News Around the Parish
Congratulations to our Jr. High Youth Ministry Program – In the March 2014 issue of “Today’s Catholic Teacher,” St. Brendan’s Jr. High Youth Ministry Program received recognition for their work and won an award in the category of Innovative Project Promoting Catholic Identity. Each year, this magazine honors 12 Catholic elementary and secondary schools throughout the nation that have led the way by implementing exemplary, innovative programs to improve the teaching and learning of their students, faculty and staffs. The judging committee of the University of Dayton credited our former pastoral associate, Sr. Necy Guan, and our principal, Mrs. Carol Grewal, in making the idea of Fr. Parenti become a reality. Fr. Parenti wanted to encourage school children to become more involved with the parish. But because many after school and weekend activities prevented the students from participating, Sr. Necy and Carol decided to incorporate a Jr. High program within the school curriculum.
Our adult volunteers, Stacey Simpson and Gus Del Puerto would meet with the students once a month to help them explore ways in which God is a part of their everyday lives. The article reported that “Student-designed group activities focus on prayer, stewardship, leadership and more. Activities have included composing Thanksgiving prayers for a prayer book, creating game shows with religious themes, and creating holiday decorations. Designing Christmas cards for hospital patients, filling Christmas stockings for homeless shelter residents, and making sandwiches for the St. Vincent de Paul Society are among the service activities.” It further credits the Youth Ministry program as helping our students in their overall score in the National Religious Education Assessment. Our 8th graders score an average of 20% higher than the average National Catholic Education Association’s (NCEA) Assessment of Catechesis/Religious Education (ACRE) test score. Congratulations Mrs. Grewal, Mrs. Stacey Simpson, Mr. Gus Del Puerto and our Junior High Teachers for a job well done!
Upcoming Lenten Events – These are a few of our upcoming Lenten activities:
Wed., March 5 is Ash Wednesday. In addition to the regular weekday masses at 6:30am & 7:30am, this day, you’re also invited to join our students for mass at 8:30am. Or later in the day, there will also be a mass at 12pm & 6pm.
This year, beginning on Wed., 3/12, after the Wednesday night soup supper @ 6pm, we’ll have Fr.
Robert Barron’s excellent video on “The 7 Deadly Sins and the 7 Lively Virtues.” This reflection will be given within the context of Exposition & Benediction.
On the Fridays of Lent at 7pm, we’ll have the Stations of the Cross followed immediately with a Taize meditation and veneration of the Cross. Come and join our musicians in this rich and prayerful worship.
Faith Sharing Book Club, reflecting on Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel.” Sign-up this weekend after masses, or pick up a book and read it on your own. A free copy can also be downloaded from the Vatican website.
Lenten Retreats for married couples: Thurs., 3/27, from 7-9pm – a mini-retreat for couples led by Greg & Julie Alexander, whose marriage nearly ended with divorce, except by the grace of God.
Now they share their success and God’s blessing with others. Cost is free will. Sat., 3/29 from 8:30 – 3:30pm @ St. Bartholomew in San Mateo or Sat., 4/5 @ St. Raymond in Dublin. A full day retreat by the same couple. You can register on-line at www.marriageonfire.info. Cost is $65.
Parish Lenten retreat: Sat., 3/29, 9-2pm by Archbishop Emeritus George Niederauer on Pope Francis’“Joy of the Gospel”
Fr. Dan
