Summer is over and the school year is well on its way. We are back to the usual routines expected at this time of the year! The parish follows, more or less, on the same lines as we prepare ourselves for this liturgical year - although our Summer at the parish was pretty busy. Again, this is the time when we prepare for the Children's Catechism/Liturgy Classes, our RCIA Program, as well as, the marriage Preparation Course. In fact, on Sunday, October 15th we will resume our Children's Liturgy and Catechism. Some important dates have already been set. First Holy Comunion will be on held Sunday, May 6th, while Confirmation will be on Saturday, June 2nd. Please record these important dates on your calendar for future reference. On Sunday, October 15, 2000 after the 12.00 (noon) Mass, we will be having the first meeting with both parents and children regarding these two sacraments. I strongly encourage all parents and prospective candidates to attend since important information will be made available. Please note that Cardinal Ambrosic insists that the formation of children for the Sacraments of Initiation is the responsibility of the parents. It is understood that for this the parents need the support of both school and parish. Again, the Cardinal indicates that although the schools prepare the candidates, the sacraments should be received in the parish they normally attend as a family. This is the parish the children feel close too as a 'family unit' because of their family affiliation. In essence, then the sacraments are definitely parish oriented. The significance of this is that the child should feel a part of the larger family where he/she grew up. Usually, this is the church where their life journey has started out with the sacrament of Baptism. So, please, explain to your children the importance of belonging to their family parish regardless of whether the school belongs to that parish or not! In our case, as Maltese-Canadians, we have both a personal and national parish, and as such we are entitled to receive our sacraments at St. Paul's. In fact, we are encouraged to do this, since this is our "mother-parish"! It's the parish we grew up in as a Maltese-Canadian community. Please take the time to explain to your child the significance of this concept. This has nothing to do with having a larger group of children receive the sacraments at our church, but rather a way of keeping us together as a family who initiated our life in this spiritual community. Our parish will make sure that together with the schools your children will receive the best formation possible for their Christian upbringing and spiritual maturity. This will keep our parish vibrant, young and alive within the context of who we really are! The Children's Liturgy on Sundays will be lead by an eager group of young people. Please do not look on this Liturgy as a "baby-sitting" time out, but rather a special time when younger children receive the Word of God at their own level, in a meaningful and practical way! We encourage all of our children to participate fully. Parents, for this we need your positive encouragement. This could be done through explaining the significance to your child of participating in a respectful way. Again, as parents you are encouraged to keep open lines with our young instructors. Any young people who would like to perform this lead role please get in touch with one of the priests. We need you! To all of our youth and children - have a great year. May God bless you all! Last updated: Friday, October 20, 2000