Ministry: Christian Formation

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: GRADES P, K – 5TH

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd focuses on age appropriate scripture study, Catholic Liturgy, and doctrine through educational enrichment and principles of Maria Montessori and the biblical scholarship of Sophia Cavalletti.

• Ages 4 years through Grade 3

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Children's Liturgy of The Word occurs during Sunday Mass when trained catechists guide children to experience the Word of God through the weekly readings and the importance of being part of the parish community through prayer and worship.

• Preschool through Grade 5

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Creates the liturgical environment using seasonal themes and colors. Materials are provided. Creativity is needed.

• Set up takes 2 hours on Thursday or Fridays.
• An environment team of 4 adults would mean a once a month time commitment.

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Team leaders help children discover the wonder in God’s Word. Planning and leading duties rotate.

Serves four age groups:

• Preschool (4 years)
• Kindergarten and Grade 1
• Grades 2 and 3
• Grades 4 and 5.

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

This at-home study is created to aid parents in the religious education of their children.

• Packets contain books, prayers, work sheets, and suggestions for use in faith sharing at home. All materials are geared to each child’s grade level.
• Resource packets are distributed in the fall and spring.

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Adult members assist with the assembly of the resource packets 3 times a year. The packets are assembled the week before they are due to be put out for pick up. Generally the assembly team works 2-3 hours per assembly session.

Diane Gilles (480) 998-2256

This adult team assists families in picking up their home study packets after the Masses on Sunday. This ministry opportunity provides a great way to get to know other families of the parish.

• Commitment is for two Masses 5 times a year.
• Schedule is available at the office

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Stepping Stones provides 4^th and 5^th graders monthly opportunities to meet as a group and participate in age-appropriate activities, directed in the style of Junior Youth Ministry. These activities include prayer, theme presentation, small group discussion, creative and artistic expression, physical activity and outreach/service projects. [more…]

• Available only to children in grades 4 and 5

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Scheduled for 1 week in each June and July, this experience is for children preschool through grade 5.

• Students in middle and high school serve as crew leaders
• Adults lead the Bible Stations

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

This Christian Formation resource person is responsible for the upkeep of library shelves based on book topics.

• Must be organized and able to work independently.
• Can work own schedule and time.
• Time commitment of 2 hours per week.

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

The Edge (Grades 6, 7, 8)

The Edge is a Catholic Middle School Ministry for 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade, designed to meet educational, spiritual, emotional as well as social needs of young adolescents. (more)

• This program follows the Scottsdale School calendar, August through May
• Meeting time is Monday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Mary Claire Hillebrand (480) 998-3843, ext 204
http://www.stpatrickscottsdale.org/theedge/

The EDGE Core Team Members are the heart and soul of the middle school youth ministry experience. In teams of two or three, EDGE core members lead small group discussions and activities. Session plans are distributed to core members a week in advance for review and preparation. Members remain within the same group throughout the year. They have opportunities to volunteer in leading, opening and closing prayers, performing skits or giving witness/catechetical talks to large groups.

Training provided includes team building. A weekly commitment to Sunday liturgy (Mass) is required plus a commitment to serving as a Christian role model with a desire to minister to middle school youth through the love of Christ.

Mary Claire Hillebrand (480) 998-3843, ext 204

Life Teen (Grades 9-12)

The Life Teen program is for high school teens in the parish and provides a strong focus on the Eucharist. Weekly activities include retreats and service projects such as assistance to the homeless at St. Vincent de Paul. Teens meet every Sunday evening at the TEEN LITURGY MASS at 5:00 P.M.

Scott Bagshaw (480) 998-3843, ext 206

LIFE TEEN CORE TEAM MEMBERS consist of young adults and adults who love working with teens, guiding and mentoring them in their search for Jesus. Time commitment is flexible and is approximately five hours per week, dependent on individual schedules.

Scott Bagshaw (480) 998-3843, ext 206

INITIATION MINISTRIES

Rite of Christian Initiation – Adult

The process of becoming a Catholic Christian is called the Rite of Christian Initiation. Adults wishing to become Catholic, including those who have not been baptized and those baptized in another Christian faith are invited to journey with our community to the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. [more…]

Maggie Seliga (480) 998-3843, X 102

This process is for families wishing to have their children, ages 7 to 17, receive the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Parents and children are welcomed into the church and prepared for the sacraments by attending weekly sessions. Parents serve as sponsors for their children and participate in a variety of activities.

Maggie Seliga (480) 998-3843, X 102

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Rite of Christian Initiation – Sponsor

A sponsor is a member of the parish community who, functioning as a trusted companion, accompanies adults wishing to become members of our Catholic faith on their journey. A sponsor prays with and for the candidate, listens attentively, and acts as a mentor.

Sponsorship affords many opportunities for spiritual growth. The sponsor participates in all aspects of the Christian Initiation journey. Sponsors often report extraordinary experiences where prayer and moving faith stories have been shared. Sponsors typically find their involvement in the initiation process to be a life giving, life changing experience.

