Commissions - Lifelong Faith Formation - Child Ministry

2010-2011 Lifelong Faith Formation Handbook
View details about each program, as well as policies and important dates.

Calendars

Forms

2011-2012 Lifelong Faith Formation Handbook
Lifelong Faith Formation Parent Handbook
2011-2012 Registration Form Grades K4-K5
last updated 5/11/2011
Confirmation Calendar 2011-12
Calendar for Confirmation Students
Confirmation Check List
updated 5/16/2011
Confirmation Registration 2011/2012
last updated 10-6-2011
LLFF Grades 1-10 Registration 2011/2012
Parent Evaluation Form 2010-2011
updated 5/11/2011
Parent Participation Volunteer Opportunities
last updated 5/11/2011
Reflections on Sunday Mass
A reflection sheet for Sunday Mass.

In This Section

Curriculum Sessions (All Grades)

We provide specialized curriculum for each grade level. Please see the Handbook for details about the curriculum used for each.

Volunteer Opportunities

Preschool Religion Program is in session during the fall and winter-spring semester during the 9:00 am Mass. Adult catechists must enjoy working with groups of 10-15 children. Training and support is provided

Religious Education Classes for grades 1 to 8 meet during the school year on either Mondays from 6:15-7:30 pm or on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:15 pm. Classes meet 10 times per semester. Catechists must be practicing Catholics and have a love of their faith and our youth.

Teaching experience not necessary, but helpful. Training, guidance and support are provided. A monetary stipend or free program tuition is offered.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Grade 2)

Children preparing to receive Eucharist or Reconciliation for the first time are required to be enrolled in religious education during the year prior to as well as the year of preparation for the sacrament they will be receiving. This means the child must have been enrolled in a formal religious education program or a catholic school setting. It is necessary that your child participate in our parish sacramental program process. Please watch for a separate mailing to register your child/children for these special sessions.

Second grade parents will receive registration information in early fall for preparation sessions which will begin in early January.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a special opportunity for all children of the parish from K4 through grade 4. VBS meets mornings during a week in summer, usually late June. VBS is full of singing, crafts, Bible stories, snacks, games and much more.

Volunteer Opportunities

Adults must enjoy working with young children. Youth grades 5-12 are welcomed to assist the adults as group leaders. Training and support are provided.

Middle School Youth Group

The Middle School Youth Group was created over six years ago for our youth to experience fellowship in a Christian atmosphere and also provide a means for them to give back to the community through service opportunities. The Middle School Youth Group is an organization for all St. Mary Parish middle school students from both public and private schools (6th, 7th, and 8th graders). It provides a safe supervised atmosphere for kids to build community in faith and friendship.

There are three aspects to this organization: service, social and spiritual. Over the past five years social activities have included: dances and open gym nights, Lock-Ins, skating at the Pettit Ice Center, swimming at a local high school, a night at the Bucks/Wave game. Service activities included serving meals to the homeless at St. Ben's, visiting the sick and elderly at nursing homes, raking leaves for those in need, and making and delivering sandwich lunches for those at Guest House. Activities will start up again in the fall. Watch for announcements of parent planning meetings and activity nights.

Athletic Programs (Grades 1-8)

Sunday Child Care

The Lifelong Faith Formation area offers child care for children age 3 and under. Child care is provided during the school year at the 9:00 am mass when the Kindergarten classes are in session - usually 9-11 times per semester.

Volunteer Opportunities

Other Catechetical Opportunities for Children

Rainbows

Rainbows is a support program for children who have experienced loss through death or divorce. It provides a safe environment for children to express and discuss their feelings of loss. The program is led by trained parish facilitators. Please call Jim Beuscher, at 414-425-3101, for more information.

Special Needs

For children with special needs (mental retardation, emotionally disturbed, behavior disorders or learning disabilities), we offer an alternative catechetical process for children unable to succeed in a traditional classroom setting.

Place and Schedule: Determined by the numbers asking to be served. For information or to register call Jim in the Lifelong Faith Formation Office at 414-425-3101 x314.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children in grades 1-5 are invited to participate in the Children's Liturgy of the Word on the first and third Sundays of the month during the 9:00 and 11:00A.M. Liturgies. No registration is required. After the opening prayer, children, grades 1-5, join adult facilitators who help them understand the messages of the day’s readings, and return to the assembly after the Prayers of the Faithful.