Christian Formation

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES

These are held every Sunday after the 9:00 a.m. Mass in the Diocesan Pastoral Center classrooms. All children/and young people are strongly urged to participate in the Celebrating the Lectionary series for their age group. This includes those who may have received sacraments this past year, which is only the beginning of the on-going faith formation that is a life-long responsibility.
These group classes include:

Kindergarten and First Grade Second and Third Grade Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Grades Seventh, Eighth, Ninth Grades Children’s Catechumenate (for those who are not yet baptized)

CLOW

Children’s Liturgy of the Word - Children (eleven and under) are invited to participate in the special Liturgy of the Word, every Sunday at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. Father gives them a blessing and they are dismissed during the Liturgy of the Word to the Parish Center Conference room to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word, geared to their age level. They then return to Church to continue the Liturgy of the Eucharist with their parents.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION SESSIONS

For those who are eligible this year for sacraments the requirements are that you participate in the regular religious education classes according to your age level beginning in September. There will be special more intense preparation as the time for the celebration of the sacraments nears. We will follow the new Diocesan Policy for sacraments which places Reconciliation for all those in second grade (and older). All those who are in third grade (and older) are eligible to receive Confirmation and Eucharist at the same mass in late spring. There will be special sessions of preparation for adults and teens after the new year.

RCIA

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process by which interested persons gradually become members of the Roman Catholic Church. It’s a journey of faith and conversion. It also includes those who may have been baptized as Catholics but may never have practiced or been catechized in the Catholic Faith or received any other sacraments. Through hearing the Gospel proclaimed, through study and discussion of the Catholic experience and discernment of God’s call in their lives they seek to learn more about the Catholic Faith and what it means to be committed to the worshiping community and the apostolic life of Christians.

ADULT FORMATION

There will be two different opportunities for adults to deepen their faith by sharing with others to further their spiritual growth. Every Sunday following the 9:00 a.m. Mass, in the Diocesan Pastoral Center, there will be a discussion seminar using the Celebrating the Lectionary Series facilitated by a catechist. The focus is on taking the Sunday scriptures and relating them to your life experience. The second opportunity is a more informal yet faith oriented process that will be held after the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. masses in the parish Social Hall. There will be a few tables set aside as discussion tables at which there will be prepared questions to discuss, listen, share and learn and help one another grow in faith. You might also enjoy a cup of coffee while you join in this learning experience.

ENRICHMENT COURSES

"Soup and Study Sessions"
The Gospel of St. Matthew

Reserve Four Wednesday Evenings: January 19th and 26th and February 2nd and 9th 2011.

We will begin at 6:00 p.m. with delicious homemade soup and continue with our class at 6:30 p.m. Begin the New Year on the right foot! Fr. Vince will lead four prayer and study sessions on the Gospel of St. Matthew. While on sabbatical this past summer, he spent a month in the Holy Land. The program was called “Rediscovering Jesus in the Land with Matthew”. Along with scripture study, Fr. Vince toured throughout the land of Jesus and would like to share some of his experiences with you.

And so, please mark your calendars now for this opportunity to study Matthew’s gospel and learn more about the Holy Land.