Fees:
First Eucharist - Grade 2 - $75
Reconciliation - Grade 2 - $50
Personal Bible, Grade 6 - $15
Retreat, Grade 7 - $60
Confirmation, Grade 8 - $125 (includes confirmation retreat and gown)
Late Registration Form Fee - $60 (received after April 30, 2013)
Non-volunteer Fee - $140
The Registration Form, Volunteer Form, and payment of at least 50% of the total tuition and fees was due by
April 30, 2016 A late Registration Fee of $60.00 will be charged for forms, tuition, and fees received after
April 30.
SACRAMENTAL POLICY FOR GRADE 2
Since Grade 2 is a sacrament year, children in Grade 2 are required to attend class at Our
Lady of the Wayside on Tuesdays, from 4:00-5:15 weekly for their First Reconciliation and
First Eucharist preparation. Students entering Grade 2 must have had formal religious instruction the previous year, otherwise they will be placed in Grade 1.
SACRAMENTAL POLICY FOR GRADE 6
Grade 6 is a pre-requisite for entering the Confirmation preparation program. Preparation
for
Confirmation takes place in grades 7 and 8. Students entering Grade 7 must have had formal religious instruction in Grade 6, otherwise they will be placed in Grade 6 instead of
Grade 7. During the two-year preparation program for the Sacrament of Confirmation,
students are to attend classes regularly with as little absence as possible if they wish to
be confirmed in Grade 8.
SIXTH GRADE BIBLES
The sixth graders are receiving a Bible. This is a student edition appropriate for their age
level. The sixth graders will receive their Bibles at a special Bible Blessing following the
Beginning-of-the-Year Mass Preparation on Tuesday, September 13th in Church at 7:10.
Little Saints Song, Stretch and Story Time is a Parish Program that meets on Friday mornings for an hour
where children listen to and sometimes participate in Bible stories, pray the Our Father, sing songs, and learn
about the Saints.
Who: Young children (2 – 6) along with their parent/caregiver. Siblings are welcome.
What: Have fun sharing faith with family and friends!!! Listen to Bible stories, learn about Saints who lived long
ago, pray, sing and stretch!!!
When: Friday @ 9:30-10:30, beginning September 9th. Meeting twice monthly. No registration required. Consult
the bulletin for more information.
Where: Rectory Basement
Feel free to Contact: [email protected]
PAGE 5
Grades 1-4
Classes begin at 4:00 PM
Children will enter and exit the Elementary Building at the far north end. The doors will be opened at 3:30 PM. A
security system is in place and the doors will be locked at 4:10 PM. Students arriving late must use the Mitchell
Avenue entrance, ring the bell, and wait for access. Dismissal time is 5:15 PM. Please be prompt, as children
become distressed when they are the last one remaining. If a child is not picked up within 10 minutes after
dismissal time, that child will be taken to the Religious Education Office. The late parent/guardian must use the
Mitchell Avenue entrance; ring the bell and wait for access.
Please NO PARKING along the fence on the north end of the back lot in front of the bicycle racks-this parkway is to
be used by pedestrians including those walking to/from the far west lot (Ridge Avenue Parking
Do not double-park on Mitchell Avenue when dropping off and picking up children. Also, do not block
driveways, park in driveways, or park too close to fire hydrants on Mitchell Avenue.
PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS ... DRIVE SLOWLY ... BE COURTEOUS ... it only takes an extra minute or two.
Parents/Guardians must park their cars and escort their children to and from the building at both
drop-off and pick-up times. Children should never be “called over” to a car. Parent volunteers have been
instructed NOT TO RELEASE A CHILD WITHOUT AN ADULT.
Parents/guardians/with younger children - please do not expose your little ones to the danger of leaving them in an
unattended parked or “running” car.
Parents/guardians who don’t have younger children with you should consider parking in the far west lot (Ridge
Avenue parking lot) and walking over to meet your children, thereby leaving the closer spots for those with little
ones in tow.
Those arriving after 5:15 PM are asked to use the far west lot (Ridge Avenue parking lot). This will prevent further
congestion in the west lot, as the traffic flow at that time is leaving the lot. Parent/guardian volunteers are
there to help ensure our children’s safety - please follow their directions. Please do not honk or call from your cars.
