Faith Formation
We are called to rediscover the roots of our Catholic Christian heritage as a foundation for continued spiritual growth.

Curriculum Overview PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kristin Bird   
Thursday, 03 February 2011 11:02

The goal of our religious education curriculum is to supplement the faith development that happens in the home. Through the home and family, children should be surrounded with the sights and sounds of our Catholic faith.  The religious education program aims to help children understand those sights and sounds and make sense of how they are relevant to their daily lives.

St. Thomas Aquinas wrote that there are three things necessary for salvation:  "To know what we ought to do, to know what we ought to believe, and to know what we ought to desire."  In keeping with these goals, our curriculum works with families to:

  • demonstrate the need for prayer in fostering positivie self-concepts and in establishing a continued special relationship with God,
  • teach children about their Cahtolic beliefs and traditions including the Liturgy and the Bible,
  • help children learn how to make sound moral decisions,
  • and foster a connection with how Catholic beliefs apply to daily life.

Knowledge and Catechesis

Our religious education curriculum for grades 1 - 8 is based upon guidelines outlined in the National Directory for Catechesis, the General Directory for Catechesis, and the Department of Education for the Diocese of Green Bay.· We use textbooks, resources and supplemental materials that have been approved by the USCCB.

Grade 1

This year our First Graders will be introduced to some of the basic teachings that the Catholic Church presents about the Blessed Trinity. He or she will discover much about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The first unit introduces God as Creator. Your child will also be presented with a picture of God as a loving parent. God blesses us with a multitude of gifts! In order to recognize something of the goodness and blessings that fill God's creation, your child will consider all the wonderful gifts God has given to him or her. Chief among these gifts will be Jesus, God's most precious gift. The text used is RCL Benziger's Blest are We, Faith & Word Edition Grade One.

Grade 2

This year our Second Graders will be preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Preparation during the First Semester will focus on the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Second Semester focus will be on the Sacrament of First Communion. Children will learn that the Eucharist is a Thanksgiving Celebration as well as a sacrificial meal. In addition, there will be several opportunities to appreciate these sacraments through retreats and parent involvement. The texts used are RCL Benziger's Blest are We, Faith & Word Edition Grade 2 and The Gift of Reconciliation and Eucharist, by Silver Burdett Ginn.  Visit our Sacramental Prep page for more information on Sacramental Preparation in Grade 2.

Grade 3

The focus of this level is the Church and the kind of community the Church is called to be. The mission, the message, the prayer and the actions of God's family will be explored. Children will learn what it means to be one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic church. The text for third grade is RCL Benziger's Blest are We, Faith & Word Edition Grade 3.

Grade 4

Our Fourth Graders will learn about the church's rich tradition of moral example and teaching. This tradition will provide motivation and direction for your child's moral growth. We begin the year with a look at Christian morality. God makes all things good but sometimes, we are all tempted by evil and sometimes, we sin. However, the gift of Holy Spirit gives us the grace to CHOOSE good over evil. The text is RCL Benziger's Blest are We, Faith & Word Edition Grade 4.

Grade 5

Our Fifth Graders will study the sacramental life of the Catholic Church. They will learn that the Church is the Sacrament or sign of Christ in our world. They will come to appreciate the difference Jesus makes in our lives. The text is RCL Benziger's Blest are We, Faith & Word Edition Grade 5.

Grade 6

Our Sixth Graders will study the first major sections of the Bible, the Old Testament and its meaning for Catholics. Study of the Old Testament guides your child to see in Jesus the fulfillment of all the Father has promised, as well as, the perfect response to his love. The text is Loyola Press, Christ Our Life, God Calls a People, Grade 6.

Grades 7 & 8

The 7th and 8th grade students are entering the stage of life, if they have not already, when they begin to ask some of the hard questions such as: Who am I? How do I know what is right? Why do people suffer? What is the meaning of life and death? These are difficult questions, but good questions, because these questions, among many others, can help them arrive to a deeper understanding of Jesus, which will lead them ultimately to a deeper understanding of life.

The challenge is to provide a curriculum/program that will appease their intellect and promote curiosity about their faith as well as allow them to be more interactive with their peers as they seek answers to their questions about the relevancy of both Jesus and the Church in their lives. The core curriculum for both the 7th and 8th grade students will be the Christ our Life series, Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life. Through studying and learning about the second major section of the Bible, the New Testament, which this curriculum initiates, the students will grow in knowledge about their faith so that they may love Jesus more ardently and serve him more generously.

Bridging the Gap

Middle School EDGE Nights

The middle school program will, also, initiate a more peer interactive series that will supplement what is stressed in the core curriculum. Kristin Bird, our High School Youth Minister, will facilitate these sessions with several of the High School Peer Ministers.  These EDGE Nights provide relational ministry through relevant and age appropreiate lessons in a welcoming and structured environment.  They are designed to be relevant and hands-on moving out of the classroom and into a setting that meets the unique social and spiritual needs of middle school youth.

