Please remember that we are having our next Religious Education Mass this coming Sunday:

When:           Sunday, March 9, 2025

Time:                 11:15 am

Location:           Church

As we are now in the season of Lent, we prepare ourselves for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery of Christ: his Passion, Death, and Resurrection.  We are celebrating this Mass so that we can all come together as a Religious Education family to pray and celebrate at the beginning of this solemn season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Once again, our Music Ministry choir will be singing and leading us in giving praise to God.  Students from our fourth, fifth, and sixth grade faith formation classes will be participating in the various roles of the Mass. 

We look forward to seeing all of you and your families at our Mass this Sunday!

Thank you, and God bless you.

Please note that, as stated on our calendars, there will be NO CLASSES on Tuesday, March 4th and Wednesday, March 5th for the celebration of Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season.

Classes resume on:

• Saturday, March 8th

• Tuesday,  March 11th

• Wednesday,  March 12th

On Wednesday, March 5, we celebrate Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the Lenten Season.  Lent is a 40-day season in which we are given the opportunity to reflect and to prepare ourselves for our Lord’s Resurrection in Easter through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  This week, at the end of class, each student was given a Lenten Calendar to be shared with you and your families in our preparation during the season of Lent.

Please watch this video on our website, as we prepare to enter into the season of Lent.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO ON OUR WEBSITE

Our schedule of Masses for Ash Wednesday can be found below and is also posted on our website.

We also invite you to browse through our “LENT” page on our website, which contains more information on this season as well as some resources you can use with your families in celebrating the “Great 40 Days” of the Lenten season.

May our Lord Jesus Christ accompany us on our Lenten journey.

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ASH WEDNESDAY MASS SCHEDULE

St. Kevin Catholic Parish

Wednesday, March 5th

7:30 am       English

12:00 pm     Spanish

6:00 pm       English

7:30 pm       Spanish 

As mentioned during the Welcome Orientation, continuing an initiative during the Eucharistic Revival, we will be starting some of our classes throughout the year with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  This is to help our students to develop a love and devotion for our Lord Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist.  Next week, we will be having our next Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for this year at the beginning of class.

Next class: Tuesday, February 11; Wednesday, February 12, and Saturday, February 15, students need to go directly to the church, NOT THE SCHOOL, when they arrive.  

Please refer to the email sent to the parents for complete details regarding the procedures that will apply for this week.

• Please make sure your child arrives on time.  *Students who do not arrive by the time the adoration starts and the doors of the church are closed will be considered absent for this class.* 

Most especially as we will be in the church in the presence of the Lord, all students need to be dressed appropriately (following the program dress code).

They should also bring their books and supplies as usual for regular class after the Adoration.

Again, students need to be at the church this week by the regular time for the start of their Religious Education class.

Thank you, and God bless you. 

According to our calendar, please remember that there will be NO CLASS this Saturday, February 8th. 

St. Kevin School is having their Confirmation ceremony on this day.

Classes will resume the following week.

Thank you, and God bless you. 

Please remember that we are having our next Religious Education Mass this coming Sunday:

When:       Sunday, February 2, 2025

Time:             11:15 am

Location:       Church

Let us all, children, families, and catechists, come together to pray and to celebrate the great sacrament of our faith, united as one family, one community.  Our Music Ministry choir will be singing and leading us in giving praise to God.  Students from our second and third grade faith formation classes will be participating in the various roles of the Mass. 

We look forward to seeing you and your families at our Mass this Sunday!

Thank you, and God bless you. 

We hope you and your families had a wonderful Christmas and a blessed start to the new year.

As we begin the second half of our catechetical year, we would like to remind you of a few important things regarding the program:

ATTENDANCE

Please remember that if it is the first or second year of preparation for a sacrament, we allow a maximum of five (5) absences for the year, regardless of the reason, in terms of counting the year towards sacramental preparation.  There are no excused or unexcused absences.  The office may send a courtesy email to the parents to inform them of the number of absences their child has up to that point. 

