On behalf of JoAnn Berntsen and the Berntsen family, I want to thank all the people of St. Hyacinth for their outpouring of support and sympathy during this time as we mourn our brother Deacon Frank. As we mourn his passing and celebrate his life, we acknowledge that He touched all our lives in so many ways –as a husband, father, and Deacon. His integrity and steadfast love for his children, family, and the Church will always be in our hearts. His unwavering concern for and gentleness with those who sought his help, and his lifelong commitment to serving the people of God will be an example for all of us. With love, the memory of Deacon Franks’ kind deeds and the strength of his example will live on. This Sunday at the 10:00 am Mass we will celebrate The Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens (Rite of Acceptance). This is the first of the “threshold rites” of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), and the first public ritual. In the Rite of Acceptance, a change of identity takes place: those previously known as inquirers become catechumens. They are officially welcomed by the Church as disciples, members of the household of faith. The text calls this rite “the first consecration by the Church” of those seeking Christian initiation. They are literally marked with the cross of Christ as God’s own. We began our new Religious Education school year a little more than a month ago with more than 600 children registered in our classes and throughout Faith Formation. That's just a staggering number of children for the size of our Church. Our first weeks came and went without too many problems and complications. Please join me in thanking our dedicated Faith Formation staff and all our wonderful volunteer catechists who give of themselves for the good of all. Please join me in thanking Barbara Mackie, our Co- Director of Faith Formation; Co- Director Director, Pamela Johnson; Administrative Assistant, Wendi McCall and all of our volunteers and teachers for the tireless work in preparing for the Religious Education school year. We have more than 63 catechists and aides helping with our many classes, and they all have done a wonderful job of stewardship by volunteering their time and talent to teach the faith. Thank you, one and all! To all parents, I ask that you please help us by bringing your children on time to each class session, and by supporting your children's teachers. It is not easy to manage that many children and that many classes. The number of children in Religious Education is comparable to one of the local public schools. Granted, they attend just one day of the week, but it's still a daunting task each week. Think of how many aides and support staff work at the local schools, and here we are trying to offer the same educational experience for the Catholic faith with just a handful of staff. We truly need our parents to lend a hand. Your gift of your time and talent is most appreciated. You can give your children no greater gift in life than helping them grow in their relation ship with God. It's also important that parents remind your children of the importance of behaving respectfully in class. Religious Education classes are not time to goof off and act silly. We usually don't have too many problems, but when we do, it can make for a trying day for our teachers, aides, staff and volunteers. Let's work together and cooperate with one another so we can have a faith-filled year and help our children grow in their relationship with the Lord. One final note about Religious Education and this applies to everyone in the parish: please use extra caution in the parking lot, especially now that our classes have begun. Kids can dart out into traffic without looking or run in between parked vehicles in the lot, and you might never see them. Keep your eyes open and please slow down! Be alert, and again, slow down. I see far too many cars driving way too fast on our campus. Use caution and common sense, and be alert at all times. Please remember, as we act in Church is how we should act in the parking lot. Thank you and May God, through the prayers of St. Hyacinth, bless you all and let’s recall how to say “Amen!”