Sample Some Resources!

As promised – we have tried to make it seamless and continuous from what we have already been doing as well as anticipatory and flexible.

Probably the most significant thing we have been praying about since February/March is how to not add another burden on what’s already happening in all of our families and homes.

• We know some of you have lost your jobs.
• We know some of you have been scaled way back in hours in suffering businesses.
• We know some of you are essential workers and cannot work from home.
• We know no one has anticipated how school and work from home affects your electric, water, and internet costs.
• We know some of you have elderly or at-risk people either in your homes or in close contact. Lots of you are family caretakers. Exposure to COVID-19 means something additional for you.
• We know some of you aren’t sure how you’re going to get food on the table.
• We know there are not great options for school support, day care, or alternatives for working families.
• And we know that there is much more going on in all our lives during this time of precaution – and many more effects.
• And we’d like to not add to that.

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Why Schools of Sainthood?

Because our job as your local church is to support your church of the home. We call this domestic church. We strive for holiness as individuals – but in and through the family we have been given by God. We moved last year from Religious Education to Faith Formation. This year we add a new lens to that -- one of missionary discipleship and sainthood! We are bound for sainthood – so we need schools of sainthood. Just like international sports gathers athletes who excel at their sport – we want to gather those who excel at striving for holiness. And holiness begins at home. Holy homes will bring us to schools of sainthood. And here we are!

SO – we are going to resource you (actually – we’re going to over-resource you) – and we’re going to take this in small bites. One Quarter at a time. We have no idea what Fall, Winter, and Spring will look like – and the way to stay positive and anticipatory is to stay fluid and listen for needs. This is how your family at home works at its best. And this is how your family at Church desires to reflect and echo that.

You’ll be invited to continue the next quarter at the end of the current one.  And we’ll make changes/additions/subtractions according to your feedback. Most of you know and have affirmed this is where we were headed as a parish – even prior to my arrival. So we’re continuing on that journey – with a little more intentionality towards discipleship and evangelization.

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Each Quarter will generally consist of:

1.) A Drive-Thru Pick Up Party/Park & Pray – where you will come to OLR – with your family – in your car – and receive materials for the quarter including (29 minutes or less once per quarter):

• -A super cool Catholic Planner
• -Gospel Weeklies
• -Curriculum Guides
• -Your #PandemicPassport – a booklet with 60 Fun Catholic Things to try to check off this year in your family – why 60 Things? Because it’s Our Lady of Ransom’s 60^th Anniversary! More on that below!
• -Other Resources per level
• -Most resources are bilingual this year -- per your request!

2.) Your Regular Weekly Tuesday Flocknote which will include:

• -E-resources to help you at home
• -Online Website Access Pflaum Resources for Parents
• -52 Sundays Resources
• -Readings/Gospel for the upcoming Sunday
• -A brief prerecorded video lesson from Kevin and Colleen & Some Other Catholic Cool Kids
• -An invitation to the #PandemicPilgrimage Mass – each week we’re going to challenge you to attend Mass virtually in a different place! Want to go to Mass with Pope Francis? Outside in the mountains of California? Down the street at a neighboring parish? This is going to be fun! You’re invited to do this whether you are attending Mass in person or not!

NOTE: We desire to honor your family schedule and rhythm. You can do all of this or very little (or none) of this. We’d encourage you to start small and build up to whatever you can.  Maybe we’ll add some things back as time goes on. Let’s see how this goes.

3.) A Parent Prep Zoom Session (59 minutes once per quarter):
Kevin and I will walk you through your quarterly resources and share some simple ideas, best practices, and answer questions. We’ll also try to get some additional adult resources together based on your needs.

4.) Weekly Open Office Hours on Zoom with Colleen and Kevin (a resource for you as needed): Contact Colleen and/or Kevin to set up!

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Sacraments will happen in the context of this journey – but no one needs to worry about anything during first quarter unless you hear otherwise from Kevin and I. We want  you to ease in. We’ll be in touch with sacrament families separately after registration is complete. If your children are not in Grades 1, 2 , 7, or 8 and are missing sacraments (even if they're in high school) – please email Kevin or I separately – we can take care of that as well. Additionally – if you are a family that has questions about an adult (over 18)  receiving sacraments, marriage, annulment, divorce, or getting your marriage blessed in the Church (“convalidation”), please also reach out to Kevin or I privately and we will be glad connect you with the right person.

There will be optional opportunities to gather in family small groups/"apostolates" in person if desired every once in awhile. We will add very slowly and follow your family lead on this.

Lastly – a note on fees for this year – this is the 60^th Anniversary of Our Lady of Ransom – and in joyful celebration of this year – as well as to recognize that many of our families are suffering financially – the fee this year is $60. For the whole family. Not per child. Not per quarter. $60. That’s all. Happy Anniversary!

Now – I’d ask you to walk with us here on this one – many parishes are struggling with the fear that a reduction in fees communicates something about the quality of what’s happening here. It doesn’t. But we think in light of your electric, water, internet bills that are all going to go up – this is our small way of subsidizing that unanticipated loss for you. We have some other ideas too – but we’re going to start here. We hope it helps. If you want to give more – feel free to contribute to the parish – who is also in great need -- or at Ransom Responds – our ongoing social outreach which continues to grow in need. If you want to give more to School of Sainthood we’ll use it to help another family. If you need additional help – please PLEASE reach out to Kevin and/or I. We believe God is going to take care of us.

We know this is a weird time – and we miss you. A lot. But we are finding more and more this is also a time that is inviting us to make things new. Including your family and our parish – so despite some of the hard things – we know God is here -- and we are ready to walk with you and your families this year as we encounter the person of Jesus together in both familiar and new ways!

Welcome to Schools of Sainthood!

You are always welcome to share this information or to email Kevin and/or I directly with questions or concerns.

In Him,
Kevin & colleen
kevin@olransom.org
colleen@olransom.org