Second Sunday of Advent

December 10, 2006
Text Box: Hopkins Catholic Youth Ministry Robyn Magalska, Director, Youth Office Contact Information: 952-935-5536 ext. 6 or robyn_magalska@yahoo.com . This Sunday, December 10th, there will be a gathering for 10th grade students and older who would like to help plan upcoming retreats.  This meeting will be held at St. Joe's from 7:15–8:30 pm.  All 10th graders and up and adults are welcome.  If you cannot make it but you are interested in getting involved in leading retreats, contact the youth office.    All 7th–12th graders should mark their calendars for Sunday, December 17th when we will have our annual Advent Party from 7 pm–9 pm in Leo's Den.  There will be games, cake, movies and prizes! Join us for the fun!  Friends are welcome! If you are looking for ways to spend your time during Christmas Break, come join us to help with winter cleaning and painting in Leo’s Den. On Wed., December 27th and Thursday, December 28th there will be an “open house” from 10 am–3 pm each day. Come for as long as your schedule allows. Bring a bag lunch if necessary. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Come for service hours or just to share your time and talents. There will be many different jobs for people to do such as general painting, design painting, construction, cleaning and more. Contact the youth office for questions or just stop down in your youth room ready to lend a helping hand. NOTE: There will be no Sunday Youth Gatherings on December 24th or 31st. 10th Graders and older should mark their calendars for our FIL (Faith Impacts Life) Retreat on January 5th and 6th.

The school’s service project for this year is to collect badly needed items for the ICA Food Shelf in

Minnetonka. The children bring these items to Mass with them every Wednesday and put them in a basket on the altar at offertory time. In October and November alone, the children and their families have donated over 300 pounds of food. The children are eager to give and share what they have with others. O Come Little

Children! Our Christmas Program for 2006 is Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 7 pm in the church. You will understand the great importance of Catholic schools in our secular world as the children perform the story of Jesus’ birth in song and story. Please join us!
Text Box: Faith Formation Margaret Stimmler, Director Faith Formation Office Contact Information: 952-935-5536 ext. 4 or mstimmler@stjohnhopkins.org . Eleven students went on retreat at Our Risen Savior Catholic Church in Burnsville this past weekend. It was a great beginning to our Confirmation preparation and fun! St Nick made his appearance in our Community Room on Sunday. I heard he had a beautiful new hat. Ninth and 10th grades are meeting at Target for a shopping experience to contribute to the gift shop at The Hopkins Family Resource Center. The time is 2 pm–4 pm this Sunday, Dec. 10th. Be there or be square! The teens should have received a letter in the mail with details. Wednesday, December 13, the Jr. High students will meet at St. Joe’s from 5:30–9 pm for a Twilight Retreat. Please bring $3 for diner. Wednesday evening classes will take part in the Reconciliation Service on Dec. 13th. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Reconciliation Class for 2nd grade is on Wed., Dec. 13th. Meet in the Community Room at 6:30 pm. Pick up kids at 7:45 pm in Community Room

R. C. I. A. Is Back! 

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (inquiry and convert class) will be conducted beginning in February, weekly on Thursday evenings, weekly basis through

March 22.  Please spread the word, invite people you know who are interested in the Catholic faith (neighbors, friends, spouses, fiancés, etc.) who haven’t been to church for a while (a chance to air questions and discover Catholic faith again), or invite any who may be interested in updating their Catholic faith (most people live their faith based on grade or high school religion classes).  Call

Father Goman at the parish office for more information or just show up in the Community Room on Thursday,

February 8 at 7 pm.  All are welcome!

Retirement Fund for Religious Collection

The total amount donated since1998—almost

$500 million—would pay for just one year of skilled nursing and assisted living for more than 11,000 religious in need of such care today. Even the extraordinary response to this appeal actually represents a donation of only one dollar per year per adult Catholic in the United States. Please give generously this weekend.