Please share these guidelines with those you have designated to drop off and pick up your children. These Safety
Guidelines apply to everyone. Thank you for helping us maintain safty for the children.
For some of the older children we will be using the lower level classrooms in the Elementary buidling as well as the
Middle School classrooms for Grade 7. If your child's classroom is 118-119-120, they are in the Elemtary
Building. We ask that you follow the following guidelines for the safety of our students when you are driving to
pick them up.
You can enter from the Park Street entrance next to the Church. Continue towards the break that exists between
the Parish Center and the School Building. You will drive over a speed bump to proceeed around the back of the
elementary building and drop off is by Door #5. Please refer to the diagram on the next page for a visual. The pick
Attendance Certificate Awards
Boys and girls in grades 1-4 will be awarded Perfect
Attendance Certificates during their last class period of
the year. Boys and girls in grades 1-4 who were
absent one or two times will also receive recognition
through the presentation of a certificate.
Perfect attendance certificates will be presented to
boys and girls in Grades 5-8 who were present for all
of the classes for the year and students who were
absent only once will also receive a certificate. The
certificates will be distributed to the students in their
classrooms after the End-of-the-Year Prayer Service.
Progress Reports
Progress reports will be distributed twice a year,
during the months of January and April. Please
refer to calendars for specific dates. Children
are given the reports in class. Please ask your
child for his/her report. All points listed on the
report card will be graded as follows:
VG-Very Good
G-Good
NI-Needs Improvement
Parents/Guardians are expected to review the
progress report, and return it signed to the
catechist at the next class session. Any time a
parent/guardian has a question or concern,
please contact the catechist directly.
PAGE 6
PAGE 7
POLICY FOR ENROLLMENT FOR
GRADES 2-7
Since Grade 2 is a sacrament year,
children in Grade 2 are required to
attend Religious Education classes at
Our Lady of the Wayside on Tuesdays,
from 4:00-5:15 weekly for their First
Reconciliation and FirstEucharist
preparation. Home study is not an
option.
Grade 6 is a pre-requisite for entering
the two year Confirmation preparation
program. Preparation for Confirmation
takes place in Grades 7 and 8. Students
entering grades 2 or 7 must have had
formal religious instruction the previous
year, otherwise they will be placed in
grades 1 or 6 upon entering.
DISCIPLINE POLICY
When a student is disrupting the class the student will be
corrected by the catechist. Corrective measures will be in the
form of warnings, discussion of the problem, staying after
class, or meeting with the Directors of Religious Education. If a
child continues to be disruptive in class and shows no
improvement after these corrective measures have been taken,
parents/guardians will be contacted to teach their child at
home, or may be requested to sit in on the class.
Parents/guardians who are required to teach their child at
home due to disciplinary reasons, will be given material and
guidelines to complete the course of study for the year. Once
each semester, parents will be required to bring their child in
for a test on the material. If a student's behavior should result
in physical damage or property loss, that student is expected to
make full restitution.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OF THEIR
CHILD/CHILDREN
Parents are asked to review each week with their
child/children the lesson that was taken in class.
All of us involved in the Religious Education
Program are here to support you, the parents, in
teaching your children their Catholic faith. It is
you, the parents, who are the first and primary
teachers of your children.
STUDENT MINISTRIES
Students in Grade 5 are given the opportunity to become
Altar Servers, and are given information concerning the
training and expectations of this ministry. Altar serving is
also open to students in Grades 6-8. In order to encourage
students to become actively involved in the liturgy,
classroom and group prayer services are developed in
which the children can participate directly in the Liturgies
and Prayer Services. Before and after Confirmation,
liturgical ministries are offered to the eighth grade students
BEGINNING-OF-THE-YEAR MASS
FOR GRADES 5-6 AND GRADES 7-8
The Beginning-of-the-Year Mass for Grades 5 and 6, and Grades 7 and 8, will be
during their second scheduled class. These boys and girls are attending Mass with their
teacher. Parents are most welcome to be present for the Mass, and we ask that you
remind your son and daughter to show respect when they enter the Church by
entering quietly, taking holy water, genuflecting before entering their bench,and
participating in the Mass by singing and answering the prayers. The boys and girls
should also remember to bow their head before they receive the Eucharist. Thank
you as always for all your support in helping your children begin the year with an
enjoyable and faith-renewing experience.
