The JACC Catechism Group is one of 3 English Catechism Programs that are part of the Parish of St. Francis of Assisi, Jebel Ali. We are excited by the opportunity this website presents to our catechism group as a Christian Community, to share and grow in our catholic faith.Our program provides faith formation for children ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8, i.e. age 4 to 14. Classes are run on Fridays, starting with Catechism Mass at 9:00 am, followed by classes at 10:15 to 11:15 am.

We have witnessed a tremendous interest in our catechism program with lots of new families coming in to register their children in our program. This demand is consistent across all 3 English catechism programs at our Parish – and it is a good thing!

However, our capacity to take in additional children in our program is constrained by available resources – i.e. Catechists and classroom capacity. For this reason, registration for new families is now closed.

Important Dates for Your Calendar

04 May 2012	Classes as Usual / Holy Communion Parents Meeting at 10:30 to 11:00 am
11 May 2012	No classes / Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation
18 May 2012	Classes as usual / Year-end Parents Meeting at 10:30 to 11:15 am in Hall No. 5
25 May 2012	Last day of class / JACC Admin Meeting at 10:30 to 11:15 am

Dear Parents,

We are coming to the end of another catechetical year. Friday, 25 May 2012, will be our last day of catechism classes. The new catechetical year will start in October 2012, with registration commencing in September 2012.

This is my third year with the JACC Catechism Group. I have learned a great deal, and I have also been challenged a great deal too! I have experienced God’s helping hand in a very profound way whilst doing this work, and I remain humbled by this experience. It is a blessing and it is one of the most meaningful things I do.

I am not alone in this ministry ……. I work alongside a wonderful and spirit filled group of catechists, administrators and volunteers who are committed mums and dads like you and I, who volunteer their time and talent, over and above their personal and professional lives, to hand on our catholic faith to our children. I have watched them juggling life issues from - illness, school events, work pressure, house guests, training courses etc), but still faithfully keep their commitment to teach their weekly catechism class. These individuals are truly a great blessing to our Parish and to our individual families. Their effort calls to mind the words of St. Francis of Assisi, when he said “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible!” I must stress, that our Parish would not be able to provide this faith formation program, were it not for these volunteer parents who have responded to the call – to ‘echo’ the word of God.

The call to be a Catechist is one that is open to all parents in our program, as well as all other members of our Parish. I ask you to prayerfully consider joining our team of Catechists in support of our program. We need more Catechists for the next catechetical year.

This year, we have also seen the largest registration numbers across all class levels – which is great! However, it means that places are now scarce for the classes we offer, and the need for more Catechists is even more pressing. Any child registered in our program this year, is automatically moved up to the next catechism class level in the new catechetical year. However, if you are not returning to our program, please let us know so that your child’s spot can be offered to another child. We do have a number of children on our waiting list.

As we all begin to shift our thoughts towards the summer holidays, I pray that the peace of Christ be with you and your family. Keep us in your prayers that we may be able to continue to serve our Parish in this wonderful ministry, for the next catechetical year and beyond.

Before you jump off this page, our parish, through its Family Ministry, needs your feedback on how best they can help you and your family. The Family Ministry Survey Form can be downloaded off this website . Please take a minute to look at this form and send in your feedback, and also remember to visit this website in August, for updates on our registration dates for the new catechetical year in September 2012.

In Christ’s love,
Pauline Oburu

JACC Catechism Group Coordinator

Email: jacc.coordinator@gmail.com

 

A TIME OF GRACE

The world is resplendent with Spring's increased light and new growth. It is Mary’s month in the Easter season and all of nature rejoices with the Queen of heaven at the Resurrection of the Son she was worthy to bear. During the remainder of Easter time, let us endeavor through the prayers of the Holy Liturgy and the Holy Rosary to deepen our gratitude for the mystery of our Baptismal rebirth in Christ.

 

THE HOLY ROSARY

The word Rosary means “Crown of Roses”. Our lady has revealed to several people that each time they say a Hail Mary, they are giving her a beautiful rose, and that each complete Rosary makes her a crown of roses. The Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation. With the Rosary, we meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow and the glory of Jesus and Mary, and invite her to pray with us. Our Lady always grants our requests. She joins Her prayer to ours.

To learn more about the Holy Rosary, please visit. www.theholyrosary.org

THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY

1. The Joyful Mysteries (Monday & Saturday)
2. The luminous Mysteries (Thursday)
3. The Sorrowful Mysteries (Tuesday & Friday)
4. The Glorious Mysteries (Wednesday & Sunday)

HOW TO PRAY THE ROSARY

· While holding the crucifix, make the Sign of the Cross, and then recite the Apostles Creed.

· Recite the Our Father on the first large bead.

· Recite a Hail Mary for an increase in faith,hope and charity on each of the three small beads.

· Recite the Glory Be to the Father on the next large bead.

· Recite the Fatima Prayer “O my Jesus’ on the large bead.

· Recall the first Rosary Mystery and recite the Our Father on the large bead.

· On each of the adjacent ten small beads (also referred to as a decade), recite a Hail Mary while reflecting on the mystery.

· On the next large bead, recite the Glory Be to the Father, and the Fatima Prayer.

· Each succeeding decade is prayed in a similar manner by recalling the appropriate mystery, reciting the Our Father, 10 Hail Marys while reflecting on the mystery, the Glory Be to the Father and the Fatima Prayer.

· When the fifth mystery is completed, the Rosary is customarily concluded with the Hail Holy Queen, and the sign of the Cross.

RECOMMENDED AUDIO CD FOR ADULT FAITH FORMATION

I have enjoyed listening to both these Catholic Lighthouse Media Audio CDs on the Rosary. I highly recommend you obtain a copy. They are available in our piety store for Aed.10.00 each.

   

"The Most Holy Virgin in these last times in which we live has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Rosary to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, whether temporal or above all spiritual, in the personal life of each one of us, of our families...that cannot be solved by the Rosary. There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." Sister Lucia dos Santos

 

Happy Holidays!

Prayerfully,

Pauline Oburu

JACC Catechism Group Coordinator

Email: jacc.coordinator@gmail.com