Christian Formation
Mission Statement
Our goal is to support the life-long process of Christian formation by providing opportunities for people of all ages, from preschoolers to seniors, to learn and grow in their faith and love of God, so that they may live it in their everyday lives.
Religious Education: Parents, even if you missed last week, you can still visit our faith formation classes this weekend – or any time!
Although family life is very hectic at this time of year, think ahead to Ash Wednesday (Feb. 22) and decide what you can do to make this Lent especially meaningful for your family. Contact Colleen or your child’s catechist for ideas.
Youth Group: Plan now to attend our annual snow tubing trip to Wintergreen, February 17,
5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Call early to sign up as tickets are only $15 and they are going fast!
Adults: Our adult faith formation team is hard at work. Watch for details about their progress!
February 9-14 is national Vocations Awareness Week. Check out the USCCB vocation website www.foryourvocation.org for prayers and information.
Answer to last week’s Catholic I.Q question: The Pope is the a) Presbyter b) Bishop c) Director d) Governor of Rome? As Bishop of Rome, the pope is the successor of St. Peter, the apostle Jesus selected to be the rock upon which the Church would be built (Mt. 16:18).
New question: According to Catholic tradition, the first celebration of the Mass took place a) When Jesus fed the 5,000, b) on the road to Emmaus, c) at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, d) When the resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee?
2012 March for Life - Washington, D.C.
Roman Missal - "What Is The Roman Missal"
Roman Missal - "And with Your Spirit"
Roman Missal - "The Introductory Rites"
Roman Missal - "Peace to People of Good Will"
Roman Missal - "The Liturgy of the Word"
Roman Missal - "The Liturgy of the Eucharist"
Roman Missal - "Lord, I am not Worthy..."
Roman Missal - "The Concluding Rites"
On Sunday mornings our kindergarten to twelfth grade Religious Education students meet from 9:10 to 10:15. The program runs from September to May. Second graders prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist, and Confirmation preparation will be available to appropriate students in grades 10-12. Twelfth grade students have the opportunity meet throughout the year to discuss topics of interest to them. We also have a Youth Group, for students in seventh through twelfth grade that meets on the third Sunday evening of the month. These programs run from September to May. During the summer there is a week long vacation bible school for children through eighth grade, with the opportunity for high school students to assist.
On the second Sunday of each month, the 10:30 Mass is a "Youth Focus Mass," with Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Our religious education students perform various liturgical roles, including altar servers, lectors, crucifers, Youth Choir Ministers, greeters, assistant directors of service, and even children’s liturgy assistants. All these programs seek to instill in our children and youth a love of God and neighbor, and to assist their parents in nourishing faith at home.
On Wednesday evenings, our RCIA/RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults/Rite of Christian Initiation of Children) groups meet. RCIA is for those interested in becoming Catholic or receiving the Sacraments of Initiation, and includes both adults and college students. RCIC is for children who have not yet received age-appropriate sacraments. These programs run from late summer to May, but the period of inquiry can begin at any time.
We have several opportunities for adult formation. There is a Wednesday afternoon Women's Bible Study group that meets in the Meeting Room from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. There is also a Lectio Divina Scripture group that meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Eucharistic Chapel of the Church. The Women’s Spirituality group meets on the first and third Mondays of the month in the parish house, participating in a variety of spiritual activities to deepen faith. Mother’s Fellowship meets monthly and includes opportunity for social time and faith sharing for mothers in the parish. There are periodic adult faith formation sessions following the 10:30 Mass, and several times throughout the year we have longer intergenerational events. These events bring parishioners of all ages together to learn and pray as a community, sharing the wisdom of the older generations and the energy of the younger ones.
St. Patrick Preschool meets weekday mornings throughout the school year. There are programs for 2 1/2, 3 and 4 year-olds. Children in pull-ups are welcome. We are now accepting applications for Fall 2011. Please check the preschool website for additional information and enrollment forms.
For information on any of these programs, contact Dr. Colleen Arnold, our Director of Faith Formation.