• Day 1
• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5

Day 1:
Dear Grade 7 Families,
We had a great start to week 2 of our Summer Program. Following prayers and introductions, Larry Testa, a Sacristan from St. Agnes, talked to the students about the liturgy, and his role in preparing the church and altar before and after each Mass.

Following Larry’s presentation, I introduced the children to breaking open the Word of God.  In today’s reading, from the Gospel of Matthew, Today's Gospel reading,  Jesus reminds us that we should put God above all things!  

We joined fellow parishioners for the 9 am Mass with Father Victor presiding.  Please join us Wednesday and Friday if you are available! Our student volunteers enrich the Mass experience for everyone.

A couple of reminders: Ever mindful of the needs in our greater community, we are asking the children to please bring an item(s) for the Reading Food Pantry on Wed., 7/17.  On Friday, 7/19 we will collect donations for the Liturgy Donation Walk-a-thon.

Thank you to those who brought snacks and water for this week’s program. We still need additional snacks, particularly gluten-free items, water, and popsicles. Please go the Sign-Up Genius link to see what we need and thank-you for your support: Grade 7 Snack Donations

Please talk with your children about their experience today. Our students covered three lessons today.  Take a moment to discuss what they learned.

Lesson 1: Three Persons One God – The Holy Trinity

The Trinity is the most important mystery of our Christian faith and life, a mystery for us to enter and ponder. We can state this mystery in just a few words—Three Persons in one God. God is not a mystery to be solved. He is a mystery that we explore and a relationship into which we enter.

Lesson 2: Jesus is the Answer to a Promise – The Inspired Word of God

The Bible is the inspired Word of God. Together the Old Testament and the New Testament reveal God’s message.

 Lesson 3: Jesus Reveals God to Us – Abraham, Noah & Jesus, The Divine Revelation

God seeks a loving relationship with his people. In the Old Testament we see God revealing himself throughout history.

Spend a few minutes tonight asking your child what they learned; we had a great time reviewing the chapters at our closing group gathering today!

Yours in Christ,

Paula Colpitts and Reading Catholic Summer Program Team

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Day 2:
Hello 7^th Grade Families,

Our students were really eager to learn and participate in our small group and large group discussions —and it’s only day two! Yesterday we asked the children to open their hearts to God this week.  And they are! 

A couple of reminders: Ever mindful of the needs in our greater community, we are asking the children to please bring an item(s) for the Reading Food Pantry on Wed., 7/17. 

Thank you to those who brought snacks and water for this week’s program. We still need additional snacks, particularly gluten-free items, water, and popsicles. Please go the Sign-Up Genius link to see what we need and thank you for your support: Grade 7 Snack Donations

Today’s Gospel reading is from Matthew, Today's Gospel reading.  Some of Jesus’ followers weren’t sure if He really was the Son of God.  Unlike today these followers had the benefit of seeing Jesus perform miracles and yet they still didn’t have their hearts open to Jesus.  Today, as then, you are moved by Him or not; accept Him or not; believe in Him or not; have your heart open to Him or not. Just know that when you need Him, He will be there.

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Father Steve took the opportunity to talk to the children about Mary, the Mother of our Church. Jesus uses his Mother to intercede on our behalf, drawing us closer to Him.

Please talk with your children about their experience today. Our students covered five lessons today.

Lesson 4: Jesus Calls Us to Say Yes

Mary was the first person to say yes to Jesus. Mary’s yes gives an example on how to cooperate with God’s plan for us.

Lesson 6: Jesus Becomes One of Us

Jesus is the Son of God. Without losing his divine nature, Jesus assumed human nature. Jesus Christ is true God and true man.

 Lesson 7: Jesus Is God with Us

When God created human beings, he created within us a desire for Himself. Just like a stomach hungers to be satisfied with food, our whole being hungers to be satisfied with God. 

Lesson 8: Jesus Is for All

Mary and Joseph fled into Egypt to save Jesus’ life. Jesus willingly surrendered to His Death and Resurrection to save us.

Lesson 9 – Jesus Grew in Wisdom, Age and Grace

Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple with Jewish teachers, who were astounded at his knowledge. We learn values, virtues, and service to others in our own families.  When a Christian family of faith worships and prays together they are a domestic church.

After lunch, Father Victor spoke with the students about his personal calling to the Priesthood. The seeds of faith planted in him as a child led to his ordination.

Thank you for your support this week!

Yours in Christ,

Paula Colpitts and the Reading Catholic Summer Program Team

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Day 4

Hello Grade 7 Families,

We can’t thank you enough for your generosity providing water and snacks for the program this week. On behalf of the Reading Food Pantry, we grateful for the donations. We will continue to collect non- perishable food items tomorrow. Also please don’t forget to bring in donations for the Liturgy Walk-a-thon tomorrow.  Money raised will help to purchase offertory baskets and Chasubles for the parishes.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew, Today's Gospel reading. Following the reading, we listened to “All Who are Thirsty”, a music reflection, reminding us to turn to Jesus with our burdens.

