For more information or to get the handout materials please contact Allison.

abuff@charlestowncatholic.org

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION DATES

Important Dates :

Hello Parents,
We have a few families that have signed up for the April 21st End of the Year Mass. 😀
Unfortunately, many of you couldn’t sign up due to vacation.
Fr. John has added an additional End of the Year Mass – Sunday, April 28 at 6pm – St Mary’s .

Please sign up here for April 28th :
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FA8AD22A0F9CF8-48547179-endofyear#/

Please sign up here for April 21st:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4FA8AD22A0F9CF8-48536229-endofthe#/

***Please note that you can sign up for both.***
*** Ice Cream will be served after mass

Allison Buff

Dear Parents,

As we head into year end, I wanted to make you aware that I will be stepping away from my position of K-4 Religious Education Director. After careful consideration, I have decided to embark on a new journey which will afford me many positive opportunities. I am excited about this new path. Let me assure you that I will remain by your side throughout April and 1st Holy Communion. Please know that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working for the Charlestown Catholic Collaborative and that I have appreciated all the help and guidance you have offered me throughout our 14 + classes. You have been amazing.

As I reflect on my time here, I can’t help but have fond memories of the many children that have crossed the Parish Center threshold with smiles on their faces, both on their way in and out of their Tuesday’s classes. As a team, we have provided a safe haven for children, where all are welcome to learn about God and the Catholic faith. We have built on the curriculum making it even better for my successor next year.

I have made some great memories and friends during my time here and I will cherish you forever.

I will do my best to ensure a smooth and seamless transition by working closely with Fr. John to prepare for my successor and for all that next year will bring.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions.

Warm Regards,

Allison Buff

First Holy Communion will take place:
Saturday, May 4th at 10am at St. Mary’s and
Sunday, May 5th at 9:30am at St. Francis de Sales

abuff@charlestowncatholic.org

– Here’s the final class update from last night’s Youth Group –

The class began with a session on Envy & Gratitude and involved a discussion on how to turn envy into gratitude. For example, instead of looking out on the world and seeing only ourselves, we should look out on the world and see the Goodness of God, in a million wondrous ways! We also watched some funny and familiar video clips that were on point about envy and gratitude. Then, we turned the discussion to Pride & Humility and reviewed what it means to be humble, particularly being guided by the simple and beautiful words of St. Francis of Assisi, “For it is giving that we receive.”
Thank you to Reilly and Kyla for co-leading a fun and interactive class with Kerry last night and also for sharing their personal experiences about being confirmation candidates this year. Thank you to Father John for joining us at last night’s discussion and sharing his understanding of humility. Finally, a very special acknowledgement goes to Kerry for teaching Youth Group all year and so well, and for leading us with her insights and guidance at each class and with the very meaningful and well-received service projects that she helped oversee!
Kudos to Katie and Janna for bringing pizza and water for all to enjoy!
With many thanks and much gratitude,
~ Cynthia Markey

Confirmation dates are set for Saturday, April 27th at St. Mary-St. Catherine’s (4:00 pm Mass) and Sunday, April 28th at St. Francis de Sales
(9:30 am Mass).

NEWS FROM OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CHILDREN’s CHOIR

Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for having your child participate in the Christmas Eve Mass. The response was overwhelming by parishioners about how much their singing enriched the experience. I hope the children enjoyed themselves, and learned something too. I definitely loved having them, and look forward to creating more opportunities for them to sing.
Looking ahead to spring, we will be hosting the very first all-youth mass at St. Mary for both parishes. This will happen during the 11 am mass on Sunday, June 2nd at St. Mary Parish. Students will be assisting in leading the Mass through the gathering, offertory, communion and recessional hymns, while Jean sings the Mass parts. There will be opportunities for solos during the psalm, if the timing works out and children prepare at home. This is a very exciting undertaking which we hope will grow the ministry long term.
If your child would like to continue on with the choir, please email Alison Buff, Faith
Formation leader, or Jean Grace, Children’s Choir Director Jeangrace@yahoo.com.
If you have any other families you know with children that may be interested, please feel
free to have them reach out to either one of us. Additionally, if your child plays an
instruments, let us know!
On behalf of the Charlestown Catholic Collaborative Music Department, I am truly grateful.
Sincerely,
Jean Grace
Youth Choir Director and 6PM Cantor

Class calendar is subject to change. Please check this page weekly.

Revised January 17th, 2024