Children’s Ministry

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

St. Mary’s Basilica utilizes Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program for its religious education of children and families.  Each lesson in Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program flows from the words of Jesus Christ in the Sunday Gospels.  Children learn their faith – including instructions in doctrine, sacraments, commandments, and prayer – within the rhythms and season of the liturgical year, encouraging a growing participation in the life of the parish community.

Why we use Pflaum Gospel Weeklies?:  Handout-for-Families

What are the components of the program?

Our program consists of a faith formation handbook – What the Church Believes and Teaches – for each child, plus 32 weekly Gospel-based lessons.  Together they provide a unique alternative to the traditional textbook or spending more time in front of a computer.  We provide the weekly guides after each session and online access to additional resources.

How do the handbook and weekly lessons work together?

The handbook leads children to understand the basics of the Catholic faith; the weekly guides inspire them to seek out ways to practice their faith in their daily lives. A special section in the weekly guides integrates each lesson with doctrine in the handbook.

How does the program involve parents?

Gospel Weeklies handout provides the most effective communication tool between parent and parish of any program on the market.  Every session reinforces the need for parents and children to actively participate in the Sunday Mass and the life of the Church.

Sample Parent Handout:  Gospel-at-Home

Is the program in conformity with the Catechism?

All five editions of Pflaum Gospel Weeklies: What the Church Believes and Teaches have been found in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church and meet the requirements for children’s religious education in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Preview your child’s weekly handout resource?

Children are divided into four sections, which are:  Promise: 1st Grade; Good News for Children: 2nd and 3rd Grade; Venture: 4th, 5th and 6th Grade; and Visions: 7th and 8th Grade.  You can preview a sample lesson below for each section.

Promise:  1st Grade
Sample Lesson:  Preview Pages 

Good News for Children:  2nd and 3rd Grade
Sample Lesson:  Preview Pages

Venture:  4th, 5th, and 6th Grade
Sample Lesson:  Preview Pages

Vision:  7th and 8th Grade
Sample Lesson:  Preview Pages

Registration and Schedule Information for 2022-2023:

Registration Form:  Registration Form 2022-2023

• Download the registration form and fill it out completely.  Handwriting needs to be legible.
• Return the form and payment to one of the below registration and orientation dates.  We ask parent / caregivers to sit through an orientation before registering their child, which includes safe environment training.
  • Sunday, August 7, 2022 – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 14, 2022 – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 21, 2022 – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 28, 2021 – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
    

Payment Plan Form:  Payment Plan Form 2022-2023
If you need financial assistance in paying the registration fee please download and complete the above form and bring it to one of the above registration and orientation Sundays.

Parent and Caregiver’s Letter:  Introduction Letter
Children’s Faith Formation Schedule: Children’s Faith Formation Schedule 2022-2023
Parent and Caregiver’s Handout: Handout-for-Families

For More Information

Coordinator of Children Ministry
Theresa Rodriguez
Phone:  (602) 354-2068
Email: [email protected]