Our daily Ministry Snapshot was provided by Janet Davidson-Dee, a Lector at St. Agnes. Janet explained the importance of understanding the text in order to proclaim the Word of God clearly and with meaning to the congregation.  We reviewed Lector “Do’s” and “Don’ts” as a group.

Today Lessons:

Lesson 14: Jesus Heals & Forgives

During Jesus’ public ministry he healed many people.  Today we revisited some of these miracles: Jesus’ healing of the paralyzed man; Jesus curing the blind. Jesus healed those with physical ailments as well as those suffering spiritual poverty by forgiving sins. The Sacrament of Penance is a way to reconcile our sins. Forgiveness of sins is important in order to have a healthy relationship with God.

Lesson 16: Jesus Gives Himself

The Eucharist is the heart of the life of the Church. The unique change of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of the risen Jesus Christ is called transubstantiation. In the Eucharist we recognize the Real Presence of Jesus Christ.  The word liturgy means “the work of the people.” We go forth from our liturgy, strengthened by the Eucharist, to continue God’s work in the world.

Lesson 17: Jesus Makes A Choice

In His Agony in the Garden, Jesus was tempted to avoid His suffering and Death, but He remained faithful to His Father. We are also called to remain true to our identity as sons and daughters of God, especially when we are tempted to run away from God. Making a moral choice is choosing to do what is right or choosing not to do what is wrong. St. Paul teaches us the morality of any act has three dimensions: the act chosen, the intention behind the act, and the circumstances behind the act.

Lesson 18: Jesus Redeems Us

Through Jesus’ suffering; enduring physical and mental cruelty, He redeemed the world and made eternal life possible.  Peter, James and John witnessed Jesus’ Transfiguration — His face shining like the sun and His clothes white as light — as He spoke with Elijah and Moses on the mountain. The sky overshadowed and a voice proclaimed, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to Him.”

Please allow your child to share what they learned today.  Open a dialogue about the importance of living your Catholic Faith. 

Blessings,

Paul Colpitts and the Reading Catholic Summer Program Team

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DAY 5
Good Evening,

What a wonderful week we had with your children. The Summer Program team feels blessed to have had this time with your children to tell them about God’s unconditional, unending love for them.

A big thank you to all who donated to the Reading Food Pantry, brought in donations for our Walk-a-thon, and just as important the donations of water, snacks and popsicles. We are grateful for your generosity. On behalf of the Reading Food Pantry and St. Agnes and St. Athanasius Parishes—Thank You!

Marie Kleponis, a faith filled member of St. Agnes’ parish talked to the students about Adoration and Maureen McKeown another faith filled member of talked about Extraordinary Ministers of Communion.

Today’s Lessons

Lesson 19: Jesus Brings Us New Life – Sacraments of Initiation

The Holy Spirit assists us to find the presence of God in all things. We find the risen Christ among the suffering. Christ is present with us in prayer, in the Christian community, and in the sacraments. The Sacraments of Initiation are Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.  They mark our entry into the community of the Church.

Lesson 21: Jesus Opens Our Eyes – Dignity of Work & Lesson

We can be uncertain about our mission in life when we fail to recognize Jesus’ presence. We encounter and recognize Jesus in the Eucharist. Jesus’ life follows a path through life, Death, into Resurrection, and finally Ascension to Heaven.  Following Jesus means that this is our path too, as we live with the hope of being reunited with God. Work gives people a sense of dignity and accomplishment.  The work we do contributes to society and expresses our vocation to be cocreators with God. God creates us for a purpose. We discover our mission over time and with many experiences.

Lesson 22: Jesus send Forth His Spirit – Gifts of Pentecost – Good News—Seal of Confirmation

At Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples, giving them the strength to embrace their mission to spread the Good News. The seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord. Confirmation ties us more closely to the Body of Christ. Confirmation helps us be witnesses to the Christian faith in the things we say and do.

Lesson 23: We Are Called & Sent – St. Paul, Matrimony, Holy Orders

Paul became the greatest missionary of the early Church. God also calls us to conversion. He has provided a way for us to repair and reconcile our relationship with him and invites us to live the Kingdom of God. Paul’s Epistle to early Christian communities providing guidance on topics of faith, virtue, daily conduct, and issues that still apply today. The Sacrament of Matrimony is a sign of the union between Christ and his Church. Men who receive Holy Orders continue the mission entrusted by Christ to his Apostles.

  Lesson 24: Jesus calls Us to Eternal Life—Book of Revelation

To understand the Book of Revelation, we recognize that its literary form relies on symbols and images. It is not intended to be interpreted literally. In the Book of Revelation, God claims eternal victory over the forces of evil.

We celebrated our wonderful week with a pizza and ice cream lunch. 

We pray your child was able to open their hearts to God this week. Our hope is that this week isn’t the end of their Catholic education this year. We would love to have them participate in masses and volunteering as their schedule allows.

May you all have a safe and blessed summer,

Paula Colpitts and the Reading Summer Program Team