St. Patrick's Day Family Bingo

Sunday, March 14, 2010

3-5pm in the Multipurpose Room

Bring the entire family for snacks, fun, and prizes. Every child will be sure to get a prize by the end of the afternoon. A $5 donation per family is suggested to cover costs. RSVP to Jen G gordonfamily5@comcast.net or Jen P jrpayan@surewest.net so we can get an idea of how many families to plan for.

We are also looking for prize donations (small toys, games, picture frames, candles, ect). Any little gifty thing you may have that never good used (yes, it is OK to regift!!) or some gently used toys for the kids. You can get them to Jen or Jen anytime before the event. Thanks you!

SNOW DAY AT YUBA GAP SNO-PARK

Or, the "Gordon/Simmons" photo shoot...

On Saturday, Family Ministry headed up to the Yuba Gap Sno-Park for a little fun in the snow. Unfortunately, at the last minute, many families had to cancel their plans to join us due to schedules conflicts, sick children or concerns about the weather. We were sorry that more families couldn't make it, but we do hope that all sick kiddos (and husbands) are on the mend.

Fear not, the Gordon's and the Simmon's had a GREAT time!

Snacks packed, snow sleds and discs in hand & and warm clothing...we couldn't have expected a better day. There were plenty of sleds, discs and tubes to go around. The kids had a blast finding all kinds of ways to come down the hill. They searched new runs, higher ones and faster ones. Runs for the big kids and runs for the little ones too. Snowball fights, snow angels, snowman making and even a face for the tree! I am not sure how many times they went up and down the hill but suffice it to say, it was a quiet ride home in the car and early to bed that night for my family.

We enjoyed the nicest weather (including a beautiful snowfall) and many slope sledding hours without getting much of chili at all. Most of all, we had a great time just being together, watching the kids smiling faces and hearing their genuine laughter. It was nice visiting time with one another and know that this is just the first of many more Family Ministry trips to the snow!

Good times, Good friends and Good families!

Lenten Activities for your family...

I hope your Lent is off to a good start. The web has many Lenten activities for kids and families. Here are just a few for you to check out. ENJOY!

CatholicMom.com has art projects, coloring sheets, games and even some recipes. They have more under lesson plans.

Most kids love to help in the kitchen and the Catholic Cuisine blog has recipes that carry you through the liturgical year. See what they are cooking up for Lent.

Part of a large site by a Passionist, here are Lenten prayers for children. They also include a Stations of the Cross for Children.

Sign up for Holy Heroes and your kids can get daily emails of Lenten activities.


Here is a link to a 40 day calender to help keep you on track and thinking about doing something each day: http://catechistsjourney.loyolapress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/MY-LENTEN-CALENDAR-2010.pdf


There is so much more out there to further our walk with the Lord this season. In case you were looking for a jump-start, these are some sites/suggestions that just might help.

If you have a favorite Lenten resource for kids that isn't listed here, please leave it in a comment!


I hope and pray you all have a blessed Lent.

ASH WEDNESDAY

Fast and feast in Lent...

Lent can be more than a time of fasting, it can be a season of feasting. We can use Lent to fast from certain things and to feast on others. It is a season in which we can:

• Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.

• Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of life.

• Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

• Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.

• Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

• Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

• Fast from anger; feast on patience.

• Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

• Fast from worry; feast on divine order.

• Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

• Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

• Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

• Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.

• Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

• Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

• Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

• Fast from discouragements; feast on hope.

• Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift.

• Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

• Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

• Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.

• Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

• Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds.

(Reprinted from Marist Messenger, March 2003)

SNOW MUCH FUN!

Family Ministry is heading up to Yuba Gap for a day of fun in the snow!

February 20th, 2010 from 8:15 AM to until...whenever we/you decide your family is done.
There will be sledding, snow ball fighting, a snowman building contest, and hot cocoa.

Due to the possible weekend crowd...we will head out early. If you want to carpool up with other families, we will meet in the church parking lot at 8:15am and leave promptly at 8:30am. To save time (and perhaps a hassle) you can purchase your "Daily Parking Pass" at REI in Roseville. The cost is $5 for the day. Otherwise you can purchase a pass when we arrive. Dress appropriately! You may want to bring a change of clothes, especially if you do not have snow gear to keep you dry. Don't forget to bring any snow-play equipment that you have. You may also want to bring an item or two for our snowman building contest.

Depending on how many families attend and who might be interested, we could stop in the way back home and enjoy pizza together in Auburn or ???.

Please RSVP and let me know if you want to carpool from the church or if you will head up on your own.

41776 Yuba Gap Dr.Emigrant Gap, CA 95715

DIRECTIONS
ATTENTION: Directions to the Sno-Park found on most mapping programs send you to Emigrant Gap. DO NOT EXIT FREEWAY AT EMIGRANT GAP - THERE IS NO TURN-AROUND. EXIT YUBA GAP INSTEAD.

I-80 East from Sacramento: Take Yuba Gap Exit, 30 miles east of Colfax. Turn right, follow the road to the 'Y' and stay left. Follow signs to the Sno-Park gate, approximately 1 mile from freeway.

Hope you will join us! Please feel free to email me with questions (gordonfamily5@comcast.net)