Faith Formation Catechesis

Purpose:  Our mission is to provide education in faith as well as spiritual formation to build a foundation for youth in a way which will help them develop their understanding of the Catholic Faith.  Our intention is also to encourage parents to be involved in the faith formation process as the primary catechists of their children.
Activities:  Religious education classes for youth; Sacramental Preparation for Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist; Sunday School for pre-school through Kindergarten; special events; Whole Community programs (home study with monthly family style retreats).
Where:  St. Jude’s
When:  October through May:  Sunday morning for pre-school and Whole Community, Tuesday evening for 6th grade, Wednesday afternoon for 1st through 5th grade.
Time commitment:  Dependent on the level of involvement.  We need help with everything from teaching to baking, creating bulletin boards to song leaders.  We can use your help in many ways and for whatever time commitment you have to offer.

Program options

Whole Community Family Program; Preschool thru 8th grade
Meets 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. one Sunday a month - begins Oct. 3, 2010
• Monthly retreats with large group time and break out sessions with a catechist for each age group.
• Adult Faith Formation included.
• Students receive text books to use at home between retreats.
• Students in First and Second year Sacramental Preparation have additional requirements

Weekly Religious Education classroom based program, grades 1-8

Grades 1-6 meet weekly with a catechist.
• Parent involvement is required.  A calendar will be given at the opening session giving the dates of the parent/child meetings which are all held during class time:
Grades 1-5: Wed. 4-5:15 p.m. Begins Oct. 6, 2010
Grades 6: Tues. 7:00-8:00 p.m. Begins Oct. 12, 2010
• Students in their first and second year of Sacramental preparation have additional requirements.

Grades 7 and 8: Junior High Ministry Nights - Begins Oct 5, 2010
• Meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month from 6:15 – 8:00 p.m.
• The class will be a mixture of youth activities and Faith Formation.

Preschool/Kindergarten – Begins Oct 17, 2010
Classes are held on Sundays while the parents attend the 10 a.m. Mass
• Children learn about God, Creation and Jesus in a fun age appropriate setting.
• Class size is limited.
• Preschool is available for 3, 4 and 5 year-olds in a combined group setting with a team of catechists.