PAGE 8
STUDENTS’ CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
Parents will be receiving a special mailing during the
last week in August, which will contain the
following:
¨ Confirmation of each student’s grade level and
classroom assignment
¨ Diagrams of classrooms in the Elementary
School and Middle School
Catechetical Sunday 2016
LATE REGISTRATION... is still taking place. If you
know of any families who have not registered, invite
them to stop in the Religious Education Office TODAY,
or call for more information, 847- 398-5011.
REGISTRATION
Any parents who have not registered their children for
religious education classes for the 2015-2016 school year
are to do so as soon as possible. Parents who had
children in the program last year and have not
registered them for this year will not be given a class
assignment until the re-registration takes place.
"Prayer - Faith Prayed"
CATECHETICAL SUNDAY is September 18th. We invite all catechists to join us at
the 9:45 Liturgy on September 20th to be commissioned for this very important
ministry. All families are invited to join us in prayer and support for these
dedicated people who choose to work with our children.
SECURITY SYSTEM
All late-comers to class will have to enter
through the main entrances to the buildings,
and ring the bell to be buzzed in. If a
student is more than ten minutes late for
class, he/she must report to the Religious
Education Office to be checked in before
going to the classroom. Parents, please have
your children on time for class.
From the Religious Education Board
Regarding Registration-Parents who have children in the
Religious Education Program are asked to support the parish by
using their weekly envelopes. This year, children's envelopes will
not contain assigned numbers as in the past. To reduce the cost,
the box will not have a label with a child’s name on it.
We ask that if you desire credit for their contributions, please
mark your child's name and family parish id number (found on
your envelope) on the child's envelope. Credit will only be
given if this information is supplied.
New parishioners’ Religious Education forms will not be
processed until the parishioners are registered members of
Our Lady of the Wayside.
Welcome to all who are returning to the Religious Education Program this September! Welcome also to those who
are coming into the Program for the first time. We hope this will be an exciting and growth-filled year for all the
students and their families.
A special word of thanks to Louise Dickey, our secretary, for editing and preparing Inside Wayside Newsletter.
We truly appreciate the wonderful job she does.
PAGE 9
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Second grade children will be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the
first time. A Parent Meeting is taking place on Monday, September 19th, from
7:00-8:30 in the Fr. Mackin Center. One parent from each family is to be in
attendance. The second graders are receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation on the
following date: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH - 11:00 AND 1:00. At the Parents' Meeting,
parents will be asked to choose one of the above times for their child’s reception of the
Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Sacrament of First Eucharist
The First Communion Masses are on the following dates and times:
SATURDAY, APRIL 29- 10:30 and 1:00
SATURDAY, MAY 6 10:30
At the First Communion Parents’ Meeting, the second grade parents will have
an opportunity to sign up for their child’s First Communion Mass.
The following events throughout the year are requirements leading up to First
Communion:
Monday, January 9th - Second Grade Parents’ First Communion Meeting - 7:00-9:00 - Fr. Mackin Center
Sunday, February 19th - Second Grade Children and Parents’ First Communion Retreat - 2:00-4:00 in the
Fr. Mackin Center. At least one parent is to be in attendance with their child.
FIRST YEAR CONFIRMATION PREPARATION REQUIREMENTS - GRADE 7
Class Retreat - Saturday, October 1st - 9:00 - 12:00 - Fr. Mackin Center for REP students and
OLW School Students
Class Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
- Tuesday, November 15th during class
Completion of 2 Homily evaluations per semester:
A total of 4 for the year (Can be turned in earlier)
First Semester: October 18th and November 15th
Second Semester: January 31st and February 28th
Three Group Service Projects
1. Food Drive for Thanksgiving for Little Sisters of the Poor—due Tuesday, November 1st
2. Participation in Confirmation Reception which will be held March 11th.
3. Participation in Parish Service Day 9;00 in the Gym
One 5-hour student-directed project to be completed by Tuesday, January 17th. The projects above,
including the individual 5-hour one, may not be used toward the 20-hour Service Project required when
these students are in Grade 8.
