Christian Parenting Course

via Zoom 
at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays

St. Denis has started a new cycle of our popular Christian Parenting Course to help parents raise their children in this challenging, secularized world.  The Christian Parenting Course is led by our deacon couple, Dennis and Christina Shin, and a great team of parent-facilitators.  Participants are meeting via Zoom on Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00 p.m. from January 25 through March 29.

The schedule and the topics are set forth below:

Jan. 25:    The Goal of Parenting
Feb. 1:      Forming Character
Feb. 8:     Applying Discipline
Feb. 15:    Building Relationships
Feb. 22:   No meeting (Ash Wednesday)
Mar. 1:     Understanding Identity
Mar. 8:    Nurturing Identity
Mar. 15:   Preparing for Mission
Mar. 22:  The Power of Family
Mar. 29:  Wrap-up


The Course is based on FamilyLife’s “Art of Parenting,” which teaches parents:  
     (1)  how to deal with the real-world challenges of raising children today; and 
    (2)  how to make faith the core of their parenting.

Each participant receives a free workbook; and each meeting includes prayer, a relevant and entertaining video (20-30 minutes), short workbook exercises, and small-group discussions.
 

Couples (fathers and mothers) are encouraged to take the course together so that, together, they can put into practice what they have learned.  Single parents also are welcome; and a father or mother can take the Course even if his or her spouse (or significant other) does not take the Course.  Those who will take the Course by themselves may want to invite a friend who is a parent to take the Course with you.  Then, you and your friend can compare notes and support each other as you put into practice, with your respective families, what you have learned.

Parents who took the Course in the past may want to repeat the Course this year as a refresher, or to accompany a spouse or friend who will take the Course for the first time.  In fact, if you took the Course in the past without your spouse, we encourage you to take the Course again this year with your spouse.  

For a brief introduction to St. Denis’s Christian Parenting Course, please watch this video:

For a longer introduction to St. Denis’s Christian Parenting Course, please watch this video:

For more information, please E-mail Deacon Dennis at:  [email protected].  You also can call the Pastoral Office at (909) 861-7106 for further information.

Together in Mission

In 2022, the Together in Mission Annual Appeal raised $13.8 million, which was distributed to 65 poor parishes and 75 poor Catholic schools throughout the Los Angeles Archdiocese.  

The recipient parishes and schools used the funds to invest in new roofs, freshly painted walls, upgraded electrical systems, and new security systems to protect parishioners and students. In addition, the recipient schools used the funds to buy new textbooks and give students access to the latest technology, thereby preparing them to succeed in our modern world.

Last year, St. Denis parishioners contributed $144,951 to Together in Mission; and, thus, we exceeded our parish goal of  $104,288.  Thank you so much for your generosity and for helping us to reach and exceed our goal.

This month, Archbishop José Gomez invites every Catholic to make a new commitment to Together in Mission for 2023.  This year’s cumulative Together in Mission goal for the archdiocese is $16.7 million; and our parish goal is $121,273. 

This year’s theme is “Shine His Light,” which reminds us that our mission as a Catholic family is to share Christ’s light, love, and hope with the poor and needy as well as with family, friends, and everyone we meet.

In 2023, please help us to share Christ’s light by making a generous gift today!  Your support gives our struggling parishes and schools much-needed hope.   

Please note that you do not have to donate any money now.  Instead, we are asking every household and family to make a new pledge this year to Together in Mission.  You can then take the rest of the year to fulfill your pledge.  

You may make a pledge in any of the following ways:
      (1)  with the information that was mailed to your home;
      (2)  with the pledge envelopes that are available in the pews and the vestibule of the church;
      (3)  by visiting TIMGive.org; 
      (4)  by scanning with your phone the QR code in the above picture; or
      (5)  by calling 213-637-7672 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.).

However you make your pledge, please be sure to identify St. Denis Parish as your parish so that St. Denis will be credited with your pledge and donation.

Thank you for supporting Together in Mission.

For more information, please watch the following video:

GriefShare:

help for those who are mourning 
the death of a loved one

If you’ve lost a spouse, a child, a family member, or a friend, you’ve probably found that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you feel.  This can be a confusing time, when you feel isolated and have many questions about things that you’ve never faced before.

Starting on Sunday, February 12, St. Denis’s GriefShare support group will meet weekly to help participants face these challenges and move toward rebuilding their lives.  The group will meet every Sunday from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in Room A in the Hall for 13 weeks with a different topic for each session, as set forth below.

Dates:      

February 12, 2023      Session One:  “Is This Normal?”
February 19, 2023      Session Two:  “Challenges of Grief”
February 26, 2023     Session Three:  “The Journey of Grief (Part One)”
March 5, 2023            Session Four:  “The Journey of Grief (Part Two)”
March 12, 2023          Session Five:  “Grief and Your Relationships”
March 19, 2023          Session Six:  “Why?”
March 26, 2023         Session Seven:  “Guilt and Anger”
April 2, 2023              Session Eight:  “Complicating Factors”
April 9, 2023              No meeting  (Easter Sunday)
April 16, 2023            Session Nine:  “Stuck”
April 23, 2023           Session Ten:  “Lessons of Grief (Part One)”
April 30, 2023           Session Eleven:  “Lessons of Grief (Part Two)”
May 7, 2023               Session Twelve:  “Heaven”
May 14, 2023             No meeting  (Mother’s Day)
May 21, 2023             Session Thirteen:  “What Do I Live For Now?” 


Each GriefShare session will have three distinct parts:  

(1)  watching a video seminar featuring top experts on grief and recovery; 
(2)  discussing with the group what was presented in the video and what is going on in their lives; and
(3)  discussing questions and comments from a workbook, which participants will use during the week for further study of the grieving process and for journaling about their emotions.

Just show up for one of the sessions.  You don’t have to sign up in advance.  

For more information, please contact Mike Shay at (714) 563-6510, or watch the following video: