TWENTY SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

KidsRelig--God's Construction Site

If you build it, they will come.  But the lesson of today’s gospel parable is:  Not really!!!  A tough lesson for God.  So tough, that he refused to learn it.  He refused to be thrown off the construction site and just kept on building—bigger and better.  Flesh and Blood is the cornerstone of his building and of every stone laid upon it.

KidsRelig is a lot of things—a school of religious education, a good place to hang out at the end of the regular school day, Catholic fun and games, a parish program supported by many parents and made possible by dedicated volunteers.  But most of all, it’s God’s construction site.  And this week, we’re putting our hard hats on, because we’re shovel-ready! 

Opening Days for KidsRelig

Tuesday, October 4:          Bell                      2:45

                                            Westorchard       3:45

Wednesday, Octorber 5:   Grafflin                3:45

Thursday, October 6:        Seven Bridges    2:45

                                            Roaring Brook    3:45

OPEN HOUSE FOR FIRST GRADERS

We would like to welcome in a special way all of the First Graders who will be joining us at KidsRelig.  So please come this Sunday to an Open House just for you (and your parents):

Sunday

October 2^nd

After the 10:30 Mass

Community Room A&B

      Love,

Deacon Charlie

TWENTY SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Flip-flop—the ultimate sin in our current political climate.  And yet, for Jesus, no sin at all.  In fact, it’s just what he’s looking for in today’s gospel—a change of mind. 

As we prepare for the opening days of KidsRelig and I read through all the kids’ names over and over again, I think of the challenge of changing minds.  And I don’t just mean confronting the competing interests in the broader culture and convincing the kids that there are real choices to be made that may put them at odds with the crowd.  Sure, that’s our job, and a tough one at that.  But it’s more.  It’s creating a mindfulness in our kids that their minds are neither the only minds nor the only minds that count.  It’s the  mindfulness of God that never leaves us alone and always makes us pay attention.  Now, there’s a change of mind!

Opening Days for KidsRelig

Tuesday, October 4:          Bell                      2:45

                                            Westorchard       3:45

Wednesday, Octorber 5:   Grafflin                3:45

Thursday, October 6:        Seven Bridges    2:45

                                            Roaring Brook    3:45

OPEN HOUSE FOR FIRST GRADERS

We would like to welcome in a special way all of the First Graders who will be joining us at KidsRelig.  So please come next Sunday to an Open House just for you (and your parents):

Sunday

October 2^nd

After the 10:30 Mass

Community Room A&B

                                               
The KidsRelig Litany

·   Register for KidsRelig . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage

·   Register for the KidsRelig Bus . . . online at the Parish Web(www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage

·   Pay by credit card . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage

·   KidsRelig Calendar . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage ; Calendar Link on right of Religious Education Page

·      KidsRelig Blog . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage; Blog Link on right of Religious Education Page

Love,

Deacon Charlie

TWENTY FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

And they said to Jesus, “No one has hired us,” He answered, “You too go into my vineyard.”  Couldn’t have ordered a better gospel for this Sunday!!!

KidsRelig is hiring.  Our most pressing need is for 3 classroom teachers:

• 3^rd Grade Tuesday at 3:45
• 3^rd Grade Wednesday at 3:45
• 4^th Grade Thursday at 3:45

I can’t stress enough that this is not a luxury, but an absolute necessity if we are going to keep our class sizes appropriately small.  So, please contact me as soon as possible if you can go into the “vineyard.”  And trust me; we’ll hire you.

More on the subject of hiring, but moving from need to luxury.  Ours would be a happier, deeper, richer and more efficient program if we had the following:

• A list of substitute teachers
• A list of teacher helpers for elementaries
• Bulletin Board Decorators

All of these are part-time positions, i.e., as needed.  It is so important, however, to know that there is a deep bench we can go to.  By “teacher helpers,” I mean someone who could just be around during the 3 elementary sessions to take little ones to the bathroom or help with band aids or sit with a tummy ache until mom or dad comes to pick up early. 