PAGE 10
Requirements for Confirmation, 2016-2017
1.
Chastity Education Initiative Program for eighth graders and their parents is on Thursday,
October 13th at 7:00 in the Fr. Mackin Center (Gym).
2.
3.
4.
5.
Retreat on Saturday, October 8th from 9:00-1:30 in the Fr. Mackin Center is for all Our Lady of the
Wayside Confirmation Candidates, the combined group of REP students and OLW School students.
At least one parent from each family is to attend the Confirmation Parents’ Meeting on Monday,
October 17th from 7:00-8:30 in the Fr. Mackin Center (Gym).
All Confirmation Candidates participate in the preparation of a banner for the altar for the
Confirmation Ceremony by preparing a ribbon representing a candle with their Confirmation name on
it. A more detailed explanation will be given at the Parents’ Meeting on Monday, October 17th. The
ribbon is to be completed and handed in by Tuesday, January 31, 2017.
Pink Information Form given to parents at the Parents’ Meeting is due on Tuesday, November 15th.
7.
REP students will be measured for Confirmation gowns on Tuesday, January 3rd . School students will
be measured in school on this date or a date close to it.
The written paper on information about the saint’s name chosen for Confirmation is due on Tuesday,
8.
January 31st.
Twenty hours of service are required in the areas of Parish, Community, Family, and School. Each
9.
Confirmation Candidate’s Project Log sheet is to be completed and handed in by Tuesday, January 31st.
Each Candidate is required to write a letter to the Bishop, who will administer
6.
Confirmation in our parish on Saturday, March 11th. These letters are to be completed and
10.
31st. In the letter, the students request the Sacrament of
Confirmation, telling why they wish to be confirmed and how they intend to live out their
commitment to the Catholic Faith. They may tell the Bishop about their service hours, as well.
A written test on the Sacrament of Confirmation will be administered to the REP students on Tuesday,
February 14th and to School students on a date arranged by their teachers.
11.
The Confirmation Light Service is on Wednesday, February 8th from 7:00-8:30 in Church.
Parents, Sponsors, and Confirmation Candidates attend this special Prayer Service.
12.
Reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place on Tuesday February 28th (REP) at 7:00
P.M. and Thursday, March 2nd at 1:00 for the School Students.
Dress Code for Confirmation: Red Robes Will Be Worn Over Clothing
Girls—Dress or skirt and blouse, dress shoes
Boys—Dress pants, white dress shirt, tie, dress shoes
Monday, February 27th
Practice for Confirmation 10:00 Mass, (A-L).
Confirmandi only. 6:30-8:00
Thursday, March 2nd
Practice for Confirmation 2:00 Mass, (M-Z).
Confirmandi only. 6:30-8:00
Monday, March 6th
Practice for Confirmation 10:00 Mass, (A-L).
Confirmandi, Parents and Sponsors. 7:00-8:30
Thursday, March 9th
Practice for Confirmation 2:00 Mass, (M-Z).
Confirmandi, Parents and Sponsors. 7:00-8:30
Saturday, March 11th
Bishop Francis Kane. Confirmation Masses - 10:00 (A-L),
2:00 (M-Z)
PAGE 11
TRAFFIC DIRECTIVES FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN
PLEASE DO NOT double-park on Mitchell Avenue or in front of the houses on Mitchell Avenue
PLEASE DO NOT block driveways on Mitchell Avenue
PLEASE DO NOT move orange cones on blacktop area to ensure the safety of the boys and girls who are walking
to and from the buildings during evening classes.
For drop off for the upper grades 5-8, parents are to arive at 6:40 and direct children to go directly into the
school buildings where they have class.
Between 8:25 and 8:40 the entrance to Park Street will be blocked to insure the safety of the
children as they are dismissed.
Orange Cones Blocking Entrance
Between 8:25-8:40 PM
PAGE 12
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION BOARD NEWS
Welcome to new religious education families and welcome back to all the returning REP families! We hope
you had a healthy, happy summer and are ready for a great year of sharing and growing in faith with the
Our Lady of the Wayside Parish Community.
