Christian Formation Pre- to Grade 5
CHRISTIAN FORMATION & STEPPING STONES
Christian Formation is a religious education program which:
- Is designed in a "Home Study" format where family members can share the
- traditions, customs, and culture meaningful to the expression of their faith life
- Uses the most current resources for "Home Study" packets
- Focuses on the family unit for spiritual enrichment
- Sends children forth to hear the Word of God at each weekend Mass at Children's Liturgy of the
- Word
- Offers children in grades 4 and 5 a large group environment to prepare them for our Middle
- School Program
- Offers an enrichment program, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Atrium, for children
- Age 4 - Grade 3
- Prepares eligible elementary age children for Sacraments with parental involvement
- Offers a vacation Bible Scool Program with different themes two weeks each summer
- Provides Adult Formation opportunities throughout the year both daytime and evening sessions
- Packets are distributed to registered children Age 4 - Grade 5
- Families need to register their children every year
- Parents and children receive the most current resources available for enriching their own spiritual
- development
- Distribution of the first Family Study Packet takes place at Registration in August
- Supplemental resources are distributed at Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter, and Pentecost
- (in May) after all weekend Masses.
(CLOW) Children's Liturgy of the Word
- The "Proclaim" part of the Mass for elementary children Age 4 - Grade 5
- Trained Catechists share the Gospel message of the age level of the children
- Children are sent forth during Mass for about 25 minutes and return to their families after the
- Prayers of the Faithful
- Children hear, discuss, and pray about the Sunday readings and how to apply the lesson during
- the week
- CLOW is offered at every Mass every weekend
Stepping-Stones
- Members in Grades 4 & 5 meet separetly once a month on Fridays 6:00-9:00pm
- Members discuss the evening's theme in both small and large groups
- Members spend time in prayer, theme presentation, small group discussion, creative and artistic
- outreach projects, and physical activities
- Under the direction of a group leader, adult and teen small group leaders encourage 4th and 5th
- Graders to come to church and learn what it means to be followers of Jesus
- Service Projects are designed to serve the St. Patrick's Community
Cathechesis of the Good Shepherd
- Cathechesis of the Good Shepherd is an optional enrichment approah to the religious formation
- of children Age 4 - Grade 3 at St. Patrick's
- It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria
- Montessori
- Children gather in an "atrium," a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful
- materials that they use
- Sessions meet weekly for 1 1/2 hours with a commitment of 25 weeks each year
- St. Patrick's does not prepare children for sacraments in the Cathechesis of the Good Shepherd
- program
SACRAMENT PREPARATION INFORMATION
First Confession
The Diocese of Phoenix allows its parishes to begin preparation for First Confession (Penance, Reconciliation) with children in Grade 2. It is not mandatory that the children receive their First Confession in Grade 2. It is the decision of the parents to let us know if their child is ready to receive sacraments.
Recognizing Readiness
Children, according to their age and capacity, are to be considered ready to celebrate their First Confession when there is:
- an awareness that God loves them
- regular participation in Sunday Mass
- prayer as a part of the child's life and also experienced within their family
- a growing ability to distinguish between accidents and the right and wrong choices they make
- a capacity for sincere sorrow and the ability to change their actions
- the ability to express sorrow for sin and knowledge that the relationship with God and others
- can be broken through sin
- an understanding that the Sacrament of Penance and Reconconciliation is a special sign of God's
- forgiveness
Children must receive their First Confession before they can begin preparation for the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.
Confirmation/First Eucharist
The Diocese of Phoenix allows its parishes to begin preparation for Confirmation and First Eucharist with children in Grade 3 who have received the Sacrament of First Confession (Penance, Reconciliation). It is not mandatory that the children receive these sacraments in Grade 3. It is the decision of the parents to let us know if their child is ready to receive sacraments.
Children in the preparation process will receive both sacraments at the same Mass.
Responsibilities of Parents
Parents are the primary educators of their children. They are responsible for initiating their children into the Sacramental life, serving as models for their children by being committed Christians, worshiping regularly with their familes, and nurturing their child in the faith. They are required to attend Adult Formation meetings, participate in a prayer service and a retreat that are planned to help their child prepare for the Sacraments of Confirmation and Holy Eucharist.
Recognizing Readiness
Simple readiness for the reception of these Sacraments can be determined by the child having:
- Knowledge of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation
- Expressed a desire to receive Holy Eucharist
- Knowledge of who Jesus is
- The ability to distinguish between ordinary bread and Eucharist
Vacation Bible School
- Summer multigenerational program for children Age 4 - Grade 5
- Two seperately themed weeks in June and July meet Monday - Friday 9am-12pm
- Children enjoy time spent in Crafts, Drama, Music, Games, Snacks and an Outreach Project
- Registration begins the first weeknd in May
- Each session is limited to 100 children (80 elementary and 20 Pre-K and Kindergarten)
A yearly Registration Fee of $125 per child is due at the time of registration.
Yearly fees cover the costs of materials in the Family Study Packets,
Children's Liturgy of the Word, and Stepping Stones.
Additional fees applicable for Sacrament Preparation and Vacation Bible School.
Call Gerri Porteous, Coordinator of Elementary Christian Formation, at 480.998.2256
for more information on all of the above programs.