Most of you are hopefully aware of the US Government’s recent decision to mandate employers and insurance companies to provide birth control and sterilization (including abortifacients) free of charge. This is an unprecedented violation of the freedom of conscience and religious liberty, particularly for Catholic institutions.

Fortunately, our bishops are speaking up, in particular Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan. Below are resources to help you educate yourself on this important issue so that you can take appropriate action.

Don’t forget – prayer and sacrifice is the most important!

Summary of the Issue

US Bishops’ Page on Conscience Protection

US Bishops’ Page of Religious Liberty Resources

Cardinal-Elect Dolan’s Video Message

Cardinal-Elect Dolan’s WSJ Column

Archbishop Aymond’s Letter

Bishop Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburg’s letter entitled “To Hell with You”

Pope Benedict’s Recent Message to US Bishops on Religious Freedom

There will be an Advent Penance Service offered here at St. Peter Church on Monday, December 19, at 6:30pm in the church. Other Priests from the area will be here to assist in hearing confessions. “So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)

With the new English translation of Holy Mass merely two weeks away, some people have asked for resources to help them and their families with the implementation of the new translation of the Roman Missal. There are many resources available, but here are a few that could be helpful:

USCCB Website (this is the definitive resource)

Praying the Mass Anew by Fr. Joel Hastings

From Words to Prayers by Jeffrey Pinyan

New Translation of the Roman Missal by Roma locuta est

Magnificat’s Roman Missal Companion

Mystical Body, Mystical Voice by Christopher Carstens and Douglas Martis

Resources from the Bishops of England and Wales

Videos of talks by Msgr. Mark Knestout of the Archdiocese of Washington

A fine article by Fr. Roger Landry

 (click image to enlarge)

A new English translation of the Holy Mass that will affect all Catholics will begin to be prayed on the First Sunday of Advent- November 27, 2011. In preparation, Fr. Vidrine will offer a four-part series to explain the new translation and to help us to understand it that we may pray it with reverence and love. Please spread the word. The first session is this Thursday!!

Thursday, October 20 6:30pm
Thursday, October 27 6:30pm
Thursday, November 3 6:30pm
Thursday, November 10 6:30pm

1st THROUGH 9th GRADE CCD CLASSES

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th @  9:00 A.M.       ( 1st CLASS )

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th @  9:00 A.M.       ( 2nd CLASS )

SUNDAY, OCTOBER  19th @ 9:00 A.M.            ( 3rd CLASS )

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23rd @ 9:00 A.M.             ( 4th CLASS )

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6th @ 9:00 A.M.           ( 5th CLASS )

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20th @ 9:00 A.M.         ( 6th CLASS )

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4th @ 9:00 A.M.            ( 7th CLASS )

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15th @ 9:00 A.M.               ( 8th CLASS )

SUNDAY, JANUARY 29th @ 9:00 A.M.               ( 9th CLASS )

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12th @ 9:00 A.M.            ( 10th CLASS )

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26th @ 9:00 A.M.           ( 11th CLASS )

SUNDAY, MARCH 11th @ 9:00 A.M.                  ( 12th CLASS )

SUNDAY, MARCH 25th @ 9:00 A.M.                  ( 13th CLASS )

Please note the time/date changes for grades First through Ninth. We will begin class promptly at 9:00 A.M. and end at 10:25 A.M., followed by Mass which ends at approx. 11:30 A.M. Holy Mass is mandatory and will be part of the hours necessary to fulfill the religious requirements. Please note that your child attends class properly dressed. No shorts, tank tops or revealing clothes are permitted.

Children may be dropped off at the front entrance at St. Peters School. Whether you bring your child or if they drive themselves, please help to instruct them on being present when classes begin. They are old enough to understand promptness is a mature characteristic they need to foster and coming in fashionably late for class will not be accepted. If for any reason you think your child is not making it to classes, or if we suspect the same, it is important we contact one another for their welfare. Parents are encouraged to attend Mass with their children and they may be picked up following Mass at St. Peters Church.

If a child misses more than 2 classes, advancement status will be in question. Valid excuses must be provided.

Students will be expected to come in ready to learn sound Catholic doctrine so respect and attention for teachers is imperative. We are very pleased that you are guiding your child to the light of faith. Please keep in your prayers the Church, the Holy Father, Father Vidrine, CCD teachers and all who help St. Peter Church.

Yours in Christ,

Christine Campbell, Director of Religious Education

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen used to say often, “As goes the family, so goes society.” We do not need much explanation to see the truth of his words today. Because the Sacrament of Marriage is under so great an attack and Married Couples are greatly struggling, the moral fabric of society seems to be melting away before our very eyes. The fruit of this is seen in the great evils that are happening to the human person every day. We must return and hold fast to the Truth that Christ Jesus has revealed and that is safeguarded by His Church! This includes the Truth about the family, marriage, and human sexuality.

Natural Family Planning Awareness Week begins on Sunday, July 24 and goes to Saturday, July 3o. This national educational campaign is sponsored by the United States Bishops. Everyone should know about Natural Family Planning methods and the teachings of the Church, which support their use in marriage. The dates of Natural Family Planning Awareness Week highlight the anniversary of Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae (July 25) which articulates the Catholic Church’s teaching about human sexuality, conjugal love and responsible parenthood. The dates also mark the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne (July 26), the parents of the Blessed Mother. For further information, you can go to:www.usccb.org/prolife/issues/nfp/nfpweek/index.shtml. This is one testimony among many: “We don’t just like natural family planning, we love it.  It isn’t just achieving or avoiding pregnancy.  It is really the way we live our life.” Let us open our minds and hearts to the gift of LIFE!

Welcome to Faith & Fun 2011!

We are excited to introduce St Peter’s 2011 Faith & Fun…Inside Out & Upside Down on Main Street: Where Jesus makes a difference every day! July 11-15 from 8:00am – 12 noon.  This program is for students in grades K-5.  We encourage your older kids, 6th graders through high school to help as Teen Volunteers.

We will be leading the kids through a fun-filled, fast paced adventure on Main Street that is filled with smiles, laughs and lots of surprises!  Our memory verse is Psalm 25:4-5 and we will be traveling down the roads of gratitude, compassion, forgiveness and grace.  We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Registration forms can be picked up at the St. Peter Church office or in the church.  Complete the form and return it to St. Peter church office.  There is no registration fee, but donations are accepted.

We pray that this will be a great experience for both you and your child.  We are committed to make this a safe and fun environment.  We hope that you will want to be a part too and volunteer!  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us.

Thank you,

Mary Roy

Billy Massie, the seminarian assigned to St. Peter and St. David for the summer has arrived in Gueydan. Billy is a  native of Abbeville and is sponsored by the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette. He just completed two years of Pre-Theology and will be entering his first year of Theological studies and seminary formation at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corner, Wisconsin in the Fall.