DRESS CODE

All students are expected to dress modestly, in attire appropriate for class and church.   Students may NOT wear “short” shorts or “short” skirts (must be knee-length), tank tops, sleeveless attire, gym shorts, sweat pants, leggings, ripped jeans, flip-flops, crocs, or large/distracting hair pieces (large bows, animal ears, etc.).

BOOKS / SUPPLIES / BAGS

Every student needs to bring their book(s) to class every week, along with a pencil or pen, and any other supplies requested by their catechist.  Also, only the Religious Education drawstring bag can be used to carry supplies.  Any other forms or types of bags are NOT allowed.

DROP-OFF AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

We remind you of the drop-off and dismissal procedures as explained during the Welcome Orientation and sent to you previously via email.  Please refer to the email sent at the beginning of the year with complete details and information. 

SAFETY GUIDELINES

As a reminder, should your child be sick or display symptoms of illness (i.e. fever, runny nose, cough, congestion, excessive sneezing), they should not come to class and remain at home for the safety and well-being of everyone in the program.  Please send an email to the Religious Education Office.

We thank you for your support and cooperation.  We look forward to a great second half of this catechetical year! 

In our Religious Education Program, students are given the oppportunity to become involved in our parish through a number of ministries.  One ministry that we are especially blessed to have is our Music Ministry.  The Music Ministry aims to teach, prepare, and form our children to participate in life-long praise of God through sacred song.  They are given the opportunity to participate in the parish community by singing at the Masses and special events prepared and coordinated by the Religious Education Program.

As we begin the second half of our catechetical year, we extend an invitation to all of our students in second grade and up to join and participate in this wonderful ministry. 

We regularly have rehearsals two Saturdays in the month to practice and prepare the songs for our Masses and events.  Our next rehearsal is taking place on:

Saturday, January 18

11:15 am – 1:00 pm

Church

We would love to have your child join our Music Ministry, and there is no cost involved to participate!  If your child is interested in joining and participating, please reply to this email to let us know so that we can place them on the list and send you more information about our upcoming rehearsals and Masses.  In your email, please include your child's name and current grade level.

You can also find information regarding the Music Ministry on our website, www.stkevinrep.org. 

Thank you, and God bless you.

This is a reminder that there will be NO CLASSES from December 15th until January 5th, 2025.  We will be on Christmas Break for three weeks.

Classes will resume:

• Tuesday,     January 7th   

• Wednesday,   January 8th    

• Saturday,    January 11th

*Our schedule of Masses for Christmas and New Year’s can be found below, as well as on our website, www.stkevinrep.org.*

Let us remember amidst all the excitement and preparation during these days that the real reason for Christmas is JESUS.  It is a season to reflect, remember, and celebrate this greatest gift that God has given to each and every one of us.  May we welcome Christ into our hearts and allow Him to guide us on our journey of faith.

Please also find below a special Christmas message from our pastor, Father Jesús Saldaña, to all of our families in the parish.

We wish you and your family a wonderful and holy Christmas.  May the season lead you and your families to be drawn closer to our Jesus Christ, the Emmanuel, God-with-us.  May the New Year of 2025 be filled with abundant blessings and graces from our Lord above. 

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR ALL THE SEASONS!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR:

Dear brothers and sisters:

Peace and Good Will to all.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  --John 1:1

God reveals himself to humanity with his love, his wisdom, and his power through his Son, Jesus Christ. Faith is our response to this revelation that, at the same time, is nourished by Hope and in communion with Charity.  Man has experienced this call from God.  Abraham believed, trusted, and started his pilgrimage with hope, knowing that it is God who guides him.  Our lives are also a pilgrimage, walking with Christ toward the Father.  Let us now walk with Christ through the world, bringing to all men and women of good will the message of Hope expressed in our daily commitment and solidarity.  We are messengers of Peace and Joy.  On Christmas Eve, in communion with the whole Church, Pope Francis opens the Holy Door to mark the new Jubilee Year.  Open your heart as well to Jesus.  Walk with him as a bearer of hope in the coming year.  The Holy Spirit is the one who guides us to be Witnesses of Hope.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S MASS SCHEDULE

St. Kevin Catholic Parish

Tuesday, December 24th  (Christmas Eve)

6:00 pm  English      (Christmas Vigil Mass)

12:00 am:  Midnight  Mass  –  Bilingual

Wednesday, December 25th (Christmas Day)

(HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION)

8:00 am      English

9:30 am    Spanish

11:15 am     English

1:00 pm      Spanish

7:00 pm      Spanish

Remember, NO confessions on Christmas Day.