Please consider our need for teachers and those part-time luxury items and contact me as soon as you can at:

kidsrlig@optimum.net

or

(914)238-3260

And thanks!

  

The KidsRelig Litany

·   Register for KidsRelig . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage

·   Register for the KidsRelig Bus . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage

·   Pay by credit card . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage

·   KidsRelig Calendar . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage ; Calendar Link on right of Religious Education Page

·   KidsRelig Opening Days . . . on the calendar:  October 4, 5, 6

·   KidsRelig Blog . . . online at the Parish Web (www.sjsmrcc.com) and click on the Religious Education tab on left of homepage; Blog Link on right of Religious Education Page

Love,

Deacon Charlie

TWENTY FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Lead with your heart.  That’s how Jesus sums up his policy on the debt crisis in today’s gospel.  Sounds like fuzzy thinking and bad economics.  Or is it simply basic, Catholic social teaching—a preference for the poor?  Nothing fuzzy; nothing bad.  And certainly not easy, because leading with the heart demands sacrifice—self-sacrifice.

THE BUS TO KIDSRELIG

Emails have gone out from the Parent Committee and from us at KidsRelig.  Information about Bus Registration and the Registration Form are available on the Parish Website:

• You can click >>>HERE and go directly to the Bus Information and Registration Form
• Or go to the Parish website at www.sjsmrcc.com and click on the Religious Education tab on the left 
• On the Religious Education Page, click on the link with the Yellow School Bus for Bus Information and Registration Form

KidsRelig On-line Registration Reaches

75%

Please, please, please . . . register now and use the new credit card payment option.

*Go to Parish Website (www.sjsmrcc.com)

*Click Religious Education--CCD tab on left

*Read letter on Religious Education Page

*Go to top of page and find  two links to:

1.  On-line Registration Form
2. Fees & Payment Options Page

It’s quick; it’s easy, and it’s critically important to us in forming classes, getting teachers in the classrooms, planning the year and setting up our classrooms. 

Love,

Deacon Charlie

TWENTY SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

When it comes to volatility, the Stock Market has nothing on Peter. Remember last week? He was “blessed.” This week, his stock takes a nose dive. He’s “Satan.” Why? Not because he’s such a bad guy, but because he doesn’t have his head on straight. He’s stuck in the human mind-set and can’t get into the mind of God. Can you blame him? Not exactly easy, especially when Jesus gives this sneak preview: You got to lose it all to win it all.

What kind of a God-thought is that? It’s not just a God-thought; it’s a God-act. Evil must not be avoided; it must be challenged. And when challenged, a cross will appear. Don’t be afraid. Go for it. In fact, throw everything you got onto it. And if you do, you will come down from that cross alive, having defeated evil and the death it promises. Quite an act to follow! And quite a win!

2011-2012

KidsRelig Calendar

Check it out on the Religious Education Page of the Parish Website.

• Go to www.sjsmrcc.com
• Click Religious Education tab on the left
• Click KidsRelig Calendar link on the right

At the bottom of the Calendar, tab to the month you want. Start with October, since . . .

FIRST DAY OF KIDSRELIG IS

OCTOBER 4^TH

All scheduled class days and times, “no class” days, holiday and recess days are on the Calendar. And other important dates: First Penance, First Communion, Lenten Confessions and Stations of the Cross.

KidsRelig On-line Registration At

50%

Please, please, please . . . register now and use the new credit card payment option.

*Go to Parish Website (www.sjsmrcc.com) *Click Religious Education--CCD tab on left

*Read letter on Religious Education Page

*Go to top of page and find two links to:

1. On-line Registration Form
2. Fees & Payment Options Page

It’s quick; it’s easy, and it’s critically important to us in forming classes, getting teachers in the classrooms, planning the year and setting up our classrooms.

THE BUS TO KIDSRELIG

Every year, a Volunteer Parent Committee arranges for bus service to (but not from) KidsRelig for Seven Bridges and the 3 Chappaqua elementary schools. This service is not provided by the parish. We are always grateful for all the hard work of the Committee in making these arrangements.

Watch your email inboxes within the next week for information about the bus service. And please register as soon as possible.

