CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATIONFAMILY HANDBOOK

2015-2016ST. MARY’S PARISH

JOIN US FOR A JOURNEY IN FAITH!

Faith Formation Mission StatementThe mission of faith formation is to bring the parish children and their families to a process of evangelization and catechesis that brings them into a closer relationship with God, an understanding of the tenets of our Catholic faith and their place in the Kingdom of God.

Welcometo the Children’s Faith Formation Program here at St. Mary. This booklet will provide knowledge of the basics of the programs we offer. Always feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Faith Formation Director: Janet Young

Telephone: 410-838-7471 or 410-452-5166 X24

Text: 443-421-3240

E-Mail: janet_stmarys@yahoo.com

Office Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10:00AM-7:00PM

What is Faith Formation?Faith Formation is designed to assist

families of faith in their journey to come to know God, grow in their knowledge of catholic doctrine and practice, expand their knowledge of Sacred Scripture and engage actively in the sacramental life of the parish. We never outgrow our need to learn and grow spiritually.Goals and Objectives:Faith Formation deals with the experiences of Catholic life, teachings and meanings in our daily life by deepening the faith of the children, shaping moral attitudes and widening the awareness of the child’s role through the gift of faith.

These goals are dependent upon life in a family that proclaims the message of Jesus in word and action, leads children to prayer, teaches moral decision making, invites children to conversion, involves children in Christian mission, and participation in the sacramental life of the Church.

Faith Formation is an active partnership of parents, children and catechists.

PARENTSin the celebration of the sacrament of Baptism are instructed that they are the principal teacher of the faith for their children. Children absorb through the words and actions of the family the values that are important in our Catholic faith.

CHILDRENare invited into the life-long process of formation so that they may grow spiritually. They are responsible with the assistance of the family for regular and timely attendance, pre-reading of the weekly lesson, attention during class and positive behavior.

CATECHISTSare those who share faith with the children through a formal grade level curriculum. Our catechists are selected carefully, are STAND certified and provided with opportunities for Adult Formation.INCLEMENT WEATHER On the occasion that weather requires a shovel or ice skates, the first concern is safety. Therefore read the following carefully.

1. If your road is unsafe, plan on staying home.

2. Cancellation announcements will be on WBAL(1090AM) or WDAC(945FM).

3. If it is a regularly scheduled school day and Harford County schools are closed or close early due to weather conditions, we are closed.

4. Be sure that we have a current e-mail address as we will also send you an e-mail about the closing.

5. Please take time to cover the lesson for the missed class with your child.

SACRAMENTAL LIFEEucharist is the source and summit of our lives as Catholics. Your child’s regular Mass attendance depends on you! As stated in the Curriculum Guidelines for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. A family does not have a choice about whether to share faith-

it’s only choice is whether it will share the faith well or poorly.Children will be prepared for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist during Grade 2 in a free standing program, separate from the Tuesday or Wednesday classes or GIFT. Older children are also prepared in a free-standing program. Children per Archdiocesan Guidelines must have attended Faith Formation or Catholic School the year prior preparing for and celebrating the sacraments.

PRAYERS AND CATHOLIC BELIEFS

Pre-school and Kindergarten

Sign of the Cross, Glory Be to the Father

Introduction to the faith through bible stories and positive actions

Grade 1

Sign of the Cross, The Lord’s Prayer, The Hail Mary

Beginning at the beginning with the foundation stones of Catholic Identity

Grade 2

The Prayer of Sorrow, Mass Prayers

Emphasis on the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and Eucharist

Grade 3

Hail Mary and Review of Mass Prayers

Emphasis on how we are all Church together

Grade 4

Act of Contrition

Emphasis on Old Testament Scripture

Grade 5

The Apostle’s Creed

Emphasis on New Testament Scripture

Grade 6

Review of All Prayers

Emphasis on the themes of Catholic Social Teaching

Grade 7-8

Nicene Creed

Emphasis on how to put faith into action!

G.I.F.T.: GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER

GIFT is a family based faith formation program. Parents work with their children in grade level materials connected by a family manual. Families in this program gather once a month to share what they have learned with one another and share hospitality on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 10:30am in the Youth Room.

FAMILY LIFE EDUCATIONThis is a program mandated by the Archdiocese as part of their Child and Youth Protection initiative. Each year a parent seminar is offered to explore family values and those set forth by the Church to prepare parents for this most important task. A family and child resource book is provided to assist families in the process of moral formation and safety awareness.

