October 20-27 Update

Greetings everyone,

We started off class with "Baba Yetu", the Lord's Prayer sung in Swahili, which Paul heard on the day he graduated from Valparaiso University.  Here's the video if you want to watch it again:

Then, we heard from our special guest speaker, Mrs. Baer, an Ascension parishioner.  She talked about what faith means to her in life and in her work as a special education teacher at OPRFHS.  She also shared about her trip to Israel a few months ago, including photos.

Subsequently, we spent time on Scripture.  We looked at the Gospel reading for this coming Sunday, Matthew 22:34-40.  We also briefly looked at Deuteronomy 6:4-5, which Jesus mentions in the Gospel reading.

The activity for this week is an opportunity for you to spend time reflecting on Scripture.

Here's the link for the submission form, which includes the instructions for what options you have.

It is due by class time on October 27.  Please be sure to complete it by then so you don't fall behind with these activities.

Also, if you haven't had the chance yet, you can still sign-up to help out with the Coat Drive.  Here's the sign-up link.

Thanks to those of you who volunteered last weekend, especially on the rainy Sunday.

Here is a link to the Ascension Parish Confirmation webpage.

If you click on the header entitled "Calendar, Online Forms, Documents", in the drop-down menu will appear the link "Activity Online Submissions" that goes to a form for logging faith boosters and service hours.

We look forward to seeing you in class this coming Tuesday.  As usual, the Zoom access info, which was sent to your parents, remains the same.

We pray your week is blessed as you open yourselves up to encountering God's presence.

Today, October 22, is the Feast of Pope St. John Paul II, who was installed as Pope on October 22, 1978.  Throughout his ministry from the priesthood to the papacy, he cared deeply about young people, wanting to encourage them in faith, and in an effort to do so, one initiative he started was World Youth Day.  May he intercede for you, so that you grow strong in faith.

This past weekend, Paul visited Five Holy Martyrs Church on Chicago's Southwest Side, where Pope St. John Paul II celebrated Mass when he visited Chicago in October 1979.  The altar for that outdoor parking lot Mass is still there, as you can see in the photo below, and includes a phrase from the Bible which he became famous for saying: "Do not be afraid!"

We all remain connected:

Mita Kuye Oyasin,

All my relations,

Debbie Lopez

Paul Rubio

P.S. From our class on October 13, some of you wanted to know more about Christian schools.

Here is a list of Christian universities.

Here is a list of Roman Catholic universities.

Here again are the answers to the exit slip questions from October 13.

Will we have to complete any worksheets during class?

The activities during the week will be more reflective, rather than answering rote questions about content.

Is the Holy Spirit the essence of belief?

I'm not fully sure what this means, but the Holy Spirit is the presence of God within us that makes real all that we believe.

How many service hours are we doing?

10 hours

When are we being confirmed?

Confirmation is scheduled for Saturday, February 6, 2021, at 10:30 AM for RE students.

Is the parade with Pope Francis still a thing?

Outside of a pandemic, he has motorcade rides in St. Peter’s Square, and special rides to greet the crowds in cities he visits.

What do you like on your pizza?

I, Paul, like ground beef or Italian beef with green peppers, kind of like a sandwich on pizza.  That's what I had recently from DiNico's to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of my Confirmation, as is shown in the photo below.

The exit slip questions from October 20 will be addressed in our upcoming class.