The REP Board meets once a month to discuss policies and upcoming events. Our goals are to provide a safe
and enriching environment for REP students and to promote involvement in the parish. In fact, mark your
calendars now for Parish Service Day on Saturday, March 4, 2017.
The REP Board will host two upcoming Sunday morning coffees after Mass. Please stop to introduce
yourself. If you ever have any questions, please ask any of us.
Attendance/Tardiness
Attendance
Regular attendance is required and is in the best interest of those participating in our programs. Students missing a class
should make arrangements with the catechist to complete all necessary assignments. Other outside activities, or “too
much homework: should not take priority over attendance at religious education classes. Parents/Guardians are required
to phone the Religious Education office when their child is absent from class. Either send an email to
[email protected] or please call 398-5011 and report the student’s absence. After hours, please use extensions
246, 247, or 256. Give the student’s name, grade level, Catechist’s (teacher’s) name and reason for absence. Please
notify the office before class begins. If a student is absent and a phone call has not been made, a representative of the
Religious Education Office will call the student's home to verify that the student is home. This is a safety precaution, and
a courtesy gesture made to you.
Tardiness
Students who arrive after the class has begun in the Elementary Building are to use the Mitchell Avenue entrance and ring
the bell for entrance into the building. Students in the Middle School Building are to use the door nearest Park Street.
Before proceeding to class, the students are to stop at the office to report their arrival before going to their classroom.
This is to prevent the office from calling the student’s home. If you have received a phone call concerning your child’s
absence, but the child (to your best knowledge) is present in class, the office attendant will check in the student’s class
to verify the student’s presence, and will inform you of such. Consistent tardiness is both disruptive to the class and an
embarrassment to the student. Frequent tardiness will result in a call from one of the Directors of Religious Education.
Over the past several years, catechists who used E-Mail to contact parents have found it to be very successful and an
excellent means of communication with the parents of their students. Therefore, all the Catechists will receive their class
list of their students with parents’ E-Mail addresses included to use for communication purposes. If you did not put your
E-Mail address on your child’s/children’s Registration Form(s) please send it to Louise Dickey, our Religious Education
Secretary: [email protected]. E-Mails and voice mail will also be used from the REP Office for as much
communication as possible to parents.
We have contracted with a company recommended by the Archdiocese of Chicago, Auto Messenger. They will provide
communication in a more efficient and timely process than is currently possible. We will send a welcome email after the
beginning of the REP year to test the addresses we have. Please contact this office if you have not received your welcome
email from the REP office by the end of September.
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continued from previous column
What is it about children that makes them the epitome of
discipleship? Although there are many qualities that
children possess that are exemplary, three of the most
HAPPY IN GOD'S PRESENCE
by Sister Adrienne
outstanding are: openness, spontaneity, and receptivity
to gracious love.
Jesus' wonderful example of prayer to his Heavenly
Usually, children are open to life, that is, they are not
Father prompted his disciples one day to ask him,
afraid to let reality in. Children explore everything,
"Lord, teach us to pray." (Luke 11: 1) Jesus' response to
while adults say, "It's only a dandelion" or "If you've
them was what we now call the-Lord's Prayer. It begins
seen one, you've seen them all." We take so much for
with the beautiful words, Our Father. This prayer has
granted. Because of hurtful experiences, we adults tend
profound implications for our spiritual lives -
to build barriers to shield ourselves against life's pains.
implications about forgiveness, trust in God, and hope
However, when we try to keep out the pains, we end up
for the future. But one of the most basic implications is
keeping out life, and sometimes even God. Someone
one that we sometimes overlook: If God is our Father,
once said, "The only place we meet God is in the real
we are his children. One time the disciples asked Jesus
world."