Tuesday, December 31st

6:00 pm      English Vigil - Mary, Mother of God

7:30 pm      Spanish Vigilia - Maria, Madre de Dios

Wednesday, January 1st, 2025  (Mary, Mother of God)   

(HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION)

7:30 am      English

7:30 pm    Spanish

As we are in the midst of the Advent season in preparation for the celebration of Christmas, the Religious Education Program has been given the opportunity to participate in the Christmas Drive of the St. Mother Teresa Charity of the parish. 

This year, the members of the ministry are collecting gift cards (WalMart, Target, Visa, MasterCard) to be given to needy families within our parish community so that they are able to purchase toys and gifts for their children this Christmas.  We invite you and your families to participate in this year’s Christmas Drive so that we can help bring a smile to many children in our community. 

We will be accepting donations of gift cards next week (December 5, 6, and 9).  Please bring any donations when your child comes to class.  As with the Thanksgiving drive, we will have an envelope at the entrance door where you or your child can place the donations.  Remember to attach the gift card receipt so that the members of the St. Mother Teresa Charity are aware of the amount in the gift card.

We thank you in advance for your consideration, and may God bless you for your generosity as we continue in this season of Advent.

As mentioned during the Welcome Orientation, continuing an initiative during the Eucharistic Revival, we will be starting some of our classes throughout the year with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  This is to help our students to develop a love and devotion for our Lord Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist.  Next week, we will be having our next Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for this year at the beginning of class.

Next class: Tuesday, December 3; Wednesday, December 4, and Saturday, December 7, students need to go directly to the church, NOT THE SCHOOL, when they arrive.  

Please refer to the email sent to the parents for complete details regarding the procedures that will apply for this week.

• Please make sure your child arrives on time.  *Students who do not arrive by the time the adoration starts and the doors of the church are closed will be considered absent for this class.* 

Most especially as we will be in the church in the presence of the Lord, all students need to be dressed appropriately (following the program dress code).

They should also bring their books and supplies as usual for regular class after the Adoration.

Again, students need to be at the church this week by the regular time for the start of their Religious Education class.

Thank you, and God bless you. 

We hope you and your families had a blessed and joyful Thanksgiving.  

This is a reminder that we are still selling the “Unlimited Ride Wristband” for the Parish Festival, which is taking place this coming Sunday, December 8th.  You can still take advantage of the pre-Festival price of $25 per wristband, and they can be bought from us when your child comes for Religious Education class.  Wristbands are also available at the Parish Office.  The last day to buy the wristband at the pre-festival price is this Wednesday, December 4th.  On the day of the Festival, they will be $30 each. 

More information can be found in the “PARISH FESTIVAL” page of our website.

Also, if you have not yet done so, please remember to return your raffle tickets to us this week for a chance to win some great prizes in our festival raffle.  The last day to turn in the raffle tickets is this Wednesday, December 4th. 

Please remember that there will be NO CLASSES this coming week for Thanksgiving break:

• Tuesday, November 26th,

• Wednesday, November 27th, and

• Saturday, November 30th.

Classes will resume the following week:

• Tuesday, December 3rd,

• Wednesday, December 4th, and

• Saturday, December 7th.

A reminder that on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th, we will have our bilingual Religious Education Thanksgiving Family Mass here at St. Kevin at 11:00 am.  Our Music Ministry choir will be leading us in singing and praising God at the Mass, and some of our younger students will be participating and making a special presentation during the Mass.  We invite you and your families to join us in giving thanks to God for all His graces.

