December Faith Formation Newsletter

 Upcoming Classes & Events

Sunday, December 3rd:        Grades 9-12 Large Group Gathering 6:30-8:00
                                          Christmas Play Practice 5:30-6:15

Wednesday, December 6th:  Grades 1-8

Sunday, December 10th:      Grade 9
                                          Christmas Play Practice 5:30-6:30 

Wednesday, December 13th: Grades 1-8
                                           Communal Penance Service 6 pm 

Sunday, December 17th:       Cello Practice 5:00-5:30
                                           Christmas Play Practice 5:30-6:30
                                           Confirmation Prep. Class 6:30-8:00

Wednesday, December 20th: Christmas Program & Reception 6pm at Taylor Prairie School

Sunday, December 24th:       NO CLASS--Grade 9

Wednesday, December 27th: NO CLASS--Grades 1-8

Sunday, December 31st:       NO CLASS--Grades 1-8 

Grades 9-12 Large Group Gathering 
Attention Parents of High Schoolers! Our 3rd Large Group Gathering is Sunday, December 3rd from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm! We're meeting at the Gebert's house and starting the night with pizza!  Check the email from Kristia for all of the details! 


Christmas Play Practice
We have our play practice the next 3 Sundays from 5:30-6:30!  Please note that we will end at 5:15 on Sunday, December 3rd!  


SCRIP Shop
Thanks to everyone who stopped by the Faith Formation Office on Wednesday and purchased SCRIP!  The special SCRIP shop will be open from 5:30  pm - 7:15 pm on Wednesday, December 6th!  Gift cards make great Christmas gifts!  


We celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on December 8th.  It is a Holy Day of Obligation.  
Mass times are:
Thursday, December 7th 6:00 pm
Friday, December 8th 8:00 am

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Due to the generosity of one of our parishioners, Bernice Thering, all of our grades 1-8 students received their very own Advent calendars!  What a great way to get excited about celebrating the birth of our Savior!  If you see Bernice, please say thank you!  


Christmas Program
Please make sure that December 20th is marked on your calendar for our Christmas Program and Reception.  This year it will take place at Taylor Prairie School in Cottage Grove at 6 pm.  This is considered a class night.  Please consider bringing some cookies to share at the reception.  


Knights of Columbus Christmas Poster Contest 
All students in Grades 1-4 were given information regarding the Knights of Columbus Christmas Poster Contest.  All posters should be returned by December 13th!  Please make sure to use the identification label on the bottom of the information sheet.  


Best Advent Ever
Remember the excitement you felt leading up to Christmas when you were a child?
We have Advent every year—this period of time leading up to Christmas. It’s meant to be a time of preparation. But very often the world steals that time from us in a hundred different ways by distracting us. Don't let this be just another Advent where you get distracted and busy. Rediscover the joy in the season with Dynamic Catholic's email program Best Advent Ever.

Starting December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, you can receive daily emails with short inspirational videos from Matthew Kelly and Allen Hunt, personal, inspiring stories from Dynamic Catholic team members and simple tips to incorporate what you learn into everyday life.
Click on the link below to subscribe to Best Advent Ever now! And tag a friend below who you think may be interested in joining this program.

Sign up for Best Advent Ever here.



Love Begins Here
Interested in signing up your child for Love Begins Here?  Application and deposits are due by December 8th! Please turn them in to the parish office or drop box!   For more information on Love Begins Here, click here.  

High School Teens:       July 8-13     St. John Vianney, Janesville         Approx. Cost:  $150
Middle School Youth:    July 15-18    IHM, Monona                                Approx. Cost:  $110



Catholic Heart Workcamp
We have 1 spot open for our CHWC mission trip!  This is open to any teen who is in 8th grade or above during the 2017-2018 school year.  We are headed to Milwaukee June 10-15.  Approximate cost is $400.  Click here for more information on Catholic Heart Workcamp!   Contact Stephanie or Kristia if your teen is interested! 

Fundraising for Youth Events
There will be many fundraising opportunities for anyone participating in any of the youth events we are offering this year.  Please contact Stephanie or Kristia for more information.  


Do You Order From Schwan's 
If you order from Schwan's, would you please use our St. Patrick Faith Formation Fundraiser ID?  Starting on November 15th, we will earn 20% of food sales and 40% of e-gift cards for 45 days!  After the 45 days, we will continue to earn 5% of food sales for an additional 90 days!  Thanks for your support!  Click on the following link to go directly to our Schwan's fundraising page:  https://www.schwans-cares.com/campaigns/34884-st-patrick-church-faith-formation


Remind App
If you haven't signed up to receive St. Patrick Faith Formation text reminders, here's how:
Grades 1-8: Text @spff18 to 81010
Grade 9: Text @spff9 to 81010
Grades 10-12: Text @spff10-12 to 81010
Confirmation 2:  Text @spffc2 to 81010

Registration & Sacramental Preparation Fees
Fees can either be sent in with your child to be given to his or her catechist, or they can be dropped off in the Faith Formation office.   Please contact Stephanie or Kristia with any questions about your invoice. 

Forms
Please make sure that you have turned in all of the necessary paperwork. Here is what we need on file for each family:
Photo Form
Handbook Form (last page of the handbook)
Baptismal Certificate (if not baptized at St. Patrick)
If we are missing any of the above items, your family will be receive a reminder email.