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Parish News
Letter From
Bishop Dorn
Concerning HHS Regulations

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YCIA (Young Catholics in Action)
Steubenville Youth Retreat
We have reserved spots for 15 youth to attend the Steubenville Youth Retreat at Steubenville Franciscan University this June 15-17, 2012. This is an absolutely incredible experience for teens and many who have attended have said it was life changing for them. The cost is $175 and this covers transportation, lodging and food. A $40 deposit is due now with the balance due by 4/27/2012. If you would like to sign up please contact Lana at 815-222-0259 or the church office for more information.
Stepping Up To Help The Youth
Many of you may have seen the new art board in the back of the church highlighting the goals for our YCIA youth group. In order to achieve these goals they must raise the funds. This board has "steps" that can be purchased for a $50 donation and your name (or family's name) will be written in on a step to show your support. There are slips and envelopes on the YCIA table, please place your donation in the envelopes provided and put them in the drop box by the office and your name will be added. Thanks to all of you for your continued support for the youth of our parish!
Religious Education
Great Job Students in Grades 3-8
Students In Religious Education, grades 3-8 completed a project to research Saints whose feast days occur in the months of January and February. They were to choose a Saint from the names provided and write a brief story of that Saint using their own words. We hope this project will help to increase their curiosity (and ours) about Saints and how they lived and practiced the virtues and values of their Catholic Faith. They have learned that Saints are not only people from the past but that modern day saints are all around us!! Please take a few minutes to read these “words of wisdom” on display in the lobby. The students have done an outstanding job. We thank their teachers and parents, too, for their cooperation in lending a guiding hand in this project.
Coming up-----Watch for the Saints whose Feast Days occur in the months of March and April.
The Religious Education students in grades 3-9 were privileged to hear a first hand account of some of the situations in Haiti from our parishioner, Christine Ihde, who recently returned from a missionary visit to this country. We are grateful to Christine for her efforts to increase awareness of the plights of our sisters and brothers in this poverty ridden country thru her personal account and thru the many pictures shared with the students on Jan. 22 and Jan. 29. Thank you, Christine and God bless you for bringing this message to our students. They surely learned a lesson in compassion and also in thanksgiving for the many gifts they have received. Thank you, thank you!
P.A.W.S.,
Aquin Right To Life Group is again planning to assemble birthing kits for the people of Haiti. We need everyone's help! is a list of the needed supplies.that many of the supplies can be “used” items. Donations should be brought to Aquin High School before March 9, 2012.also need help with hemming of blankets and shirts. If you have questions or concerns or if you can help sew, please contact Connie Gogel at connie.gogel@aquinschools.org or call 815.235.3154 extension 230.
Need Items
Single Edged Razor Blades (cannot be sent to school with a student)
¼ inch twill tape
Snack size ziploc bags
2 gallon size ziploc bags
Bath Towels (used is ok and thinner is better)
Wash Cloth (used is ok and thinner is better)
36 inch square of sheeting muslin (We have people willing to cut the sheets. be used/stained. The placenta is wrapped in these and buried.)
Bath size bar of Ivory Soap
Small size germicidal hand wash
Newborn stocking caps (used is ok and thinner is better)
Small cotton/flannel shirts (can be used, can be onesies)
Receiving blankets (light weight, can be used)
Plastic gloves--size medium or size large
Money to help cover the shipping cost
Your donation gives hope to the people of Haiti.you for your help.
Parish Tithe
Our parish 6% tithe for the month of February will go to Malcolm Eaton Enterprises located at 570 W. Lamm Rd. in Freeport. Malcolm Eaton serves 200 individuals with developmental disabilities every weekday. The Main Campus contains the manufacturing center, as well as their administrative offices, life skills training classroom and community employment classrooms. The residential program is also headquartered at the Main Campus with homes in Free-port and Lena. One of their products made at the Main Campus, namely Spirit Bathroom Tissue, is sold locally at Cub Foods, Sullivan’s Foods and Walmart. They have enhanced their class room training curriculum at the Main Campus and it continues at a high level at the West Campus providing a stronger learning base for the individuals they serve. Their West Campus, which opened in 2009 at 2900 W. Loras Dr., allows 110 individuals to receive developmental training and life skills living in a classroom situation. A gift of $2000 would support one individual for about 6 weeks of vocation or classroom training: making a huge difference in his/her life. The Xtreme Xpeditions Summer Camp for youth highlights the programs offered. 15 campers, ages 12-21,participated in this experience last year at Freeport High School. During this camp individuals learn cooking, take field trips, visit the library and produce a play, acting out all the parts, costuming and props. Despite difficult fi-nancial times caused by uncertain state funding, Mal-colm Eaton’s programs are thriving. Currently the state owes $1.5 million with 1/2 of this 4 months past due.