From the Junior High Ministry and all the Catechists, we wish to greet everybody a very Merry Christmas, and a Prosperous New Year. Few more class meetings and this year’s first semester will be over. Last Dec 1, 2001, the 7th and 8th grade students attended an Advent retreat held at our Parish Retreat Center. Our retreat master, Deacon Glenn Vecchitto, Youth Minister of St. Pius X in Chula Vista, explained the real meaning of Advent, and how we can prepare ourselves for the coming birthday and second coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. It was a complete success. The Catechetical Center provided the students and catechists with a hearty Subway sandwiches for lunch. In the afternoon, the students were grouped in fives, and were asked to answer and explain the following questions: (1) List five things that we can do to make Advent a real time of joy. (2) How can we share these things to our peers? The retreat started with the 8:00 am Mass and ended with a prayer service presided by Deacon Sam, our Director of Catechetical Ministry.

As we come close to the end of the first semester, we want to thank again the parents and students who are willing to journey together in their faith. The 7th graders learned about the New Testament, and next semester they will study the Creed. For the 8th graders, they were taught Liturgy and Worship, and the second semester they will study Morality. We have two classes for the 7th grade (9 student each class) and two classes for the 8th grade (12 students each class). It will be another exciting experience, and I am sure the students will enjoy the second half of the 2001-02 school year.

We have adapted lectionary and curriculum based catechesis for our teaching methodology. Liturgy and Catechesis are both vital in the faith life of our children, and lectionary-based catechesis can be an important way to link the liturgical experience with the catechetical experience. Both liturgy and catechesis have a common basic purpose: to lead people to God. Hopefully, through this method, we will bring Jesus into the children’s life.

As a reminder, Sunday Mass attendance is mandatory, and attendance sheet must be turned in to the teacher at the end of each month. Parents will receive their children’s first semester report card soon, and please remind your children to complete those assessment questions and turn them in.

(Lolita & Cecilio Salamanca, Coordinators)