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> From: Justine Javier <jjavier@trinity.org>
> Date: March 30, 2014 at 7:29:05 AM EDT
> To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
> Subject: Palanca for Confirmation Candidates Due April 1st
>
> Hello parents,
> This is a reminder about the April 1st deadline to turn in the Palanca. There will be additional sorting of letters (from catechists, teachers and group leaders) and organizing all the letters into group colors and personalized bags, so it is important that you observe the deadline.
> Guidelines for turning in Palanca:
> We ask you to collect ALL the letters and then place them in the envelope that was given to you at the Session 1 for parents. If you don’t have that envelope e-mail me. Individual letters from family and friends need to be e-mailed or mailed directly to you, NOT to me. Once you have your child’s complete package, you can turn them into me. Remember, we ask that each child receive at the minimum 3 letters. We encourage you to reach out to extended family and friends who can show their support for your child during their faith journey.
> To Turn in the Palanca:
> Mail or Drop off the Palanca to:
> Holy Trinity Catholic Church
> 3513 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20007
> Attn: Palanca for _______
>
> Many thanks,
> Justine
>
> From: Justine Javier [mailto:jjavier@trinity.org]
> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 11:07 AM
> Subject: Confidential palanca information for Confirmation Candidates
> Importance: High
>
> Dear parents,
> On Sunday, April 27, the candidates will participate in an all-day Confirmation retreat. For many, it will be their first retreat experience. Because this is a significant process in their lives, it is important that the candidates know that they have a lot of support behind them in a very tangible way. Therefore, I invite you to write a Palanca or affirmation letter to your child for his/her Confirmation retreat. (Please be sure to read through the new collection guidelines at the bottom).
> As part of the support of this process, I ask that you please keep this letter confidential and not leave it where your child may see it and please do not talk about it in front of your child or their friends.
> The word Palanca is a Spanish word that means “lever”. Just as a lever enables a person to move something which is beyond normal strength, Palanca, as used on the Confirmation retreat, empowers the accomplishment of things which would not be possible without the grace of God.
> Palanca, which is one of the most characteristic marks of our retreat, is effective only when the prayers, sacrifices and works of mercy are done in conjunction with the presence of the Holy Spirit; allowing God to use us to serve his people.
> Bear in mind that these letters in and of themselves are not Palanca! The letters are merely a tangible vehicle in which we convey the actual Palanca being done. In other words, the effort, thoughts and prayers that go into the letters are actually the Palanca, not the letters themselves.
> During a period of reflection at the end of the retreat day, your child will receive a personalized bag filled with Palanca. These letters are of such significance in the retreat experience that every child is assured of receiving – at minimum - three letters: one from each parent and the sponsor. I also ask the team, catechists and other members of the Holy Trinity community to write Palanca letters to the candidates.
> I also invite and encourage you to ask older siblings, extended family and friends to write letters to your child. I also encourage you to write to another child who will also be on retreat as an extension of the love and support of the Holy Trinity community. I do ask, however, that you keep this experience confidential from younger siblings that may go through the process in the future.
> Your child’s COMPLETE envelope with the letters are due April 1st. Remember, we ask that each child receive at the minimum 3 letters. Please be attentive to this deadline to assure that your child receives their Palanca on time. I also suggest you follow up with Sponsors and family members so that they too observe the April 1st date. Please set an earlier deadline for them to e-mail or mail you the letters.
> 1. Helpful Guidelines for writing Palanca
> Sample letter attached
> One letter from each parent/sponsor written with the guidelines outlined below.
> Each letter should be brief – no longer than one typed sheet of paper.
> Pray before writing the Palanca and allow the Holy Spirit to guide your words.
> Think about what kind of Palanca (prayer, sacrifice or work of mercy) you want to offer to your child during the remainder of this preparation process and, in particular, on the retreat day such as letting them know that you will be praying for them every time you have to stop at a red light, or something like that. They should know it. (And you should be sure to honor your commitment).
> Positively affirm your child’s faith journey and affirm your role as a supporter of their life long faith journey.
> Reassure your child that you and God will meet him /her right where he/she is in their faith journey.
> Encourage your child to continue learning about their faith.
> Tell your child that you are praying for them.
> And, finally, while books or other gifts are nice, please leave them for another time.
> 2. Guidelines for sending Palanca:
> Please note this new way of collecting the palanca letters this year. We ask you to collect ALL the letters and then place them in the envelope that was given to you at the Session 1 for parents. If you don’t have that envelope e-mail me.
> Individual letters from family and friends need to be e-mailed or mailed directly to you, NOT to me. Once you have your child’s complete package, you can turn them into me.
> A. There are 2 best ways to Turn in the Palanca:
> Mail or Drop off the Palanca to:
> Holy Trinity Catholic Church
> 3513 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20007
> Attn: Palanca for _______
> or
> You can also turn in the palanca at the March 26th parent session.
>
> Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!
>
> Peace,
> Justine
>
> Justine Javier
> Coordinator of Youth Ministries
> Holy Trinity Church
> 3513 N St. NW
> Washington, DC 20007
> Phone: (202)903-2814
> Fax: (202) 337-9048
> =2