What is Family Catechesis?
The church recognizes parents and guardians as the primary educators of our children. Our parish staff and catechists will work in partnership with you to enrich the faith lives of our children. We will do so by engaging in prayer, study and learning activities to develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. Our lessons will center on church teachings, faith traditions, and sharing in special liturgies and events.
Family Catechesis is applicable to all families registered in our parish Religious Formation program.
Liturgical Celebrations
We invite all family members of our Religious Formation students to attend Mass either on Saturday evenings or on Sundays and especially on Holy Days of Obligation. Mass is a special celebration, where we listen to the Word of God and partake in the sharing of the most sacred meal; the Eucharist. Our beginning of the year Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. for all grade levels with their families. This will be the class session for the day.
Also, please note there will be a monthly family Mass session held at 10:30 a.m. where each class will lead the community with the day’s readings, presentation of the gifts and other participation as we celebrate the Lord’s Day. These family masses will be scheduled on the RF calendar and celebrated in the church basement.
Family Home Based Materials
Age appropriate materials will be provided to you by your child’s catechist throughout the months of Religious Formation Classes. We encourage you to complete the material together as a family. During your time together, you will have an opportunity for learning, prayer, and ritual. You will be asked to complete the chapter review of the lesson or lessons your child’s catechist sends home along with the highlighted boxes on each of the pages of the chapter in the student textbook. We ask that you sign the page of the chapter review after completion. The time spent together is truly a gift and these activities are fun for the whole family!
Family Activities
You will be asked to attend at least one classroom session this year with your child and any other session noted specifically to your child’s grade level indicated on the Religious Formation Calendar.
Also, throughout the year, parents of students in grades K-8 will share in extra-curricular activities such as, the Halloween Party, the Annual Advent Prayer Service and Breakfast with Santa, and other fun activities for the whole family. Please check your child’s class folder and parish website for information on parish and family activities.
The Confirmation I and II Level students have many service projects planned for the year where they can share their time, talent, and treasure with those of the parish community, the community at large where they live, and of course, at home with their families. Please consult the Religious Formation Calendar or the parish website for information.
Intergenerational Activities
The parish will host intergenerational activities throughout the year where younger members of the parish are guided by the elders of the parish to engage in activities such as rosary making, prayer blankets, and prayer shawls. The rosaries are made to show those receiving the sacrament of First Communion how to pray the rosary and the importance of prayer in their lives. Also, prayer blankets will be made and shipped to missionary children in third world countries who have little means for clothing or basic needs. More importantly, the students will send prayer cards to the children of these countries to let them know they are cared for and this act of kindness is a way for our students to demonstrate the compassion and love of Jesus Christ.