FAITH FORMATION STAFF
Mrs. Claire Moule, Director
e-mail:
Mrs. Mary Linden, Office Manager
& Administrator for Levels 2 & 3
Mrs. Jeanette Yantz, Administrator
Kindergarten, Special Needs, & Levels 1, 4, 5
Mrs. Katie Lavin, Administrator
Levels 6, 7, RCIA for children & Hispanic Community Faith Formation
Faith Formation Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm
(631) 587- 4717
Fax – (631) 669-9175
e-mail:
Coordinators 2012– 2013
St. Joseph Faith Formation
Level 1Mrs. Jeanette Yantz
Level 2Mrs. Mary Linden
Level 3Mrs. Joyce McPherson
Level 4Mrs. Theresa Kaliner
Level 5Mrs. Anne Zakrewski
Level 6Mrs. Katie Lavin
Level 7 Mrs. Maureen Rigelhaupt
Special NeedsMrs. Kathy Knott
RCIAMrs. Marisa Katz
HYPERLINK "mailto:"
Youth MinistryMrs. Barbara McNulty (Youth Ministry Director)
St. Joseph Ms. Jean Cooper (Director, St. Joseph Youth Band)
Youth Band
Table of Contents
Grade Level Coordinators ------pg. 2
A Message for Parents ------pg. 4 – 5
Building Procedures------pg. 6
Faith Formation 2011-2012 calendar------pg. 7
Kindergarten------pg. 8
Level 1 ------pg.9
Level 2------pg. 10 - 11
Level 3 ------pg. 12
Level 4 ------pg. 13
Level 5 ------pg. 14
Level 6 ------pg. 15
Level 7 /Confirmation Preparation------pg. 16-17
Level 8/Confirmation 2012------pg. 18
Children with Special Needs------pg. 19
Christmas Pageant------pg. 19
Service Opportunities for Faith Formation Groups ------pg. 20
Youth Ministry------pg. 21
St. Joseph Youth Band------pg. 22
Information for Catechists & VIRTUS information------pg. 23
Dates for Catechists------pg. 24
Liturgy of the Word w/Children & RCIA for Adults & Children--pg. 25
Special Events ------pg. 26
Textbooks and prices ------pg. 27
Snow cancellation for groups meeting in the center ------pg. 27
Glossary------pg. 28
Volunteer’s Code of Conduct------pg. 29
A Message for Parents
As the first and most important teachers of your children your input is essential in order to form your children in the Roman Catholic Faith.
Weekly participation in Sunday Mass (or Saturday evening) is the most effective way to form children in the faith because they experience the ritual week after week and they encounter God in the Scripture readings and in the Eucharist. They also become familiar with the parish community.
A good way to help your children prepare for Sunday Mass is to read the Gospel and share what its message means for you. This family activity would help all members of your family to be more open to hearing God’s message at Mass.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY LITURGY: HOW DO WE DO IT?
Begin by focusing on the Gospel only. (If your children are older you can also read the other scripture passages.)
Invite one of your children to find the Gospel passage in the Bible. Use any translation. On Sundays we hear the New American Bible.
Or, access the reading online through the parish website HYPERLINK " Click on READINGS AND REFLECTIONS (on left side of home page). Scroll down to HYPERLINK " You will see a calendar. Click on the date of the coming Sunday and you will access all the readings exactly as they will be heard at mass.
Invite your children to listen carefully as you read the Gospel. Then suggest listening for a word or phrase that stands out. Slowly read the Gospel again.
What is God saying to you in these words? If you had to get up and give a homily on these readings what would you say?
PARENT MEETINGS AND SPECIAL LITURGIES
We look forward to your presence at parent meetings and special liturgies. Please mark your calendar with the event dates listed in this booklet that pertain to your child’s grade level. Please call the Faith Formation Office if you are unable to attend a scheduled event.
ATTENDANCE
Weekly attendance is required in order for a child to successfully complete each grade level. Please phone the catechist when your child must miss the Faith Formation group and then, to the best of your ability, make up the missed chapter with your child. Children are expected to attend each scheduled session.
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES
Each child is to be escorted by a parent, guardian, or designated adult to the door of the catechist’s home or to the door of the catechist’s meeting room in the Center. At dismissal time the child will be released by the catechist (home or meeting room) only to the parent, guardian or designated adult.
