Here is the email that went out to the participants:

“First off, men who wanted coaches, fear not! They are being assigned and they will be contacting you shortly! (We will send you an email with your coach’s name and contact number/email.

Your participation grants you free admission to the event, as well as a chance to win a date with women’s group!! We will be cooking and serving a meal for the winner of the competition!

If you have any questions, contact Shannon Diaz via Cell or Email.

Specific details of the event:
The competition will flow as follows:
Introduction of competitors -you will need a sash for this (perhaps get your coach to make you one!)
Talent portion- Anything goes! As long as it’s something that Fr. Kevin and John would not get angry about… Your talent should be approximately 3-5 minutes long. Speak to women’s group if you need special accommodations to this!
Theme costume! Lucky for you, the theme is Patron Saints. Dress as a patron Saint of your choice and be prepared to give a brief explanation of your Saint (i.e. who you are, what you’re known for, why you’re the coolest, etc…)
Formal wear: Self explanatory, dress to impress!
Interview questions: (in your formal wear): We will be asking you several questions mixing up pop culture and biblical references and just random. Here is a list of possible questions that could be asked. Note to make: some questions will be provided by the audience. Basically, be prepared for anything!!

Questions:
What are you doing for Lent?
What’s your favorite Bible verse? (brief summary of it, and why you love it)
What’s your favorite Lady Gaga song?
If you were canonized, what would you be the Patron Saint of?
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Legos or Lincoln Logs?
If you could learn any language, what would it be?
If you could travel to any country, where would you go?
What’s your favorite mythical creature?
If you were a knight, what would your name be, and what would your steed be?
Who’s your favorite author?
If you could empty a pool and fill it with anything, what would it be?
Which Harry Potter character would you be?
If you were a kitchen appliance, what would you be and why?
If the Marist’s were leaving, what would you give them as a going away present?”

Prayer Day – Discernment Group – Feb 20th, 2010
Coffee House – Feb 19th, 2010
Ash Wednesday – Feb 17th, 2010

If you have any photos to contribute to any of these albums please get in contact with me, my email address is rbridge@slonewman.org

We will be having two Masses with Distribution of Ashes on February 17th for Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. We will have two Masses at the Newman Catholic Center (11:10 am & 9:00 pm).  The center is located right behind the Cal Poly Health Center and ASI Rec Center.

If you would like to go to Mass, but are unable to attend either of these Masses, here is a list of massses around SLO:

For other masses and the locations of these churches please click here.

*Note: Ash Wednesday is NOT a Holy Day of Obligation, but Catholics are encouraged to attend Mass or to find another avenue for turning your attention toward God. If you are not Catholic, you are welcome to receive ashes on your forehead, however, receiving Eucharist is reserved for Catholics. You may also find the Lenten Fasting Guidelines posted under Lenten Fasting Guidelines.

Catholics are called upon to fast and abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and on Good Friday. We are also called upon to abstain from meat on all the Friday’s of Lent.

Canon. 1252: All persons who have completed their fourteenth year are bound by the law of abstinence; all adults are bound by the law of fast up to the beginning of their sixtieth year. Nevertheless, pastors and parents are to see to it that minors who are not bound by the law of fast and abstinence are educated in an authentic sense of penance.

What does it mean to fast? Church guidelines state that fasting means to eat 2 small, simple meals and one regular meal. All those who have reached the age of 18 and are under the age of 60 are called to fast.

What does it mean to abstain? Church guidelines call us to abstain from eating meat (this includes fowl). Those who have reached the age 14 are called to abstain.

It’s important to understand that the spirit of fasting and abstaining from meat has to do with calling to mind our spiritual hunger for God, and our desire to undertake acts of penance and sacrifice as a form of contrition. The spirit of fasting and abstaining is as important as the act itself. (Medical reasons always dispense Catholics from these particular acts of penance.) (If we are in a situation where only meat is served and we would embarrass or make our host feel uncomfortable at our refusal to eat meat, we should take what is offered and find another form of penance.)

• have already received the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation
• and are practicing Catholics (attending Sunday liturgy on a regular basis).

The program consists of:

• registering at the Newman Center
• attending all 8 preparation sessions
• securing a copy of your baptismal certificate
• being present for the Confirmation Ceremony itself

Session Dates 7 Times (all sessions are on Wednesdays from 7:30pm – 8:30pm):

1. 10 March
2. 7 April
3. 14 April
4. 21 April
5. 28 April
6. 5 May
7. 12 May
8. 19 May

Confirmation Date: 23 May at 6:00pm at the College Mass.

Please call Frs. John or Kevin for more information.

How this works / what you commit to:

1. Join us for the opening session on Sunday (24 January) at 3:30pm at Nativity of Our Lady Church (where we have the college Mass).
2. Commit to spending 30 minutes with a Scripture passage (given by your Director).
3. Commit to meeting with your Director 4 times during the week to share about the Scripture passage (scheduled around your classes and work).
4. Find your own ways to make the week a bit different (amidst your regular responsibilities — examples: go to a daily Mass, fast from TV or your favorite snack, pray the rosary, etc.)
5. Attend the closing Mass on Friday (29 January) at 5:00pm at the Newman Center.

This is our seventh Busy Students retreat.  Others have found that there really is time to pray and remember God during our crazy lives.

If interested, pick up a registration form at the Newman Center, fill it out, and give it to Linda.

DO SO NOW!  WE ONLY HAVE SPACE FOR 16 LUCKY STUDENTS.

If you’re looking to live with friends with similar values and a commitment to our Catholic faith, you ought to think about our Newman Community houses.

Our community houses are:

• places where students choose to live a more deliberate Christian lifestyle.
• places where students  support each other
• environments in which students can challenge each other to grow as God’s people.

If you’re interested, visit the “Community House” pages at the top of our slonewman.org home page.  You can also call the Newman Center and talk with Linda or Frs. John or Kevin.

We would also encourage you, to contact one of the current community house members to get a better sense of things (practical and spiritual).  If you don’t know who they are or how to contact them, call the Newman Center

Fr. John and Fr. Kevin are available at the Newman Center Monday through Thursday.  You can drop by the Center or you can make an appointment to share in this important preparation for Christmas.

Many parishes have Communal Reconciliation Services as well during this season.  If you don’t have time these last two weeks before break, check out your home parish calendar.

Dates for Reconciliation Services in SLO are:

• Old Mission / 14 December @ 7:00pm
• Nativity of Our Lady / 15 December @ 5:30pm

Happy Advent!  Good preparations!