to show them someone who displayed the qualities that
he was looking for in his followers (Matt.18:1-5). And
The British writer, Dorothy Sayers wrote the importance
what did Jesus do? He called a little child to him who
of retaining childlike spontaneity and enthusiasm even
was playing nearby, and, putting his arm around her
in our adult years. She said, "Unless you become as little
shoulder, Jesus said to his disciples, "This is the kind of
children, unless you can wake up on your fiftieth
person I want. She has the qualities I'm looking for in
birthday with the same forward-looking excitement and
my disciples." We can only imagine how surprised and
interest in life that you enjoyed when you were five,”
shocked the disciples must have been. They may have
'you cannot enter the kingdom of God.' "
said, "A child? This is a joke, right?" But Jesus assured
them that this was no joke. They reminded Jesus that
This freedom to be ourselves, this spontaneity, should
children were immature, helpless, irresponsible, and
carryover in our relationship with God. This means we
naive. Hadn't he himself run away for three days from
can share with God what we really think and feel, using
his parents? What a worry he had caused them! He
the words we really want to say. St. Therese, the Little
remembered how they scolded him, but he did not take
Flower, encourages us to recognize ourselves as
back what he said to the disciples about children. He
children of God. Through her way of spiritual
was even more emphatic by adding, "I'm telling you,
childhood, she attained Heaven and became a saint of
you will enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless you
the Church.
become like this little child!"
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continued from previous page
She cites the example of how she would fall asleep during early morning prayer in the Convent chapel, but she
had no guilt about this. On the contrary, she said, "God loves us just as much when we are sleeping as when we
are awake." This ability to be comfortable in God’s presence in one way or another, is a sign of her greatness of
soul and spontaneity.
Children have done nothing to merit or earn the love that is poured out on them from the moment they enter the
world, and even before that. Good parents don't love their children because their children deserve their love.
They love their children because they love their children - gratuitously. There is no other way to say it.
Gratuitous love for children - whether that of good parents or good catechists, is a reflection of the kind of love
God has for us.
Jesus calls us to become as little children. Why? Because children are open to life, spontaneous by nature, and
receptive to gratuitous love. It is only fitting, then, that we conclude these thoughts on childlikeness with a few
prayers written by children. These are excerpts from Children's Letters to God by Stuart Hample and Eric
Marshall.
Dear God, in our Religion class they told us what you do. Who does it when you are on vacation? Jane
Dear God, My grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy. How far back do you go?
Love, Dennis
Dear God, I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That
was cool! -Eugene
PAGE 15
GOD'S GIFT TO US OF THE SACRAMENTS
by Sister Joan
Throughout the eight years of the children's religious education, they are presented with knowledge
and love for the Seven Sacraments, and are prepared to receive their First Reconciliation, First
Eucharist, and Confirmation. They are often reminded of their introduction to the Church through
their Baptism as well. Through these special gifts from God, His own divine life can live in us. This
new life that we experience comes from the power, or grace, of the Sacraments. This is the same
power that Jesus used when He healed people during His life on earth. We often say we are
"celebrating" the Sacraments because we are celebrating the presence and touch of God given to
us so we can live fruitful lives. Such lives come from our cooperating with the graces which each
Sacrament gives us. Each one has a special grace attached to it as we make use of the Sacraments.
BAPTISM is the basis of the Christian life. Through it we are freed from sin and
reborn as sons and daughters of God- we become members of Christ …
incorporated into the Church and her mission (Catechism of the Catholic Church)
CONFIRMATION builds up Christians, making the baptized "more perfectly bound
to the Church and enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit., Hence, they
are true witnesses of Christ … obliged to spread and defend the faith." (CCC)
EUCHARIST “Holy Communion is an intimate union with Christ Jesus." (CCC) It is
the heart and summit of faith.
RECONCILIATION "makes it possible for us to obtain "pardon from God's mercy
for the offense committed against him and be reconciled with the Church, which we
have wounded." (CCC)
ANOINTING OF THE SICK "commends those who are ill to the suffering and
glorified Lord'.'(CCC) The grace received is "one of strengthening, peace, and
courage to overcome the difficulties that go with…serious illness or the frailty of old
age." (CCC)
HOLY ORDERS "configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace…so that he
may serve as Christ's instrument for his Church …as a representative of Christ,
Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest, prophet, and king."(CCC)
MATRIMONY The grace proper to matrimony is "intended to perfect the couple's
love and to strengthen their indissoluble unity. By this grace they help one another
to attain holiness in their married life and in welcoming and educating children."
