Commissions

Lifelong Faith Formation - Child Ministry

Commissions
Lifelong Faith Formation - Human Concerns Social Justice

The Lifelong Faith Formation Commission’s role is to tie all the ministries and groups involved in Lifelong Faith Formation together, providing encouragement, vision, and direction to staff and leadership involved in these ministries. This year our focus is to encourage collaboration and creativity between groups and ministries. We also want to concentrate on “Whole Community Catechesis,” specifically geared to engaging adults (children learn their faith by experiencing it with their parents and other faith-filled adults).

The LFF Commission continues to invite those interested to become part of this vital ministry. Please call Chris Warner, 414-425-0146 for more information.

View the 2007-2008 Lifelong Faith Formation Handbook for details about each program, as well as policies and important dates.

In This Section

• Curriculum Sessions (All Grades)
• First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Grade 2)
• Middle School Youth Group
• Athletic Programs (Grades 1-8)
• Other Catechetical Opportunities for Children

Curriculum Sessions (All Grades)

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

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 2007.

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)

St. Mary’s Athletic Association

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. Children will be invited to join the facilitators after the opening prayer and will return after the Prayer of the Faithful.

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