We also thank all of you for your generous contributions to our Thanksgiving Drive.  We collected just over $1,700 in cash donations!  The money collected will be used by the St. Mother Teresa Charity ministry of the parish to provide gift cards for needy families in our parish community this Thanksgiving.  All of the charitable work we are able to accomplish is only possible through your generosity.

As we celebrate this occasion with our own families and loved ones, let us remember to be thankful to God for all the graces he has bestowed on us and all the blessings he constantly provides for us.  Let us also keep in our prayers all who are in need.

We wish you and your family a blessed Thanksgiving! 

We are excited to announce that our annual St. Kevin Parish Festival will be on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm here on our parish and school grounds.  This annual event is a cherished reminder of the fun and fellowship that our entire Church and school community can share.  Please find below a few things to note regarding the festival.

RAFFLE TICKETS

Each family will be receiving a book of 10 raffle tickets.  They will be sent home with your oldest child by next week (as there has been a delay in sending the raffle tickets to us).  It will be one book of 10 tickets per family (not per child).  Please remember to fill out and return the ticket stubs (the portion with your name and contact information) to us, along with the suggested donation, by Saturday, December 7th so that you can be entered to win some great prizes. 

UNLIMITED RIDE WRISTBAND

As we do every year, we will have new rides for our young ones of all ages.  Ride wristbands will be available for purchase in November for unlimited access to rides at the Festival.  You can take advantage of the early bird price of $25 per wristband up until December 4th (cash or check only).  Please fill out the Festival Wristband Order Form and submit it to us at the door when you drop off your child for class.  On the day of the Festival, they will be $30.   

PARENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR THE FESTIVAL

We invite you and your families to participate by volunteering at the Parish Festival while also enjoying an atmosphere of fun and fellowship with the entire parish community.  Should you be able to assist, please reply to the festival email with your contact information to let us know, and we will forward it to the festival committee who will get in touch with you.  

We look forward to all of our families joining us for a day of fun filled with delicious food, fun activities, and the spirit of our community of faith!

This past week, we sent home the memo with information regarding our Thanksgiving Drive.  We will be working in conjunction with the St. Mother Teresa Charity of the parish to provide assistance for as many families as possible.

As last year, we will not be collecting any food items, as the members of the St. Mother Teresa Charity will not be preparing food baskets.  Instead, they are collecting cash donations to provide gift cards for the needy families this Thanksgiving. 

We are requesting that each student in the program brings a minimum of $5.00 in cash in order to assist with the purchasing of the gift cards to be distributed.  Should you wish to donate more, you are strongly encouraged and more than welcome to do so.

ALL DONATIONS NEED TO BE BROUGHT IN BY NEXT CLASS (this week).  Please have your child give the donations to us at the front door when they come to class.  We will have an envelope for them to place the cash donations. 

Let us always remember to be thankful to God for all the blessings he gives us every day.  Let us keep in mind all the less fortunate in our community, and those we will be helping though this food drive.  Let us remember to pray for them, for God to watch over them and be with them always.

We thank you for your cooperation, and may God bless your generosity.

Please remember that we have a special Religious Education Mass taking place this week:

When:       Friday, November 1, 2024

Time:             6:00 pm

Location:      Church

This Friday, we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints.  On this day, the Church recalls the example, witness, and prayer of the holy women and men who have been identified by the Church as saints.  More than just role models, the saints are family members in the Communion of Saints.  On this special day, we come together and pray to all the Saints in heaven to continue to intercede for us so that we may be more like them in living our lives according to the example and teachings of Christ. 

At our Mass, we will have some of the Saints among us represented by our third grade students, who will also be presenting their saint during the Mass.  Our Music Ministry choir will be singing and leading us in giving praise to God.  Students from our Confirmation classes will also be participating as lectors. 

We ask all of our students and families to come together to celebrate the Eucharist on this special day.  We look forward to having you and your child(ren) join us, as we pray and celebrate during our Mass this Friday!

Thank you, and God bless you. 

PLEASE NOTE:

There is class as usual on Tuesday, October 29; Wednesday, October 30; and Saturday, November 2.