Through relational ministry, youth are challenged to be active in the Sacramental life of the Church.  The EDGE Nights offer positive experiences of Church for middle school youth wihch lay a foundation for them as they grow into a more mature faith in High School.

Prayer and Worship

Along with taking part in various special prayer services in our dedicated prayer room, Religious Education students (Grades 1-8), as well as the general assembly will come to a better understanding of our Mass celebration by participating in teaching liturgies. The teaching liturgies will occur about once a month during the first Saturday mass at 4 pm at the St. Peter Worship site.

Teaching Masses

In preparation for each teaching liturgy, the students will prepare for a specific part of the Mass. In their preparation, each grade will illustrate the specific section they are preparing for by making a banner. This banner will be a continuous learning tool as each grade adds their ideas and perceptions of what each major section of the Mass represents. The students in Grade 5 will provide the framework and foundation of the children's teaching Mass liturgy. Emphasis this year will be on God's Greatest Commandment—the Law of Love.

During the liturgy, the students will participate by being involved in age-appropriate ways. Father will incorporate what they studied in the classroom into the Liturgy by noting their actions and explaining the importance of that particular section of the Mass. It is strongly recommended that each student participate in their special liturgy. Please plan your calendars accordingly. The schedule for this year's Children's Teaching Liturgy Celebrations is as follows:

October 2 – Grade 5
November 6 – Grade 3
December 4 – Grade 7/8
February 5 – Grade 6
March 5 – Grade 4

Parents will be notified two weeks prior about the time for their children's special Teaching Mass. As noted above, each grade is responsible for one liturgy except those students in Grades 1 and 2. Students in Grade 1 will lead and participate in an end-of-year prayer service on Wednesday, April 20. Students in Grade 2 will participate in their First Communion celebration in various significant ways. The children's roles will be assigned in advance and will be practiced in church during class session.

Service and Sharing

Students will also participate in several service projects throughout the year that will promote awareness in three significant areas; global awareness, community awareness and parish awareness.  Updated information about these service projects can be found on the Religious Education homepage.

Through Prayer, Knowledge and Service, the students will hopefully come to a better understanding of their faith and will desire to take ownership of this very special gift that has been passed down from generation to generation. They will, also, hopefully come to a better understanding of how Jesus and the Church is one and the same.
 
Children's Liturgy of the Word PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kristin Bird   
Thursday, 03 February 2011 10:53

Back by popular demand is our Liturgy of the Word program offered as part of the Sunday morning masses (starting September 26).Children's Liturgy of the Word

What is Children's Liturgy of the Word?

This program is designed for children pre-school through elementary age to suitably adapt our Liturgy of the Word, to make it more understanding to the lives and experiences of our young children. It gives them the opportunity to understand the Gospel message so that they are able to better participate in the Eucharistic celebration.

What happens at Children's Liturgy of the Word?

The Children's Liturgy of the Word program is based on the scripture readings for each Sunday and includes a brief opening prayer, a child-friendly presentation based on that Sunday's scripture, a participatory activity and the recitation of the Apostles Creed.

Where do the children go?

The children will celebrate the Liturgy of the Word in a room set apart from the main congregation. At the St. Peter site they go to the Fireside or Oak Room, and ath the St. Mary site they go to the Lower Church.

At what Mass is the children's Liturgy of the Word held?

The Children's Liturgy of the Word is held on Sunday mornings at the 9 am Liturgy (SPS) and the 10:45 am Liturgy (SMS). The program is held on most Sundays during the school year - from the end of September to the end of May.

What age must the children be to attend?

The program is especially designed for children ages 4 to 7; however, all children are welcome to attend. Pre-school children must be accompanied with either an adult or with an older sibling.

How does the program work?

After the opening prayers of the Mass, Father invites the children (parents if needed) to come forward to the front of the church to receive a blessing and then proceed to the following areas with a volunteer—Fireside or Oak Room (SPS) or Lower Church (SMS) to where the program is held. The children return to their families in the church in time for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

How do I register my child for Children's Liturgy of the Word?

There is no fee or registration for this ministry. It will continue every Sunday thereafter unless otherwise noted in the previous weekend's bulletin.
 
