“Catechetical Sunday” is an annual observance to recognize and bless those members who are catechists at Regina and in our parish ministries of Baptism, Noah’s Nursery, Children’s Liturgy, 2nd Grade Sacraments, 3-5 Grade Youth Group, Junior High Youth Group, H.S. Youth Group, RCIC and RCIA, Baptism & Confirmation. We wish to bless and recognize our catechists at the 10:00 Mass on September 19th.

The Sacrament of First Holy Communion will be May 1, 2011 at 10:00 Mass. Parents of youth 2nd grade or older who will be receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist, please contact Cheryl Schropp to register. Families are invited to the Social Hall after 10:00 Mass on Sept. 12th for an informational meeting. Classes for this group will begin September 19th. See http://stpatsic.com/sacraments for schedules.

Protecting God's Children: The Diocese of Davenport has implemented a safety training program, Protecting God's Children, which is required for all adults working with minors in the Diocese. This training session takes approximately 3 hours, and is offered throughout the Diocese. Anyone interested in helping with a classroom, team, group or class trip will be required to complete this training, and the associated paperwork, before they will be eligible. This course is required for both paid and volunteer positions. To pre-register for a class please go to www.virtus.org and click on Registration. Be sure to check for classes in the Diocese of Davenport and the Diocese of Dubuque (Cedar Rapids area) for a date that works best for you. Once you have registered for the class you will need to pick up a paperwork packet to complete and return. This paperwork will allow the Diocese to complete the required background checks. If you have any questions about this process please contact the parish office.

At the August 22nd 10:00am Mass there will be a Back to School Blessing for teachers, helpers and students of all ages.

We welcome and congratulate Shelly Conlon as our new Youth Ministry Coordinator!

There will be no Children's Liturgy at the Sunday 10:00 am Mass through August until September 12. If you know of anyone who might be interested in volunteering or wants more information, please contact Mary Murphy at mg9425@mchsi.com.

Hey, Kids! (and Adults): It’s not too early to think about school supplies. For the next 2 weeks the Social Action Commission will be collecting the following items for back-to-school supplies in a basket at the back of church: colored pencils, colored pocket folders, No. 2 pencils, glue sticks, rulers (with inch/meter markings), blue/black/red pens, wide-ruled notebook paper, 1 inch 3-ring binders, 70 page wide-ruled spiral notebooks, composition notebooks w/black & white cover, 12-count colored pencils, 24-count crayons, 8-10 count washable markers. If you can’t shop, you can donate to this cause.

YOUTH GROUP PICNIC—August 22nd! Families with kids entering 2nd-12th grades are invited to the Annual Youth Ministry Kick-off Picnic! Join us in the Social Hall for food, games, fellowship and fun! There will be info about the sacrament classes for First Communion and Confirmation as well as the Elementary, Junior High and High School Youth groups! Fried chicken, table service and drinks provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Call Shelly Conlon @ 341-8561 with questions.

Registration for all Regina students will take place on Monday, Aug. 9, from 8am-1pm in the high school gym. Parents should complete the online registration and print the fees form before coming to registration. Other important dates include new parent information night on Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 7 pm; 7th grade and new junior-senior high school student orientation on Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 8-10 a.m., and elementary open house on Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 1:30-3 p.m.

The Regina Home & School Association will be hosting the annual Take Pride In Your School Work Day at Regina Catholic Education Center on August 14th (Saturday) at 8:00 am. All Regina students & their families are invited to bring their wheel barrels, shovels and rakes to help prepare the elementary school grounds for the 2010-2011 school year. We will be spreading wood chips, pulling weeds and anything else needed to help make the grounds ready for the kids! For more information, call Jenn Huting at 319-356-0123.

Beginning July 12-August 16th we will be presenting “The Great Adventure” with Jeff Cavins at 7-8:30pm on Monday evenings in the parish Social Hall. Register on the Narthex bulletin board or by calling Pam Gantz at 430-6697 or 626-5857. Sponsored by the parish Faith Formation Commission and facilitated by Pat Ruxton.

The next Youth Ministry Planning meeting will be held in the ZAGA Room on Thursday, July 29th @ 7pm. All parents of youth in grades 3-12 are invited to attend! We need your help and support to make all our future events successful! Plans are being made for Youth Ministry events to be held in the coming months. Keep watching the bulletin for more details!

Hey, Kids (and parents)...make plans to have fun in the mornings during VBS at Regina Elementary the week of August 2-5! Registration forms are located in the Narthex for children pre-K through 5th grade. There are also Adult and Youth VOLUNTEER packets available. Learn more about who Jesus is and have fun singing songs, making crafts, playing games and eating a snack! Feel good helping others, too, by do-nating items for the Crisis Center and Haiti.

At the conclusion of its summer tour, the Newman Singers Choir will return to Iowa City to present a Midsummer’s Eve Concert on Tuesday, July 27th, 7pm at the Newman Center. Following the concert you are invited to make your own ice cream sundae with toppings & ice cream from Heyn’s. A free-will offering will be collected and donations for the ice cream are appreciated!