Love,

Deacon Charlie

TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Peter gets a nickname—“Rock!” Why? Not because he is strong and unshakeable. Remember two weeks ago when he took a trip on the water, and I mean a trip. Not because he is steady and firm. Wait until next week when “blessed” turns to “Satan.” And certainly not because he is reliable. Who can forget the big denial!

Peter gets his nickname because by his faith he allows God’s revelation of his Son to be written in stone. The Letter to the Hebrews tells us that faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. With all his warts, Peter proves that we as Church can make what we hope for as real, and what is unseen as evident, as a rock. Jesus the Christ!

2011-2012

KidsRelig Calendar

It’s here! Where? On the Religious Education Page of the Parish Website.

• Go to www.sjsmrcc.com
• Click Religious Education tab on the left
• Click KidsRelig Calendar link on the right

At the bottom of the Calendar, tab to the month you want. Go right to October, since . . .

FIRST DAY OF KIDSRELIG IS

OCTOBER 4^TH

All scheduled class days and times, “no class” days, holiday and recess days, the dates of First Penance and First Communion, Lenten Confessions and Stations of the Cross are on the calendar right now. As the year goes on, other events will be added, which will remain available for easy and quick access on the Parish Website.

KidsRelig On-line Registration

40% Registered

Please register now and use the new credit card payment option.

*Go to Parish Website (www.sjsmrcc.com) *Click Religious Education--CCD tab on left

*Read letter on Religious Education Page

*Go to top of page and find two links to:

1. On-line Registration Form
2. Fees & Payment Options Page

It’s quick; it’s easy, and it’s a big help to us in forming classes, getting teachers in the classrooms, planning the year and setting up our classrooms.

THE BUS TO KIDSRELIG

Every year, a Volunteer Parent Committee arranges for bus service to (and not from) KidsRelig for Seven Bridges and the 3 Chappaqua elementary schools. This service is not provided by the parish. We are always grateful for all the hard work of the Committee in making these arrangements.

Watch your email inboxes within the next week for information about the bus service. And please register as soon as possible.

Love,

Deacon Charlie

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

KidsRelig On-line Registrationat 35%

Please Register Now

&

Use the New Credit Card Payment Option.

*Go to Parish Website (www.sjsmrcc.com) *Click Religious Education--CCD tab on left

*Read letter on Religious Education Page

*Go to top of page and find two links to:

1. On-line Registration Form
2. Fees & Payment Options Page

It’s quick; it’s easy, and it’s a big help to us in forming classes, getting teachers in the classrooms, planning the year and setting up our classrooms.

2011-2012

KidsRelig Calendar

It’s here! Where? On the Religious Education Page of the Parish Website.

• Go to www.sjsmrcc.com
• Click Religious Education tab on the left
• Click KidsRelig Calendar link on the right

At the bottom of the Calendar, tab to the month you want. Go right to October, since . . .

FIRST DAY OF KIDSRELIG IS

OCTOBER 4^TH

All scheduled class days and times, “no class” days, holiday and recess days, the dates of First Penance and First Communion, Lenten Confessions and Stations of the Cross are on the calendar right now. As the year goes on, other events will be added, which will remain available for easy and quick access on the Parish Website.

This Week’s Gospel—A Non-Jewish Woman Asks Jesus to Cure Her Daughter (Mt 15.21-28)

Scandalizing—that’s what this week’s gospel is. And not because of the poor woman who wanted a few scraps like a dog. But because of Jesus, who wouldn’t even give her a few scraps. Why? Because all of us human beings build such high walls to divide ourselves from each other that not even God could breach them. (After all, the woman was a Canaanite, as foreign as the Sharks to the Jets in West Side Story.) But what does breach the divide? Faith! Even a scandalous God could be touched by faith and reach across the human divide with the release of a miracle.

Sounds so simple, but it is both a terrible and awesome story. We have the power to build divisions that can even keep out God. And the power to destroy them and let miracles happen. Terrible and awesome, and ours to believe or not.

Love,

Deacon Charlie