Faith Formation Committee Minutes (January) PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kristin Bird   
Tuesday, 01 February 2011 09:40

Faith Formation Committee Minutes
January 25, 2011

Present: Fr. Jim Jugenheimer, Kirt Schwarm, Dennis Kallin, Mary Pogue, Peg Larson, Rich Trofka, Sally Coleman, Teri Doughty, Gabe Loiacono, Kathie Reed

Absent excused: Juliann Parkin

  1. Meeting opened with prayer.
  2. Agenda and minutes were accepted as read.
  3. Business at hand
  1. Speaker Series/Parish Retreat:Eucharistic Miracles was a suggested topic for a possible speaker series topic for February, but after prolonged discussion, it was decided to make this a part of the parish retreat March 20-23. Fr. Jim's subject will be "Family and the Eucharist, the Domestic Church" (or something on that order) with Sunday night beginning with solemn evening prayers and a short talk on the Eucharist. One night might include talks given by members of this committee on their favorite Eucharistic miracles; another night might include some talks by some of the City-wide Adoration Chapel adorers about what positive effects the chapel has had on them and/or the community. Gabe suggested a having a movie for kids on one of the nights that could be held in the lower church at the St. Mary's site, while the adults meet upstairs for the retreat. Rich suggested we have a contest open to families in which they would research a particular Eucharistic miracle and do a paper or poster to reflect it. We could set up all the posters in the back of the church for all to see during the retreat nights. Kathie brought up a possible concert by a well-known artist who does music relating to the Eucharist, but it was tabled briefly.
  2. Speaker Series for February: Gabe came up with the idea of having a movie night for adults using an Ignatius Press program of using a "free" movie from them on John Paul II, with the option for viewers to purchase books that night at a discount to our committee. A discussion followed, and it was decided to look into this further, but we set the date for the movie on Saturday, February 26th, following the 4 pm Mass, with popcorn and pizza to be served before the movie. We can have a sign-up the weekend before to determine the number of pizzas we will require.
  3. Speaker Series, general: Kathie Reed will further investigate the concert discussed earlier for possibly Corpus Christi weekend. Fr. Jim is hoping to have a pilgrimage to the Robinsonville Shrine this year, and Mary mentioned a local contact whose grandparents lived during the time of the miracles there. Sally mentioned having a Respect Life speaker in October.
  4.  Report from Parish Council by Dennis:
  1. The chairpersons will be giving presentations about their committees on Thursday, February 17, and Kirt and Rich will represent us there.
  2. Sister Diane's replacement was discussed, and a volunteer is wanted for the position. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
  3. Booklets about all the committees with pictures, etc. are suggested for election weekend on June 12. A personal invitation to possible candidates is the best way to recruit new people, Fr. Jim said. Outgoing people on committees may choose to run again.
  4. Volunteer Appreciation Night with desserts will be held at the St. Peter site, possibly in May sometime.
  5. The need for a Respect Life committee at this parish was discussed, and would be a sub-committee of Human Concerns.

E.  Hospitality Weekends: Dates and staffing were confirmed.

D.  Schedule for Adoration: Dates and adorers were scheduled.

IV.  Meeting closed with prayer.

Respectfully submitted,

Teri Doughty, co-secretary (with Mary Pogue)
 
Faith Formation Committee Minutes (December) PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kristin Bird   
Tuesday, 01 February 2011 09:29

Minutes

Read more... [Faith Formation Committee Minutes (December)]
 
From the Youth Minister's Desk...Relational Ministry PDF Print E-mail
Written by Kristin Bird   
Thursday, 27 January 2011 09:43

One of my strongest convictions in working with high school ministry is the importance of meaningful relationships.

People need to feel welcomed, accepted, and loved. They need to feel like they are included as part of the group or they aren't likely to stay around. BUT, you know what? Welcoming, accepting people, getting involved in each other's lives so we stay around really is not what we are aiming for. It's not just about some "new member retention" project.

Everyone has a baptismal call to serve.  Our youth ministers are adults who are responding to theirr baptismal call to serve in youth ministry.  They are important role models in teenager's lives and an integral part of our ministry to teens.  Their approach to youth ministry is rooted in service, commitment, and dedication to the Church and your teens.

The youth ministers are role models to all our teens.  They know that how they live and act as adult Catholics makes a strong impression on teens, and they are commited to passing on the faith and modeling what it means to be in relationship with Christ.  With that guiding principle in mind, there are three foundational behaviors you'll see from our youth ministers:

  1. They are present to the teens. 
    Youth Ministers are not here to preach, but rather to listen and to guide.  They are always present to the teens and willing to relate to them.  They work hard at building relationships with teens that help lead the teens closer to Christ.  That means they might be present at extra-curricular events, visit them at work, and get together with teens outside of church.
  2. They develop their own individual relationship with God. 
    The mission of youth ministry, leading teens closer to Christ, is always in the forefront of a youth minister or catechist's mind.  They know that they cannot lead teens somewhere they themselves are not going.  For this reason, they consistently work on their own relationships with Christ always seeking to deepen their own faith while constantly praying for the faith of your teen.
  3. They are defenders and protectors of teens' holiness. 
    Our youth ministers participate in numerous trainings and workshops designed to teach them how to form healthy relationships with teens.  They practice the ministry model outlined by Jesus when he sent his disciples out two by two.  Every relationship that a youth minister fosters with a teen is designed to help lead that teen closer to Christ.

There is an even deeper reason relational ministry is core to our mission and ministry with high school students.
It is the model of ministry that Jesus gave us in the gospels.

Read more... [From the Youth Minister's Desk...Relational Ministry]
 
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