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CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:
YOU CAN DO IT!Welcome to our page for children's religious education! Our parish provides catechesis for all children by equipping parents with the tools, resources and support they need to successfully teach their own children the Faith. We lean heavily on A Family of Faith curriculum by Sophia Press. This curriculum was created in recent years with the focus of engaging the whole family -- from young children to parents -- in the journey of growing in understanding and practice of the Faith. Raising children as well-formed Catholics may seem a challenging task; some days are really, really difficult! By God's grace, and through the beauty and structure of the family, God has uniquely given parents what they need to educate their children. No catechist can catechize your children better than you; because no catechist can be you! So don't worry; with God's grace you can do this! And we'll be here as your parish community, supporting you all along the way! -
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“The ministry of evangelization carried out by Christian parents is original and irreplaceable. It assumes the characteristics typical of family life itself, which should be interwoven with love, simplicity, practicality and daily witness.” -Familiaris Consortio
Family Faith FormationOur family faith formation program uses a resource called A Family of Faith because it is uniquely crafted to help children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of the Faith through the Christian witness lived by their parents. Recent academic studies have revealed that the lived witness of parents is the most important factor (by a huge margin!) in ensuring their children develop strong virtues and continue in the Faith of their parents.
A Family of Faith provides parents an easy-to-use resource for catechizing their whole family, and in the process, helping them on their journey to heaven.
HOW DO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN PARTICIPATE?
All families with children of any age are welcome to join (not just K-5)! So don't worry about having to find something else for your older or younger children to do; they are welcome to join us.
Beginning in the fall, we will have Family Gatherings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, from 6-7:30PM in the Hospitality Center.
Family Gatherings will begin with a simple meal and will feature something for the entire family.- A nursery will be available for infants. (Availability depends on adult volunteers. If you know of anyone who would like to help in the nursery, please let us know!)
- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) will be available for children ages 3-6 years old.
- Children in 1st through 5th grade will break into age-specific groups (includes kids preparing for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Holy Communion - see below).
- Youth in 6th through 12th grade will participate in youth group (includes youth preparing for Confirmation - see below).
- Parents will gather for their own fellowship and learning facilitated by the Director of Faith Formation. Through authentic discussion about the application of Catholic teachings, parents will help one another become great witnesses of faith for their children.
Purposefully Catholic Videos are an online resource produced by the parish. Each episode of Purposefully Catholic will be used to support A Family of Faith and offer guidance on the topics covered by the resource. Episodes of Purposefully Catholic will be released regularly and will be available as a video on the parish's YouTube channel, or a Podcast for on-the-go listening.
Sacramental Preparation for:- 1st Reconciliation & 1st Holy Communion will meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 6-7:30pm in the Hospitality Center. More information will be sent to you following the submission of this registration form.
- Confirmation will meet Tuesdays in the Great Room from 6-7:30pm. More information and a detailed calendar will be sent to you following the submission of the registration form (see below).
WHAT MATERIALS DOES MY FAMILY NEED TO PARTICIPATE?
A Parent Guidebook for A Family of Faith will be provided for each household to participate in this program. Books will be distributed at the first Family Gathering after the books are delivered to the parish.
A Children's Activity Book for A Family of Faith will also be provided for each child in 1st through 5th grade.
ADDITIONAL WAYS TO PARTICIPATE:
ADORATION - As an additional prayer opportunity, your entire family is invited to join us on the 1st Tuesday of each month for a time of family-friendly Adoration. We will gather at 6pm in the Great Room. From there, we will embark on a "pilgrimage" as we seek to encounter the Lord. Adoration will feature times of praise & worship music, silence, and community prayer. Following Adoration, we will gather as a community for fellowship and to share a meal together. (Please check the monthly parish calendar for changes and updates)
CHILDREN'S MASS - As a way to get our children more involved with the Mass, the 10am Mass on the 3rd Sunday of each month will be a children's Mass. Children and youth will be encouraged to help serve at Mass in a variety of ways!
LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS - Throughout the year, there will be various opportunities for children and families to participate in the many great Catholic feasts spread throughout the liturgical calendar!
Registrtion
To register your child for Children's RE, please email Jeanette Schueller at jschueller@stpiuscda.org.
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