• Sponsors must commit to weekly Sunday morning sessions during the Initiation process, a weekend retreat, a day of prayer and several social gatherings

Maggie Seliga (480) 998-3843, X 102

Individuals with a deep and active faith: a love of people: a listening ear and on the journey of faith are encouraged to serve on either the adult or family teams. There are various roles on the team: hospitality, inquiry, sponsor training, session facilitator, and retreat team. Service in this ministry is a faithful response to the Baptismal call to share in the mission of the church.

• Training is provided
• Commitment to weekly sessions is required

Maggie Seliga (480) 998-3843, X 102

SACRAMENT PREPARATION

Baptism

The parish community helps parents prepare for the Baptism of infants or young children by helping parents to understand their role in their child’s spiritual life and growth, and by supporting them in undertaking this task.

• Please call the parish office to begin the preparation for the sacrament
• Included in the preparation will be some sessions that include learning more about our Catholic faith and an explanation of the symbols of baptism
• An interview is required with a baptismal preparation couple if first child or new to the parish family

Maggie Seliga(480) 998-3843, X 102

Children who were baptized as infants may prepare to begin celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation when they reach grade 2.

• Children must have prior religious education
• Children must be enrolled in Christian Formation

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Adults who assist in planning and implementing First Reconciliation Family Prayer Time, Day of Reflection and sacrament celebrations.

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Children who were baptized as infants may prepare for their First Eucharist when they reach grade 3.

• Children must have prior religious education
• Children must be enrolled in Christian Formation

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Teams of adults who help to plan and organize First Eucharist prayers, banner kits, Retreat Days and Communion Breakfast

Gerri Porteous (480) 998-2256

Maggie Seliga (480) 998-3843, X 102

Engaged couples enter into the marriage preparation process as outlined in our "Marriage Preparation Guide", which can be found in the Narthex of our Church. This process includes the FOCCUS Instrument and meeting with a Mentor Couple using the workbook "ForBetter and ForEver". The Marriage Preparation Ministry helps in as many ways as possible to provide support for a successful marriage relationship.

• A couple needs to contact the priest to set their date at least 6 months before they desire to celebrate this sacrament.
• Contact Fr. Eric at the parish to set your wedding date.

Gerry Blakeman (480) 998-3843, Voicemail 103

This ministry of preparing couples for marriage is supported by Mentor Couples who meet with the engaged couple and work through "ForBetter and ForEver" and the FOCCUS Instrument. This mentor couple is a sign of Christian Marriage and a connection to the larger Parish Community.

• Couples desiring to serve in this way should be married at least 15 years and want to share their life with others.

Gerry Blakeman (480) 998-3843, Voicemail 103

ADULT FORMATION

Men’s Prayer Breakfast

Men of the parish meet five times per year on Saturday mornings between September and April for the purpose of fellowship with other Catholic Men. Each prayer breakfast begins with Mass at 8:30AM. After Mass the men move to Fenlon Hospitality Center for breakfast and a guest speaker. The breakfast usually ends at 10:30AM. The Men’s Prayer Breakfast is an incredible way to get to know other men from the parish, attend Liturgy and hear an inspirational speaker.

Contact Kevin McGloin by email at kevin@stpatricksscottsdale.org
For more information visit the Men’s Prayer Breakfast page by clicking here HERE

Small Church Communities

Small Church Communities is a faith-nourishing way of "being church" and offers the opportunity to gather in small groups to reflect on scripture and the invitation to a truly living relationship with Jesus. Group sharing allows participants to unfold the ways in which God has worked through and among them as they bear fruit in the community and share encouragement along the journey.

Contact Dena Walker by email at jwalker104@cox.net

JOURNEY (Ministry for Women)

Spring 2013 Registration Form HERE

Founder Sr. Paula Hagen, OSB, is a Benedictine nun from St. Paul’s Monastery in St. Paul, Minn. Started at St. Timothy Parish in Mesa in the 1980s, the ministry is now in 3,000 parishes throughout America, including many in the Diocese of Phoenix. The 8 week program is based on the U.S. bishops’ document “Called and Gifted,” and emphasizes the characteristics and grace of Christ-centered relationships. Sr. Paula was able to create a ministry based on spirituality and situations women face while building a model of support and hospitality in community. This the foundation of our ministry.

Twice a year this structured 8-week program is offered for women to form a peer group with other mothers to explore personal and spiritual growth within a small faith community. Smaller groups are formed from the bonds made during this experience.

Embrace sessions are held regularly at St. Patrick’s on spiritual and inspirational topics. Embrace invites women and mothers in our parish and local community to hear speakers, read scripture and other faith-based literature, pray, journal, and share experiences in faith. It’s a wonderful way to make space in our lives for the Lord to help us grow and celebrate the fruits of spirituality.

Journey reaches out to our own women and others in the local community to offer support in many ways. Our outreach coordinators and other generous women and their families make donations to those in need with supplies, service, and financial assistance. We share compassion, time, and companionship where otherwise it may be hard to find.

• Companions


• Embrace


• Outreach

For more information on Journey, or on our unique programs:

Call Diane Hannan at (480) 998-3843 or email
journey.stpats@gmail.com to connect with us!

Copyright © 2013 St. Patrick Catholic Community.