“INFORMATION FOR THE CATECHIST” FORM
Your child will be given an “Information for the Catechist” form at the first class. Please return the information form to the catechist at your child’s next Faith Formation group meeting.
CONTACT WITH CATECHISTS
We encourage you to be in communication with your child’s catechist. The catechist is available to share or clarify any concerns you might have. If your child is unable to attend a meeting, please notify the catechist prior to the meeting.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
After each meeting of your child’s Faith Formation group try to find time to read the chapter presented by the catechist that week and discuss its content with your child. Please read the “Note to Families” in the beginning of your child’s textbook. In addition, there is a “Family Feature” at the end of each chapter that helps families to work together in their faith formation and gives a review of each chapter. CHILDREN LEARN BEST WHEN PARENTS ARE INVOLVED.
QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS
Please feel free to call the Faith Formation Office if you have questions, suggestions, problems or concerns.
BUILDING PROCEDURES
For groups meeting at the Parish Center
For a variety of reasons, we have begun to require that all Faith Formation groups meet at the parish center. During the 2012-2013 year, all levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Faith Formation groups will be in the building in addition to children in level 7 whose catechists have chosen to meet at St. Joseph.
Arrival and Dismissal –
Every child must be accompanied to and from the classroom by an adult.
Stairways are marked “up” and “down”; please use the proper stairways to help alleviate congestion.
We ask that the children be in the rooms five minutes prior to the starting time so that the group can begin on time.
For the safety of the children, we ask that parents please park in a designated parking spot and walk the child to either the “staff entrance” which is in the rear of the building across from the thrift shop, or to the “nursery school” entrance with the ramp which is a North Carll Ave. entrance, and then to the classroom.
Do not leave your child in the classroom if the catechist is not present.
Hall Monitors – there are three hallways at the center that are used by Faith Formation. The ideal is to have parents volunteer to monitor each of these hallways when the children are in the building. Please call the Faith Formation office 587-4717 if you are willing to help with this effort. It involves occasionally escorting a young child to the rest room and back and sitting in the hallway to make certain that the children are safely in their rooms. It is a good opportunity to read the newspaper or a good book while your child is participating in a Faith Formation session.
Footwear – footwear with wheels is not permitted in the building.
Food – absolutely no food or drinks are permitted in the building during the catechetical sessions.
Toys, I-Pods, etc.– please leave all distractions at home. The children have only 45 minutes to one hour per week to focus on their formal religious education.
Books – parents are asked to buy a work book for each of their children; the books are sold in the Faith Formation office. Please send the work book with the child each week.
If your child will be absent – please call the catechist if your child will not be present so that the catechist isn’t waiting for your child to arrive before she/he begins the session.
ST. JOSEPH’S FAITH FORMATION
2012– 2013 CALENDAR
Week number Week beginning on Monday
1 September 17
2 September 24
3 October 1
4 October 8
NO SESSION ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 8 – Columbus Day
5 October 15
6 October 22
7 October 29
NO SESSION ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31 – Halloween
8 November 5
NO SESSION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6 – Election Day
9 November 12
NO SESSION ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12 – Veteran’s Day
10 November 19
11 November 20
NO SESSION ON WEDNESDAY, NOV. 21
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
12 November 26
NO SESSION ON TUESDAY, NOV. 27 – Confirmation Day
13 December 3
14 December 10
NO SESSIONS weeks of December 17, 24 & 31 – Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
15 January 7
16 January 14
17 January 21
NO SESSION ON MONDAY, JANUARY 21 – Martin Luther King
18 January 28
19 February 4
20 February 11
NO SESSIONS ON TUES. OR WED, Feb. 12 & 13 – Mardi Gras/Ash Wed.
NO SESSIONS week of February 18 – Presidents Day/Winter Recess
21 February 25
22 March 4
23 March 11
24 March 18 (last week of sessions)
Please note: attendance at the Instructional Masses, Reconciliation Services and grade level events are mandatory. The Diocese of Rockville Centre requires that we have a minimum of 25 class sessions and these events count as part of the minimum number of times the faith formation groups need to meet in order to fulfill this requirement.
