First Fridays

We will be meeting on First Fridays at Assumption for Adoration, Confession, Mass and a BYO lunch. Adoration begins at 10. Confessions from about 10:30. Mass at 11.

First Friday Masses Reinstated

The pastor at Assumption has, after all, decided to reinstate the offering of First Friday Masses at 11 a.m. as they have been in the past. Please join other homeschoolers and parishioners in the sacrifice of the Mass and BYO lunch afterward. 

No Further First Friday Masses

Due to a change of pastors at the Church of the Assumption, there will be no further First Friday Masses offered nor any get togethers after Mass. Please join our listserv for information about other activities. 

Home Schooling Conferences

We had a great turn out from Nashville home schoolers at the first IHM conference in Tennessee. Here's hoping for another one next year.

If you missed that or are looking for another conference in the area, the Kentucky Homeschoolers will be having their conference in Louisville on June 7th and 8th.

Recent Activities

As usual, our group continues to meet regularly on First Fridays at Assumption for Mass at 11, with confession offered beforehand from around 10:30. Many families bring lunch and stay afterward to enjoy some social time.

Other recent or upcoming activities have included an inspirational talk for moms by Jennifer Mackintosh, Moms' Nights out, a trip to the zoo, a May Crowning, and a family picnic.

First Fridays at Assumption

Join us every First Friday at Assumption Parish for Mass at 11. Followed by a BYO lunch and playtime in the Fr. Bernard Hall next door. Fr. Michael offers confessions from about 10:30 until 11.

Upcoming Catholic Homeschool Conferences

Although there is not a homeschooling conference specifically for Catholics in Nashville, we are fortunate to have a few good ones not too far away.

First, March 18-19 comes one in Memphis. Next, on April 2, there will be a conference in Atlanta. Finally, in June there is a Catholic homeschooling conference in Kentucky.

I went to my first homeschooling conference last year and really enjoyed the experience and the inspiration to keep on going. I highly recommend trying to get to one of these options.

Mom's Night Out

Get out of the house, chat and eat with other Catholic homeschooling moms. Join us on February 16 for a night out. For more information, e-mail me.

Join Us...

MARCH meets every First Friday at Assumption Church for Mass, lunch and play time. Other activities take place throughout the month. South MARCH (for Catholic homeschoolers in and around Franklin, TN) meets several Fridays out of the month.

Year Opening Mass

MARCH will be having a Mass to open the school year at Assumption on the first Friday in September. Come join us for Mass and pizza afterwards. Parents, bring your ideas and calendars, so we can begin to plan our school year activities!

End of Year Program

The Spring is advancing quickly and summer will soon be upon us. It is time to think about our annual MARCH End-of-Year program.

For those of you who have not yet participated in this event, I would just explain that it has become a favorite MARCH tradition. We gather on a weekend afternoon and our children use the opportunity to display their particular talents. They play an instrument or dance or recite a poem. They might perform a little skit or bring artwork. Once we had a display of the fruits of the garden; on another occasion there was a chess demonstration. This is intended to be a fun opportunity for us all to enjoy each others' talents. The kids do not have to be ready to appear at the Schermerhorn.

Who: All are invited.

What: MARCH End-of-Year Program

When: Saturday, June 26

Please bring:

A side dish or dessert. Karen Pagan and her son John Paul will make something wonderful for a main dish.

Flood Recovery

Nashville and the surrounding areas suffered an enormous flood. For information on where to send help, visit here.

Prepare for Lent and Celebrate Mardi Gras Early

Since Lent will be beginning soon, this First Thursday at Assumption would be a good time for us to prepare. We'll be having some brief lessons for kids on getting ready for Lent, which will be split into two age groups.

But before Lent begins, people often like to have a little fun. Therefore, we'll also be decorating some Mardi Gras masks and having a little dancing after Mass.

What: First Thursday Mass at Assumption, preparation for Lent and a pre-Mardi Gras party

What should I bring? Bring a frozen pizza or two to share, ice cream or favorite toppings for banana splits, any dress up clothes your children would like to wear to dance in after Mass

I am looking forward to seeing you all there.

Advent Program at Assumption

Fr. George McGinnis, a member of the Fathers of Mercy, will lead an Advent Mission at Assumption.

WHEN: Sunday, December 13 through Thursday, December 17, 2009.

WHAT TIME: The schedule will be the same for each evening:

5:30 - Dinner in the Assumption Parish Hall
6:30 - Holy Hour in the Church with Exposition, Adoration, Homily, and Benediction
7:30 - Dessert in the Assumption Parish Hall

Fr. McGinnis will be available for Confession before and after the Holy Hour.

CHILDCARE: Childcare will be provided during the Holy Hour for children who have not made First Holy Communion.

All Saints Day Party

The annual MARCH All Saints Day Party will be held at 3 p.m. on November 1. Kids should dress as their favorite saint and come prepared to tell the rest a little bit about that saint and their story.

E-mail Jordana Adams at adamsjct -- at -- gmail dot com for more information about location and what to bring.

First Thursdays at Assumption

During this Year for Priests, a plenary indulgence can be obtained on the first Thursday of the month by attending Mass, offering prayers to "Jesus Christ, supreme and eternal Priest, for the priests of the Church, or perform any good work to sanctify and mold them to his heart," going to confession and praying for the intentions of the Pope.

Fr. Michael has agreed to say the Mass for MARCH and all parishioners at Assumption on the First Thursdays beginning on September 3. Confessions will begin at 10:30 and Mass at 11.

First Fridays at St. Philip's

South MARCH has a wonderful program planned for First Fridays after mass at St. Philip's. They will be using the Great Adventure Bible Timeline as the basis for their program and dividing kids into 3 groups by age. Contact Erin Morel for more details about the curriculum and program. MorelFam -- at -- aol dot com

Rustic Cabin Family Camping

This is an event not to be missed. A trip into the woods is planned for all members MARCH. No need for a tent because 43 rustic (and I mean rustic) cabins are available for our group. The cabins have either 4 or 2 bunks with room on the floor for more. There is a dining hall for meal preparation, 3 bathhouses, a field for sports, other structures for activities, and a lake. All of this is in an area that is secluded and for the use of our group only. Here are the details so far:

Who: All families of any MARCH

What: Rustic Cabin Family Camping

Where: Montgomery Bell State Park located in Dickson just west of Nashville

Cost: Currently estimated to be $75 per family for the entire weekend (less for day trips) including food. This is subject to change but would not change dramatically

For more information e-mail Steven Glynn nolapark1 -- at -- bellsouth dot net

Civil War and Belle Meade Plantation

The MARCH group is scheduled as a group to go to the Home School Days Civil War and Belle Meade Plantation program on August 24, 2009 at 9:30. Cost is $5 per child who will participate in the event. Preschool siblings are welcome as observers at no cost. E-mail Robin Sparks nashvillesparks -- at -- bellsouth dot net to reserve your spot.

Spiritual Armor

An excellent talk by Fr. Martin Fox at the Dayton Homeschooling Conference.