Please remember that our next Religious Education Mass is taking place this coming Sunday:

When:           Sunday, October 20, 2024

Time:               11:15 am

Location:        Church

We are celebrating this Mass so that all the children, families, and catechists of the Religious Education Program can come together to pray and celebrate, united as one community in Christ.  Our Music Ministry choir will be singing and leading us in giving praise to God.  Students from our Seventh Grade and Up classes will be participating in the various roles of the Mass. 

CLICK HERE to download the guide with the prayers, songs, readings, and Mass parts so that you and your child(ren) may follow during the Mass.

We look forward to having all of our families join us, and seeing all of you as we pray and celebrate during our Mass this Sunday!

Thank you, and God bless you.

Per the direction of the Archdiocese, due to the approach of Hurricane Milton, the office will be closed and Religious Education classes have been CANCELLED for the Tuesday and Wednesday groups.

There will be NO Religious Education classes on:

• Tuesday, October 8

• Wednesday, October 9

Classes will resume the following week:

• Tuesday, October 15

• Wednesday, October 16

There will be CLASS AS USUAL for the Saturday students on Saturday, October 12.

Let us keep the people who live on the west coast of Florida in our prayers, as well as everyone who will be impacted, asking our Lord to accompany them and all of us as this hurricane passes through our state. 

As mentioned during the Welcome Orientation, continuing an initiative during the Eucharistic Revival, we will be starting some of our classes throughout the year with the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.  This is to help our students to develop a love and devotion for our Lord Jesus Christ truly present in the Eucharist.  Next week, we will be having our first Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for this year at the beginning of class.

Next class: Tuesday, October 1; Wednesday, October 2, and Saturday, October 5, students need to go directly to the church, NOT THE SCHOOL, when they arrive.  

Please refer to the email sent to the parents for complete details regarding the procedures that will apply for this week have been sent via email to the parents.

• *Students who do not arrive by the time the adoration starts and the doors of the church are closed will be considered absent for this class.* 

Most especially as we will be in the church in the presence of the Lord, all students need to be dressed appropriately (following the program dress code).

They should also bring their books and supplies as usual for regular class after the Adoration.

Again, students need to be at the church this week by the regular time for the start of their Religious Education class.

Thank you, and God bless you. 

We had a successful first week of formal class, and we thank you for your support and cooperation as we continue on this Catechetical year.  We also give thanks to everyone who joined us for our opening Religious Education Mass yesterday.  A special thank you to all of the students who helped to make yesterday's Mass such a wonderful and amazing celebration: the lectors and offertory bearers from the Confirmation class, the altar server, and all of the members of our Music Ministry choir who sang so beautifully at the Mass.  It was a great blessing to gather together as a Religious Education family to pray and to celebrate.  We look forward to seeing everyone at our next Religious Education Mass in October as well as throughout the year. 

We would like to remind you of a few guidelines of utmost importance mentioned at the Parent Orientation to keep in mind throughout the year:

DROP-OFF AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

Please remember the drop-off and dismissal procedures as explained during the Welcome Orientation and sent to you via email. 

• • For students in grades 1-6 & First Communion: PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE DISMISSAL CARD PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM MUST BE PRESENTED WHEN PICKING UP STUDENTS IN THESE CLASSES. 

DRESS CODE

Students should come dressed comfortably, but appropriate for class and church (especially as our catechists often take their classes to the Chapel during class, and we will be participating in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the year).  In other words, all students are expected to dress modestly.  Students are not to wear “short” shorts or “short” skirts (must be knee-length), tank tops, sleeveless attire, gym shorts, sweat pants, leggings, ripped jeans, flip-flops, crocs, or distracting hair pieces (large bows, animal ears, etc.).  Sports uniforms are also not permitted. 

ATTENDANCE

Please remember that for those students in the first or second year of preparation for a sacrament, we allow up to five (5) absences for the year, regardless of the reason, in terms of counting the year toward sacramental preparation.  There are no excused or unexcused absences.  If a student is absent, the office may send a courtesy email to inform you of the number of absences your child has up to that point.  (This guideline does not apply to students in first grade and to students in grades 4-6 who have already received First Communion.)

