LOS BANOS, CALIFORNIA
2023 OUR LADY OF FATIMA CELEBRATION
September 29th through October 8th
This year marks the 77th Anniversary of the Our Lady of Fatima Celebration, a traditional 10-day Portuguese "festa" (religious festival) celebrating Our Lady.
The OLF Celebration is hosted by the Our Lady of Fatima Society, a group of St. Joseph's parishioners who banded together in 1946 with dual missions: honoring Our Lady through prayer, and raising money to build and support Our Lady of Fatima School. The Society's members have raised more than $1 million for OLF and the Celebration is its largest annual fundraiser.
The Celebration is a special time for strengthening bonds between our school and parish supporters. It is therefore essential that OLF families show our appreciation not only by volunteering but also by participating in as many of the Celebration events as we are able.
This year's festivities will be held at St. Joseph's Church and on the Our Lady of Fatima School campus.
Please carefully read this entire page for important information regarding volunteer sign-ups, Bake Sale obligations, student attendance at the Novenas and much more.
EVENT PROGRAM
sign up for a volunteer shift
Staffing the Celebration's weekend festivities is a collaborative effort between the OLF Society and our Parents Club. Earn credit toward your Parent Hours requirement by helping with event setup or clean-up, staffing the Bake Sale, Bazaar or Snack Bar, or assisting with food service.
TK-8 families on Tuition Plan A must work at least 4 volunteer hours during the Celebration. Your family's hours may be worked by a parent, grandparent, step-parent or legal guardian. Alternatively, a relative who is 18 or older (e.g., an older sibling) can work your family's hours with prior approval from the Parents Club Board.
Clean up shifts earn time-and-a-half. You'll get 1.5 Parent Hours for each hour of clean-up work.
Questions?
Crystal Guintini
Parents Club Board Member
(209) 675-4181
Sign-Up Online
Coming soon! Celebration shifts will be added to OnVolunteers this week.
BAKE SALE
For the Celebration Bake Sale, TK-8 families on Tuition Plan A must contribute either (1) one baked good per family or (2) a $20 donation. Preschool families are not required to participate but may choose to donate a baked good.
The Bake Sale will open at 8 a.m. on Sunday, October 8th at St. Joseph's Church. Baked goods and donations should be delivered to the Church between 6:30 and 7:15 that morning.
Please carefully read the FAQs below for important information.
Questions?
Sandra Sousa
Bake Sale Chairperson
(209) 535-6822
Please avoid bringing items that must be kept at a cool temperature. The Bake Sale will be outdoors, without refrigeration.
Items that usually sell well include:
- Fresh donuts
- Cookies
- Loaf breads (e.g., Banana, Pumpkin, Portuguese Sweet Bread)
- Cakes
- Muffins
- Cupcakes
- Brownies
- Lemon Bars
- Traditional Portuguese or Mexican baked goods
Yes, but homemade items sell better. Buyers are less likely to pick items they can get from a grocery store bakery. If you don't personally enjoy baking, consider asking a relative or friend to prepare something.
The requirement is "one baked good." But if you're bringing an item like cookies or brownies, consider bringing at least a half-dozen or up to one dozen treats.
If you're opting to donate $20 instead of contributing a baked good, then you can bring a cash donation to the Bake Sale coordinators on Sunday, October 8th at St. Joseph's Church. If you neither drop off a baked good or donation that day, your FACTS account will be charged $20.
Bake Sale staff will have a list of all school families. When dropping off baked goods or cash donations that morning, please wait and be sure staff have checked off your family. Those without record of a donation will be charged $20 through FACTS.
Please drop off your baked goods between 6:30 and 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 8th at St. Joseph's Church. The Bake Sale opens to customers at 8 a.m. Early drop-off gives staff time to price and organize items.
Yes. Please bring goods already wrapped in clear cellophane or clear bags, boxes or other containers. Packaging that allows the customer to see the goods is preferred. For individual items like cookies, it's helpful to sell varying quantities. You can package them in 2-packs, 4-packs or 6-packs.
When it comes to appearance, a little pretty goes a long way. Consider buying an inexpensive Dollar Store tray or container, or including decorative bows and ribbons when wrapping.
The Bake Sale is one day only, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 8th, at St. Joseph's Church.
No, we have no place to store baked goods in advance. That's why everyone must bring items between 6:30 and 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, October 8th to St. Joseph's Church. If you can't make that window, consider coordinating with another parent to deliver on your behalf or contact one of our Chairpersons.
STUDENT SCHEDULE FOR NOVENAS
The Our Lady of Fatima Novenas
A Novena is nine Masses held on consecutive evenings during which a parish community gathers to pray the Rosary and celebrate a special intention. For the OLF Celebration, our Novenas celebrate the Eucharist and are dedicated to Our Lady.
Student and Family Participation
All students should join us for both the Novena to which their class is assigned and the all-school Novena on Friday, October 6th. TK-8 students must dress in Formal Uniform. All of the Novenas are at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church.
Even though school staff will be present, students should be accompanied by at least one parent or guardian during the Novenas.
Friday, September 29th
TK and 4th Grade
Monday, October 2nd
1st Grade and 6th Grade
Tuesday, October 3rd
Preschool, Kindergarten and 5th Grade
Wednesday, October 4th
2nd Grade and 7th Grade
Thursday, October 5th
3rd Grade and 8th Grade
Friday, October 6th
All OLF Students
No classes assigned for September 30th or October 1st and 7th
SUNDAY MASS AND PROCESSION
All OLF families are encouraged to join us for a special Mass honoring Our Lady of Fatima at 11 a.m. on Sunday, October 8th at St. Joseph's Church. Students who attend Mass dressed in Formal Uniform, and who participate in the subsequent procession from the church will receive Free Dress the following Tuesday.
payment
Pay for Bake Sale and Food Booth.
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