Dear Brothers and Sisters,
know that as we have rejoiced at
the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
so by leave of God’s mercy,
we announce to you now the joy of his Resurrection,
who is our Savior.
On the First Day of March will fall Ash Wednesday,
and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season.
On the Sixteenth Day of April,
we will joyfully celebrate Easter Sunday,
the Paschal Feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the Twenty-Fifth Day of May,
the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the Fourth Day of June, the Feast of Pentecost.
On the Eighteenth Day of June,
the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
On the Third Day of December,
the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen!

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The Assisi Project
Tenth Annual Fall Pilgrimage
November 3rd-November 10th

For the tenth consecutive year, Father Jim Achadinha, Cliff Garvey, and the Assisi Project are sponsoring a week-long, small-group pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy. Each year, our pilgrims have literally walked in the footsteps of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. This year, from November 3rd through November 11th, we will journey again to Assisi and to the Franciscan Sanctuary at La Verna. There may even be one or two surprises in store in celebration of our tenth anniversary!

Each morning, we will begin with Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours and Mass. Father Jim celebrates Masses at the Basilica of Saint Francis, the Basilica of Our Lady of Angels, the Carceri Hermitage, and the Sanctuary at La Verna. Each afternoon, our pilgrims will have the free time and guidance to explore Assisi at their own pace and to visit its many churches, cafes, museums, and shops. Each evening, we will gather for supper, followed by Evening Prayer, a reflection, and faith sharing.

As a fellowship of pilgrims, we will explore the historic Basilicas of Saint Francis and Saint Clare. Each of these great basilicas contains the tombs of the saints, holy relics, priceless frescoes and other works of art, along with quiet chapels for personal prayer and worship. We will also visit the Basilica of Saint Rufino, where Francis and Clare were baptized; the Church of Saint Damian where Christ spoke to Francis and hastened his conversion; the Carceri Hermitage where Francis and his first followers retreated for prayer and contemplation; and the chapel known as the Porziuncola, which is considered the home church of the worldwide Franciscan community.

In addition, we will spend leisurely afternoons in and around the Piazza del Commune, Assisi’s city center, with its ancient Roman temple (now a Catholic Church), sidewalk cafes, restaurants, and shops. Our more adventurous pilgrims will also have a chance to visit the Rocca Maggiore, the great medieval fortress with its stunning views of Assisi, the Spoleto Valley, and Mount Subasio. And finally, we will travel to La Verna, the mountain sanctuary in Tuscany, where Saint Francis received the stigmata. At La Verna, we will celebrate Mass, have lunch, and participate in the daily procession that commemorates how Saint Francis received the five wounds of the Crucified Christ.

The cost of this extraordinary pilgrimage is $3,399 per person and includes roundtrip airfare & fees; ground transportation (except personal taxi services); guest house accommodations (single room & bathroom); and all meals in the guest house. Please note that this pilgrimage involves some strenuous physical activity, including walking up and down steep hills and stairways. In addition, access to many pilgrimage sites in Italy is limited for those with physical disabilities. For more information, please contact Cliff Garvey at cgarvey@ccgronline.com. Space is very limited! Please join us!

Learn More: Pilgrimage Registration Form (2017)

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Youth Faith Formation
Confirmation Preparation Program
Begins February 5th

For too many teenagers, Confirmation has sadly become a kind of graduation from the Church, rather than the joyful beginning of life as an adult disciple in the Church. We hope to end this tragic ambivalence by transforming sacramental preparation into an engaging process for the whole family. First, we will place primary focus on attending Mass. For more than a century, the Church has asked every parish to provide a sacramental preparation program for children. During recent decades, however, we have neglected to remind parents of their baptismal promise to be the first teachers of their children in all matters related to faith and morals; and that the most important component of that responsibility is attending Mass as a family. In our increasingly busy world, its has become common for parents to entrust their children to us for an hour of instruction but not join us for Mass each weekend. So, we will continue to ask parents to dedicate one hour each week to their child’s religious education — by bringing them to church!

In addition, all high school students (beginning in the ninth grade) are invited to participate in our two-year program of formation that will prepare them to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. During the first year, students will participate in a series of interactive workshops about the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. These sessions will begin on Sunday, February 5th and coincide with our weekend Mass schedule. During the second year, students will participate in four additional workshops (and a four hour mini-retreat) designed to help them grow in prayer, fellowship, and service; to prepare them to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit; and to jumpstart their lives as faith-filled young adult disciples. If your child is currently in high school and wants to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, please complete a registration form (see link below) and return it to us as soon as possible. For more information, please contact Betsy Works at bworks@ccgronline.com. Please join us! All are invited! All are welcome!

Learn More: Confirmation Registration & Calendar 2017

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Pastor’s Note of Special Thanks
To Some Very Special People