BOOKS / SUPPLIES / BAGS

Students received their books this past week in class.  The book must be brought to class every week.  Students also need to bring a pencil or pen, along with any other supplies requested by their catechist.  ONLY the green Religious Education Program drawstring bag may be used to carry books and supplies.  NO other bags are permitted. 

FOOD, DRINKS, AND GUM

Please remember that students may not bring any food or drinks to class, including all types of water bottles, as they are not allowed inside the classrooms.  In addition, gum chewing is not permitted.

All of the above guidelines are taken from our “Religious Education Handbook,” which contains all the procedures that will be followed this year.  It is available on our website at www.stkevinrep.org, under the “GENERAL CLASS INFO” tab. 

Please be sure to also check our website, www.stkevinrep.org, frequently for any updates and new information regarding your child’s Religious Education classes, including class outlines.  The website will be our primary conduit of communicating pertinent information to you.  Also, please check your emails on a regular basis for any important information and reminders we may send throughout the year, and to add our email address to your contact list to ensure that any emails from the program are not sent to your spam/junk folder.  

Thank you for your support and cooperation.  May God bless you and your families. 

Please remember that our opening Religious Education Mass is taking place this coming Sunday:

When:                Sunday, September 15, 2024

Time:                 11:15 am

Location:           Church

This Sunday, the Church in the United States celebrates Catechetical Sunday, the national day that celebrates the ministry of catechesis and religious education.  Hence, the 11:15 am Mass this Sunday will be celebrated and dedicated especially for the students, families, and catechists of our Religious Education Program.  As we kickoff this new catechetical year, let us come together to pray for a successful year and to celebrate our unity as one community in Christ.

Our Music Ministry choir will be singing and leading us in giving praise to God.  Students from our Confirmation classes will be participating in the various roles of the Mass.  Our Catechists will also be commissioned in their important mission of sharing and passing on the faith to your children and families.

CLICK HERE to download the guide with the prayers, songs, readings, and Mass parts so that you and your child(ren) may follow during the Mass.

We look forward to having all of you and your families join us as we pray and celebrate during our opening Mass this Sunday!

Thank you, and God bless you.

We thank everyone for their presence and participation in this week’s Welcome Orientation. We are excited to begin our classes for this year, and we know that they will be wonderful and fruitful for all with the grace of our Lord and the support and cooperation of all of our families.

An email was sent to all attendees with follow-up information for this year, including information on:

-   Handbook

-   Welcome Packet

-   Class Outlines

-   Emails and Website

A separate email was also sent with more detailed information on the Covid-19 guidelines as well as the process for drop-off and pick-up for this year.

We look forward to the start of our formal classes this week. God bless you.

We take this opportunity to welcome you to the beginning of the St. Kevin Religious Education Program for the 2024-2025 Catechetical Year!

The classes begin this week.  As mentioned at registration, for the first day of class, we will have our Welcome Orientation for this catechetical year. 

• The Welcome Orientation will take place in-person at the parish. (Information has been sent to the parents via email.)

• The Welcome Orientation will begin promptly at the regular start time of class.

• At least one of the parents MUST be present with their child(ren) at the Welcome Orientation, where you will receive important information regarding the classes and the program for this year.

• You and your child will also be meeting our catechists for this year. 

• Please remember that attendance at the Welcome Orientation is required for ALL students and parents, and your attendance at the orientation with your child will count as a class day in terms of your child’s attendance for this year.

• Please arrive on time, as the doors will be locked 15 minutes after the start time of orientation. 

• Only parents and students who are already registered will be able to attend the Welcome Orientation.

We look forward to seeing all of our students and parents at our Welcome Orientation!

We hope that you and your families are having a fun, safe, and blessed summer.

Registration for the 2024-2025 Catechetical year is taking place in August.

On our website, you can find all the information regarding registration, including the dates and times of registration, the registration forms, class days and times, fees, and other required documents. Sacramental information can also be found on our website.

Registration forms can be downloaded from the website, from the "REGISTRATION" tab, and they are also be available at the Parish Office.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Thank you, and God bless you.