Special Events ListTrunk and Treat-Saturday, October 24th 6:00PM-8:00PM

Advent Fair and Pancake Breakfast-Sunday, November 22nd

Jesus’ Birthday Bash-Sunday, December 6th (times to follow)

Lenten Fair and Pancake Breakfast-Sunday, February 7th

May Procession-Sunday, May 1st at the 11:15AM Mass

CATECHIST LIST: TUESDAY 5:30-6:30PM

K-4 Jessica Kujawa

K-5 Jessica Kujawa 717-456-9160

Grade 1 Dina DePriest 443-324-5125

Grade 2 Louise Lawrence Colianni 443-643-1352

Grade 3 Mary McGraw 410-692-5511

Grade 4 Christi Krause 443-610-5757

Grade 5 Diane Eakes 410-451-0307

Grade 6 Megan Schott

Grade 7-8 Hank McGraw 410-692-5511 Pam Sersen 717-456-6534

CATECHIST LIST: WEDNESDAY 5:30-6:30PM

K-4 Jamie Warne

K-5 Jamie Warne 717-456-5153

Grade 1 Tracey Gay 410-452-0373

Grade 2 Kathy Ayers 410-322-2689

Grade 3 Tory Channell 717-456-5049

Grade 4 Cara Warne 717-456-9409

Grade 5 Scott Friedman

Grade 6 Megan Newlon 443-416-2999

Grade 7-8 Lee Surkin 717-818-3975

CALENDAR 2015-2016SEPTEMBER:

OPENING MASS AND PICNIC-SEPTEMBER 15-16 5:30PM

GIFT-9/20 10:30AM

CFF- 9/22-23, 9/29-30-- 5:30-6:30PMHSFF-WORTHY OF THE CALL 9/22 6:45-8:15PM (YOUTH ROOM)

DRUG AWARENESS NIGHT 9/29 6:45-8:15PM (YOUTH ROOM)

OCTOBER:

CFF-10/6-7, 10/13-14, 10/20-21, 10/27-28

GIFT-10/18 10:30AM

HSFF-10/13, 10/20, 10/27- JESUS, HIS MESSAGE AND MISSION

TRUNK AND TREAT-Saturday, October 24th 6:00-8:00PM Dress up and join in the fun.

FIRST RECONCILIATION PARENT MEETING-10/19 7:00PM

FIRST RECONCILIATION PREPARATION-10/26, 11/2, 11/9, 11/16 6:00-7:30PM

*All Tuesday and Wednesday CFF classes are 5:30PM-6:30PM.

**All High School classes are 6:45-8:15PM unless otherwise noted.

NOVEMBER:

CFF-11/3-4, 11/10-11, 11/17-18

GIFT-11/15 10:30AM

1st Reconciliation Prep-11/2, 11/9, 11/16 6:00-7:30PM

1st Reconciliation Retreat-11/21 9:00AM-Noon

HSFF- 11/10, 11/17, 11/24 Introduction to Theology of the Body-Created to Love

ADVENT FAIR-11/22 after all Sunday Masses--Pancake Breakfast, Crafts and a Special Guest

FIRST RECONCILIATION CELEBRATION-11/30 6:30PM

DECEMBER:

CFF-12/1-2, December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception all students are encouraged to join us for the Live Nativity, Mass and Tree Lighting at 6:00.

Jesus’ Birthday Bash-12/6 Details to follow

JANUARY

CFF-1/5-6, 1/12-13, 1/19-20, 1/26-27

GIFT-1/17 10:30AM

HSFF-1/12, 1/19, 1/26-Theology of the Body-Hope, Truth, Forgiveness and Body Language

FIRST EUCHARIST PARENT MEETING: 1/25 7:00PM

FEBRUARY

CFF-2/2-3, 2/9-10, 2/16-17, 2/23-24

HSFF-2/9, 2/16, 2/23-Theology of the Body-Free, Total, Faithful and Fruitful, Marriage and Religious Vocation

GIFT-2/21 10:30AM

FIRST EUCHARIST PREPARATION 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 2/29, 3/7 6:00-7:30PM

MARDI GRAS FAIR AND PANCAKE BREAKFAST SUNDAY, 2/7 AFTER ALL MASSES

Grade 9 DAY OF REFLECTION-SATURDAY, 2/13 10:00AM-5:00PM

Snow date 2/20

MARCH

1st Eucharist Preparation 3/2, 9, 16, 23 6:00-7:30PM

CFF-3/1-2, 3/8-9, 3/15-16, 3/29-30

GIFT-3/13 10:30AM

FIRST EUCHARIST RETREAT 3/12 9:00-NOON

HSFF-3/8, 3/15, 3/29-Theolgy of the Body-Finding your Vocation, Dating with Purpose and Purity, Living the Good and Free Life

APRIL

CFF-4/5-6 10:30AM

MAY

May Procession-5/1 during 11:15am Mass