It is time to once again welcome our young people receiving one or more of the Sacraments of Initiation during the Easter Season. At our Easter Vigil on March 31st, six of our young people were baptized, and along with two others, were confirmed and received 1st Eucharist. This weekend at the St. Albert The Great Church 5:00 pm and Our Lady of the Rosary 10:30 am Masses, twenty-three more young people will receive their 1st Eucharist.

Here’s what to look forward to in the coming year: Children ages 4 through 10 are welcome. Registration forms are available on our parish website at www.paloaltocatholic.net

As our kids are formed in their faith, it is important for our parents to think about their own faith formation. At St. Albert the Great, sessions for parents will be offered every week during class. At Our Lady of the Rosary, we will meet at least once a month beginning with our session on September 10. We are offering additional family gatherings on week nights from 6 until 7:15 throughout the year.

Summer has come and gone so quickly, and our public schools begin next week. And to keep in line with our public school system, our faith formation classes for grades Pre-K to 5th Grades also begin next week. We have been encouraging all of you to register since the end of our sessions last May, and we hope everyone who has not yet registered will do so this week at our annual Pancake Breakfasts. We hope to see everyone at these events.

Our annual summer camp for children ages 6 through 12 will be held the first two weeks of August (the 1st through 5th and 8th through 12th) from 9 a.m. to Noon in the Hall at Our Lady of the Rosary. Get to know more about Jesus and his family through scripture, drama, dance, music, and crafts. Throughout the two weeks we will build a Jesse Tree as we get to know Jesus’ ancestors.

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults adapted for children is the proper venue for sacramental preparation for these children. A new year of preparation will begin on Wednesday, June 22. Sessions are held from 6 - 7:15 pm in the Dermody Center. Please contact Susan at [email protected] or at the Pastoral Center (650-494-2694, ext. 25) if you have questions.

No classes December 20, 26, and January 3. We invite you to savor this holiday time with friends and family as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Classes will resume on January 10.