Mission:
to embrace
the world and future generations with open arms, welcoming all children
to participate in faith formation, while also encouraging whole community
involvement; to inspire learning, growing, and witnessing God’s boundless
love through our faith formation lessons; to model our rich
traditions through prayer and ritual; and to encourage service
and compassion through social justice activities.
Dear parents and children,
Welcome to St. Jude Parish Faith
Formation. We offer numerous activities/class sessions to assist parents in
raising faith-filled children.
In 2007/2008, over
350 children participated in St. Jude Pre K – 6th grade faith
formation.
Religious Formation for Pre K (3yr & 4yr),
Kindergarten and 1st – 6th grade
All God’s Children – religious formation
for children with special needs
Summer Vacation Formation
Christian Initiation for Children
1st Reconciliation & 1st
Eucharist preparation
Religious
Formation for
Pre K,
Kindergarten and 1st – 6th grade
We offer open enrollment throughout the
year for children Pre k – 6th grade. Our regular session meet
September through May. We also offer a summer Vacation Formation (VBS) week
in July.
Choice of days and times
Pre K (3/4 yr olds) & Kindergarten
Sunday at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM
(We offer a Nursery for
toddlers to 3 yrs) Sunday
at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM
Grades 1st - 4th
Monday
4:15 PM,
Tuesday 4:15 PM,
Tuesday 7:00 PM
The 5th and 6th grade combo
class meets at 7:00 PM on Tue evenings.
In 2008/2009 we are offering group
formation activities during our regularly scheduled class times during most
school breaks.
Our Pre K-6th
grade religious education spiral curriculum uses a text actively supported
by the publisher. I encourage you to explore the “Call to Faith” series at
Harcourt’s interactive website.
http://your.harcourtreligion.com/ctf/nsmedia/menu.html
The publisher’s website offers parent
information and lectionary link resources. A multimedia faith word
glossary, interactive chapter reviews and faith & fun games are available
for children.
In
addition to the “Call to Faith” text, the 4th, 5th and
6th grades use the Catholic Youth Bible
® Revised, published by St. Mary’s Press.
This Bible, approved by the USCCB, is written in a language/style
appropriate for youth.
5th/6th
Grade: 5th
and 6th grade children have interaction in a combo-class environment
(opening prayer and activities); however, they receive grade appropriate
text religious formation. This introduction into a multi-age
environment facilitates a smoother transition into St. Jude’s Teen program.
Service and social justice activities, applying our Catholic faith in real
life, are a focus of this age level.
Communication:
Primary communication
with parents
is facilitated through a weekly “Family Envelope.” The Family
Envelopes are located in parish hall by the classrooms on days/evenings we
have classes. Updated each week, the Family Envelope contains a
variety of materials including: announcements, monthly newsletter and family
activities, many of which are not suitable for electronic transmission. I
ask that parents check their family’s envelope frequently to ensure you are
aware of important information.
Home School:
To support parents who choose
to home school their children’s religious formation, we offer the
opportunity to use the same US Catholic Bishop approved curriculum that we
use in our regular sessions. By registering your home school child(ren)
your family will be included in our communications and informed of all
religious formation activities( Parade of Saints, Christmas Eve
Liturgy/Children’s Choir, Children’s Stations of the Cross, Service
activities etc.)
Christian
Initiation for Children
We also offer a Christian
Initiation process for young people (age 7 – 17) who are interested in
joining our Catholic faith. (Contact the Faith Formation office for meeting
times) A parent and sponsor are
required to attend each session with their child. Siblings and grandparents
are also welcome to take part in our sessions. This intergenerational
arrangement benefits both the child and their family, as parents also
develop a better understanding of our Catholic faith and practice. The
teaching team works closely with Deacon Carl in coordinating, activities,
rites and celebrations. The children and teens participate in all of the
rites traditionally celebrated by the adult catechumenate.
All God's Children - Religious Education for Children with
Special Needs
St. Jude Children’s Religious Formation offers religious education
classes for children with special needs. This formation program is not age
or ability based, but assist children of all abilities in developing a
closer relationship with God. If you are the parent of a special needs
child, or if you are interested in assisting us with the program, please
contact Mary in the parish office for more information.
Sacramental
Preparation for 1st
Reconciliation & 1st Eucharist
The preparation for the sacraments of 1st
Reconciliation and 1st Eucharist is offered for children in
second and third grades. 1st Reconciliation is celebrated during
Advent. 1st Eucharist celebrated in May during regularly
scheduled liturgies. Parents are considered the primary educators of their
children concerning the faith. To assist parents, both Reconciliation and
Eucharist preparation are offered during formation sessions. In addition,
families participate in four experiential workshops during the year. If your
child is over third grade and has not celebrated 1st
reconciliation or 1st Eucharist, please contact Mary
I look forward to meeting you.
Blessings,
Mary Kellison
Pastoral assistant for Faith Formation
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR
Contact Mary @
425-883-7685 x121
2008/2009 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Many hands are needed to run our Faith Formation programs and activities.
We are in need
of co-teachers (the lesson plans and supplies are prepared for you)
and volunteers to support us in other tasks:
gathering
supplies needed for each grade level, sewing, music, drama, bulletin boards,
preparing activities at home etc.)
If you would
like to share your gift of teaching (co-teaching is a great way to learn) or
assisting us with our other tasks,
Please contact Mary
