Please note: Advent begins on Sunday, December 1. There will be a separate newsletter with Advent information.

We are excited to continue our campaign of giving back to various community organizations on the First Friday of each month.

This month we are looking ahead to the upcoming holiday season and are requesting donations of items for a holiday meal. This could include spices, boxed potato dishes, canned vegetable, gravy, stuffing mix, mac & cheese, etc.

These items will be donated to the O'Fallon Food Pantry. Donations are due on November 8.

Each month, we are in need of parent volunteers to help bring the donations to each of the organizations. Please see the SignUp Genius below if you would like to help out.

Another aspect of our Knights Give Back program is providing meals to those in need at Cosgrove's Kitchen in East St. Louis.

Three times during the school year, the faculty & staff will spend a Saturday morning volunteering at the Soup Kitchen. In addition to the faculty & staff volunteering, a set of three grades will also provide the food items that the faculty & staff prepare and serve.

This time Grades K, 1st & 2nd will donate items to make sandwiches, soup, and dessert. Please see the Sign-Up Genius below to sign-up to bring in donations. Donations need to be brought in on Thursday, November 21.

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

During November we remember the Communion of Saints. All of the canonized Saints of the Church as well as our departed loved ones. On the weekend of November 2 & 3, attend Mass with your family and take a picture with your favorite Saint statue at Church and share it on social media using the hashtag #CompanionsOnTheJourney. Saints are important companions on our faith journey.

During November, we remember our deceased loved ones. This can be a difficult and emotional topic for some, but that doesn't mean that we should shy away from these discussions. They just take a little extra preparation. Some helpful things to consider:

• Follow your child's lead. Answer just the questions they ask in an age appropriate way. Try not to give too many details beyond what the are asking. Follow their lead.
• Put out pictures around the house of loved ones who have died. To make it extra special, place a small votive candles next to the picture. You can even visit their graves and pray the prayer of the month while visiting their grave.

Does your child like princesses?

Check out St. Elizabeth of Hungary! A princess who used her position of power to help those in need. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-elizabeth-of-hungary/

Does your child like being outside and exploring nature?

Check out Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. A kind young man who enjoyed spending time outside with his friends and often shared his faith with them while they were camping and hiking. https://www.usccb.org/topics/youth-and-young-adult-ministries/blessed-pier-giorgio-frassati

Does your child like stories of warriors and soldiers?

Check out St. Martin of Tours or St. Joan of Arc. Both were young people who led armies and had a great dedication to doing God's will in their lives. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-martin-of-tours/ and https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-joan-of-arc/

Does your child like video games and computers?

Check out Blessed Carlo Acutis. The first Saint of the 21st century who combined his love of the Eucharist and of technology to help spread God's love. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/blessed-carlo-acutis/

2 - All Souls Day

3 - St. Martin de Porres

4 - St. Charles Borromeo

9 - Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

10 - St. Leo the Great

11 - St. Marin of Tours

13 - St. Frances Xavier Cabrini

15 - St. Albert the Great

16 - St. Gertrude

17 - St. Elizabeth of Hungary

18 - Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter & Paul

21 - Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

22 - St. Cecilia

23 - Blessed Miguel Pro

24 - St. Andrew Dung-Lac & Companions

24 - Feast of Christ the King

25 - St. Catherine of Alexandria

28 - Our Lady of Kibeho

30 - St. Andrew the Apostle

During the month of November we pray for our deceased loved ones.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

November 1 (K-8 in the Gym): 8 Ayran

November 5 (K-4 in the Chapel): 4 Warnecke

November 7 (5-8 in the Chapel): 8 Lucas

November 14 (K-8 in the Gym): 7 Fischer

November 19 (5-8 in the Chapel): 7 Schultz

November 21 (K-4 in the Chapel): 3 Starzyk

November 26 (K-8 in the Gym): 6 Dillaplain

November 7 (Grades 4-7)

- 5th Grade: 9am - 9:30am

- 4th Grade: 9:30am - 10am

- 6th Grade: 10am - 10:30am

- 7th Grade: 10:30am - 11am (Benediction begins at 11am)

St. Nicholas

November 17 - 2pm to 7:30pm: 8th Grade Fall Confirmation Retreat

November 23 - 9am to 10:30am: Blessing Cups

St. Clare

November 24 - 2pm to 4pm: 1st Reconciliation Retreat

December 7 - 10am: 1st Reconciliation

*Special Note*: The parishes have received their Confirmation dates from the Office of the Bishop. Please note the following dates:

January 25 at 4:30pm: St. Nicholas Parish Celebration of Confirmation

May 4 at 4pm: Corpus Christi Celebration of Confirmation

May 9 at 7pm: St. Clare Parish Celebration of Confirmation

• “Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scripture to us? Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.”
  

• “You have been told, O mortal, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do justice and to love goodness and to walk humbly with your God.”