Director of Religious Formation for Youth: Jolene Clearwater 269-673-4455 ext:206
CLASS TIMES/GRADE GROUPINGS:
Classes are set to begin on Sunday September 16 after the 8:30 a.m. Mass. Class times and grade level groupings are as follows:
Grades 1-2: 9:30-11:00 each Sunday
Grades 3-5: 9:30-11:00 each Sunday
Grades 6-8: 9:30-11:00 each Sunday
Grades 9-12: 9:30-11:00 on the first two Sunday mornings of each month*
*Please note that high school meets on a different schedule than K-8.
PRESCHOOL/KINDERGARTEN CLASSES:
This year, we are also starting a new program for children in Preschool-Kindergarten and Parents. We will meet twice a month to learn about our faith, and to help you as parents in your responsibility for growing faith in the home. We promise learning and fun, along with faith-filled activities alongside your children. Please use the same registration from included with this letter to register for this program as well. You will be further contacted on specific details!
RELIGIOUS FORMATION FIRST DAY KICKOFF:
On September 16, our kick-off Sunday, we are getting started with a big event – a Bible Carnival! We hope you’ll come and meet the teachers and enjoy the morning with your children, or even taking an opportunity to chat with other parents! It should be a great way to begin the year!
FIRST COMMUNION/RECONCILIATION CLASSES:
First Communion/Reconciliation is always a big year. Children typically make their First Communion in 2nd grade. According to Diocesan policy, children must have two years of religious education before receiving these sacraments. For example, that might mean two full years of Religious Formation, or one full year of Religious Formation along with the year of preparation. If your children are older than 2nd grade and have not received the sacrament, we will be happy to talk about the best course of action for preparation.
CONFIRMATION CLASSES:
The youth team is currently in discussion with Fr. Simon about perhaps moving Confirmation from 8th grade to 10th grade for the purposes of better preparation. We will be in contact with you if you have children in 8th grade. We’d like to meet and hear from you regarding reception of this most important sacrament.
PARISH REGISTRATION AND ADULT FAITH FORMATION:
If you are not officially registered in the parish, please contact the office, or you can also find the parish registration forms on the table in the vestibule. If you plan to have your children enrolled in Religious Formation, you must also register as a parishioner.
Finally, I would like to note that if you are a parent, are not Catholic, and you are interested in learning more or taking the steps to become Catholic, our RCIA program will start up October 28 with a five-week inquiry class. The sessions take place at the same time as our children’s sessions, which are Sunday mornings from 9:30-11:00. Contact the office for info!
How your children grow in faith will find its measure in how you practice your faith as a family, in talking about God, in reading the Bible, and praying together and attending Mass weekly. We are here to help you in this responsibility and look forward to a great partnership as the year begins!
Our program for catechesis uses a two-fold approach of Scripture along with a series of doctrinal themes to teach the basis of our Catholic Faith. This ensures a comprehensive approach to learning the faith...a faith that is grounded in knowing Christ in the mind, and the heart and living it out within the reality of the Church to which we belong. Our own parish "Blue Book" is our source for the doctrine taught in our program...we welcome you to check it out!
Parental involvement is vital to sucess, consequently our program is very family centered. The sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion as well as Confirmation reflect this in that the whole family prepares together. Check out the "Scraments" page in this booklet for more information. We also offer opp[ortunities throughout the year for our parents and families to learn more about their faith. Our classes begin on the third Sunday in September and end on the third Sunday in May, taking place on Sunday mornings from 9:30-11:00, grades 1-8.