KINDERGARTEN
Children may be registered for one or both of the sessions listed below. The focus of the Kindergarten program is to help the children quiet themselves, and then guide them to use their imagination in order to experience the presence of our loving God.
We offer a five session program at St. Joseph in the fall for children who are now in kindergarten.
Dates: November 5, 19, 26, & December 3 & 10
Time: 4:00-4:45pm
Place: Room 259 in the parish center
Cost: $25
Parents are asked to stay for the 45 minutes.
The children will be listening to stories, praying, singing, and they will enjoy a tour of the Church. For Thanksgiving week, we will offer some insights about gratitude to God, and together we’ll delight in the Christmas story in December.
To register: call the Faith Formation office 587-4717 before October 22.
We are only taking 25 children.
We offer a 5 session program at St. Joseph in the spring for children who are now in kindergarten.
Dates: February 11, 25 & March 4, 11 & 18
Time: 4:00 until 4:45 pm
Place: Room 259 in the parish center
Cost: $25
Parents are asked to stay for the 45 minutes.
The children will be listening to stories, singing, praying, and they will enjoy
a tour of the Church. Together we’ll delight in the Easter story at the final session.
To register: call the Faith Formation office 587-4717 as soon as possible, but no later than January 28. The group will be limited to 25 children.
LEVEL 1
Christ Our Life, God is Good is designed to provide a simple overview of the mysteries of our faith. Through learning of the goodness of God, and the love of Jesus, the children respond to God in friendship and prayer.
All Level One families will be required to attend five Sunday Masses @ 9:30am in the Msgr. Nolan Hall. Please see the dates listed below.
LEVEL 1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
God is our Good Father – children will realize the great love God has for them and they will desire to pray to God.
God sent His Son as Our Savior – they will learn the story of the Fall and the story of God’s fulfillment of the promise of a Savior.
Jesus, the Good Shepherd – children will be inspired to go to Jesus for forgiveness.
Jesus shows His great love – children will learn about the Paschal Mystery and how to live as loving, active members of the Church.
Level 1 children are expected to come to the first group session knowing the Sign of the Cross and
The Lord’s Prayer.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 1
2012 - 2013
ParentOverview of Level 1 - Role of parents - Room 257
Meeting Monday, October 1 @ 10:00-11:00am or 7:00-8:00pm
Beginning CelebrationSunday, October 21 @ 9:30am Mass in the Msgr. Nolan Hall
Followed by hospitality in the gym.
Sunday Masses @ 9:30amOctober 21, December 2, 2012
in the Msgr. Nolan HallJanuary 13, February 3 & March 10, 2013
Advent Wreath BlessingDecember 2 at the 9:30am Mass
Instructional MassMonday, January 28, from 6-7pm in the Church
Forgiveness CelebrationThursday, February 7 @ 4pm in the Church
LEVEL 2
Christ Our Life, God Cares for Us is designed to prepare the children for their first celebration of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist.
LEVEL 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
God gives us life and love – children learn to appreciate that everything and everyone is a gift from God.
Jesus calls us to give ourselves in love – the children will learn to follow Jesus’ laws of love.
Jesus gives us the gift of peace – children learn about the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Jesus gives us the gift of himself – children learn about the parts of the Mass.
The Church celebrates God’s care – children learn to appreciate the roles of the different members of the Church, the body of Christ.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 2
2012-2013
Parent Meeting:Thursday, September 27 in room 257
10:00 until 11:00am or 7:00 until 8:00pm.
Parent/Child MeetingThursday, November 29 at 4pm or 5:30pm in the Hall.
First ReconciliationYour child will be assigned to one of the following
Servicesdates and times: Saturday, December 1 at 11:00am
or 1:00pm or Saturday, December 15 at 11:00am
or 1:00pm. Parent and child are asked to please
arrive at the Church 15 minutes prior to their assigned time.
Parent MeetingThursday, January 17 @ either 10am or 7pm in Room 257.
Mandatory MassesLevel 2 parents and children are required to attend any
Saturday evening or Sunday Mass on the following
Weekends: October 13 & 14, November 17 & 18,
December 15 & 16, January 5 & 6, February 9 & 10,
and March 2 & 3. Sunday, May 5 @ 9:30am Mass only.
