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 4th and 5th 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 6th, 7th, and 8th 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.
Leah Grinnell (480) 998-3843
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.
Leah Grinnell (480) 998-3843
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
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
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
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
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, X 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, X 103
ADULT FORMATION
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 Joe de Groot by email at degroot1@qwest.net
MOMS (Ministry of Mothers Sharing)
MOMS 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, MOMS is now in 3,000 parishes throughout America, including many in the Diocese of Phoenix. The MOMS 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 mothers need to face while building a model of support and hospitality in community. Tricia Hoyt co-wrote the manual for MOMS with Sr. Paula. MOMS 101 is the foundation of our ministry.
Twice a year a structured MOMS 101 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 MOMS groups are formed from the bonds made during this experience.
MOMS Embrace sessions are held regularly at St. Patrick's on interesting 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.
Ministry of Mothers Sharing reaches out to our own mothers and mothers in the local community to offer support in many ways. Our Outreach coordinators and other generous MOMS make donations to those in need with supplies, service, and financial assistance. We share compassion, time, and companionship where it may be hard to find.
- MOMS 101
- MOMS Embrace
- MOMS Outreach
For more information on MOMS, or on our unique programs:
Call Jennifer Keenen at (480) 998-3843 or email moms.stpats@gmail.com to connect with us!
MOMS Spring 2010 Programs 
Spring 2010 Registration
Landings
Landings offers a small group environment for those who wish to return to the church after an absence. We provide a soft landing and a welcoming, sharing community.
Maggie Seliga (480) 998-3843 Ext. 102
Men of the parish meet and read next Sunday’s Gospel, and discuss its meaning, giving group and individual insights along with their understanding of the reading. Additional outreach opportunities include: feeding the homeless men at St. Vincent de Paul’s in Phoenix, prison ministry and visiting hospitals and nursing homes.
Meetings are on Mondays from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Jim Feichtinger (480) 998-3843
Enliven and activate your Catholic Faith during a once-in-a-lifetime retreat. The Cursillo Movement helps people discover and fulfill their personal vocation by "Christianizing" their environments at home, work, and in the world.
Retreat Weekends are from 6:00 p.m. Thursday through Sunday Optional diocesan-wide Ultreya held at 7:00 p.m., the 3rd Wednesday of each month at Claret Cursillo Center, 54th Street, north of Camelback
- Jim and Nikki Feichtinger (480) 998-3843
Real life is a faith enrichment program for adults. The following is a list of sessions offered:
- "Living the Sunday Readings" with Fr. Eric Tellez
- "The Bible; Plain and Simple" with Kevin Saunders
- "Beyond the Sunday Mass" A variety of expert speakers discuss current themes.
- Adult Confirmation - Individualized process follows a discussion with Fr. Eric Tellez
Parish Office (480) 998-3843
Women of the parish meet to share and discuss the word of the Lord from individual lessons chosen to study on their own time. The group also meets monthly for lunch to bond as a group, sharing prayer, laughter and love.
Time commitment: 2 hours each week
Tuesdays 9:15 - 11:15 a.m.
Barbara Warren (480) 998-3843