(CCC)
PAGE 16
We share with our REP families photos of some REP classes and activites that the student participated in
during the closing months. The photos here are from the 5th Grade Mock Baptism in which the children took
part to better understand the Baptismal Sacrament.
We Welcome the Newly Baptized
On Tuesday, November 3, 2015 we congratulated our newly baptized Jonathan Luke,
who have been reborn through the sacrament of baptism.
The presider was Deacon Michael Madison.
Presider Deacon Michael Madison
Uncle:
GrandParents:
Aunts:
God Parents: Parents:
Toby Cotner
Greg Vesely & Ashlyn Hall
Rachel Meilenger Mae Scardami Antonio Cladera
Matthew McHugh Justin Puetz & Sarah Lockwood Sarah Wright
Quinn Toomey Charlotte Errico
Baby: Jonathan Luke
Photographer: Toby Cotner
PAGE 17
Parish May Crowning 2016
Parish May Crowning 2016
Sister Adrienne and Sister Joan reading a story
about the Eucharist to REP second graders
during their class.
PAGE 18
FFILL
Faith & Friendship Ignites Love of the Lord
A ministry for K-3rd grade children to help get their
FFILL of fun, faith and friendship.
What:
An evening together to play, pray and learn about faith
in a fun and energetic environment.
When: September 25, 2016, October 123, 2016, January 29, 2017
and
February 26, 2017
All programs are held on Sundays, from 6:00- 7:30 PM.
Where:
Fr. Mackin Center, Our Lady of the Wayside Parish
Interested?
Watch for more information in the Sunday
Bulletin, Monday Memos and REP folders.
Adult volunteers are needed for activity instruction and supervision during the
evenings of the events. If interested, please contact:
Michelle Greazel: [email protected] or (847) 506-1324
Jenny Soehn: [email protected] or (847) 577-8520
PAGE 19
PAGE 20
Join Christian Family Movement
Boost your spiritual health by joining one of OLW’s most vibrant ministries, the
Christian Family Movement. For more than 40 years, CFM has been providing a critical
intersection for OLW parish families at different points in their lives, forging lasting
friendships, and playing a central role in many of the parish’s charitable activities.
It’s never too soon to consider participating. Our small groups for the 2016-17 CFM
year will be forming shortly after the Summer Olympics in Rio conclude in late August,
but we are accepting your interest and inquiries NOW!
Who is in CFM?
There are nearly 100 families in CFM at
OLW. Next year's small group leaders will
be:
Martin & Elizabeth Bauer
Cy & Lois Kabat
John & Kathy Loy
Tom & Meghan Newell
CJ & Mary Catherine Ritterbusch
Jim & Carol Stuber
Jeff & Katie Utech
CFM 2016-17 Calendar
Friday September 9th- Meeting 1
Friday September 23rd- Lasagna Dinner
Friday October 7th- Meeting 2
Friday November 4th- Meeting 3
Nov 24th- Thanksgiving Agape
December 2nd- Meeting 4
Jan 6- Meeting 5
Jan 14th-Chili Cook Off
Feb 3rd- Meeting 6
March 3rd-Meeting 7
April 7th- Meeting 8
How to join CFM?
The CFM Membership team will assemble the
groups for 2016-17 CFM in late August for
our first meeting on September 9th. If you
have any questions, please reach out!
[email protected]
Membership Team
Laura Collins
Mike & Maggie Nolan
Kevin O’Connell
Mike & Christa Schermerhorn
Chair & Asst. Chair Couples
Jay & Jess Cherwin
Geoff & Kelly Ann Colgan
Mission Statement
"Be doers of the word, and not
merely hearers."
James 1:22
PAGE 21
SAVE THE DATE!
Women’s Christ Renews His Parish
Renewal Weekend
Saturday morning, November 5 - Sunday afternoon, November 6
**Weekend limited to 25 participants
Please join us on the journey for a closer connection with God.
All are welcome!
To learn more about C.R.H.P. Email [email protected] or
call the parish office at 253-5353 for specific dates.