Instructional MassMonday, January 28, from 6-7pm in the Church
Parent MeetingMon, March 18 in room 257 at 10-11am or 7- 8pm.
First EucharistSaturdays, April 13, 20, 27 & May 4 @ 11:30am & 1:30pm
Celebrations All First Eucharist Celebrations & Rehearsals take place
in the Church.
Your child will be assigned a date and time.
The rehearsals take place the Wednesdays prior to your assigned Mass and will be at 4pm for those at the 11:30am Mass
and at 5pm for those at the 1:30pm Mass.
“Going Forth To MakeSunday, May 5 @ 9:30am Mass with hospitality in the gym
The World a Better Place” after Mass. Most children wear their First Communion
Outfits, but it’s not required.
LEVEL 3
Christ Our Life, We Believe,the children come to an appreciation of the mysteries of their faith as expressed in the Apostles Creed.
LEVEL 3 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
God calls us to faith – the children will realize they are called to be one of God’s holy people. They will desire to live like Jesus.
God is great and good – the children learn some of the characteristics of God and will respond to God with love and respect and will desire to be with God.
God’s plan is one of love – the children will learn about Jesus’ parables and miracles.
Jesus brings us the kingdom of God – children learn about Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection. They will appreciate being members of the Church community and try to be good.
Jesus is with us on the way – children will celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist with greater understanding.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 3
2012 - 2013
Presentation of the Gifts at Mass - Level 3 encourages active participation in Sunday Eucharistic celebrations. Each class is required to sign up to bring up the gifts at one Mass during the year. If a child is unable to attend Mass with their class, they need to sign up for another Mass to fulfill this requirement.
Level 3 catechists will contact their coordinator in order to choose a weekend Mass at which their students will participate in The Presentation of the Gifts.
Catechists will tell the parents which Mass they are to attend. Ushers will be informed that a Level 3 group will carry the bread and wine in procession at designated Masses.
Advent CelebrationCome to any Mass the weekend of December 22-23 to
receive Advent plaque and blessing.
Instructional MassMonday, February 4, 2013 from 6-7pm in the Church.
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to allow time to sign in.
ReconciliationSaturday, March 2 @ 11am & 1pm
Saturday, March 9 @ 11am & 1pm
Parents will receive a letter with your child’s assigned date and time. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to sign in.
LEVEL 4
Christ Our Life, God Guides Us,focuses on the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes as guides for living. The children should grow in understanding and appreciation of God’s call to eternal life and his ever-present and loving guidance.
LEVEL 4 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
We come to know God – children learn that God is revealed in creation, Sacred Scripture, the Church and in Jesus.
God strengthens us to be holy – children learn about their obligation as Christians to live like Jesus by loving God and others.
We love God – the children learn how to show love for God, as outlined in the first three commandments.
We love Gods people – the children learn how the last seven commandments guide us to love our neighbors and ourselves. They will develop a reverence for life and of all the earth.
Jesus leads us to happiness – the children will learn that Jesus gave us the Beatitudes as a guide to happiness both in this life and in the life to come.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 4
2012 - 2013
Instructional MassMonday, February 4, 2013 from 6-7pm in the Church
Please arrive 10 minutes prior to sign in.
ReconciliationSaturday, March 2 @ 11am & 1pm
Saturday, March 9 @ 11am & 1pm
Parents will receive a letter with your child’s assigned date and time. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to sign in.
Lenten AssignmentsStudents will bring completed Lenten Assignments to any
Mass the weekend of March 9 & 10, 2013.
Rice Bowls: will be distributed in the classrooms the week of February 4
Return Rice Bowl Donations: at all Masses on the weekend of March 16 & 17, 2013
LEVEL 5
Christ Our Life, We Worship focuses on the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the center of Christian life. The children will grow in their appreciation of the Church as a worshiping community, and of Christ’s action among us in the Eucharistic liturgy and in the sacraments.
LEVEL 5 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
We celebrate the Eucharist – the children will become more familiar with the Mass and learn what it means to actively participate in the Mass.
We celebrate Gods healing love – the children will learn on a deeper level the meaning of Gods reconciling love through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
We follow special ways to holiness – the children will become aware that God calls all Christians to holiness through special ways of life. The children learn to grow in respect for themselves and others.