Happy Summer!
I hope you all are settling into a nice and fun summer schedule despite the crazy weather. Before we get too far into our relaxed summer routine and vacations, I wanted to touch base on our Family Faith Formation Program.
As you know 2022-2023 was our first year of the Family Based Model and as I mentioned throughout the year, it is a work in progress as it continues to build upon the teachings, experiences, and feedback of the prior year. As we prepare for the 2023-2024 year, we are looking to add your feedback and suggestions as we plan for the new year. The Family Based Model is recognized as critical to building and sustaining the faith of our children and is in place throughout our Diocese and through leading Dioceses across the country. While we understand everyone has busy lives and multiple engagements, we also know that parents are the primary and first teachers of our children’s faith practices.
For the upcoming school year, we will continue to offer the first Saturday night of the month option as well as considering adding a Tuesday afternoon immediately after school in the church hall beginning at 3:30, with the requirement that a parent stays and participates with their children.
Further, we are hoping to get volunteers to replace virtual story time in the third week of the month with small grade level in person sessions scheduled at the availability of the adult volunteer and church hall. In addition, we are excited to offer parent-focused sessions upstairs during the first meetings of the month (Saturday and Tuesday). We recognize that ministering to each of you as parents and helping to build your faith and home-based practices is key to continuing to equip you as leaders of your faith within your family. We are hopeful to introduce these new critical components to the program and we look forward to your prayerful discernment in your involvement as parent volunteers in the grade level sessions the third week of the month. This role is similar to the role of Catechist where you will be given the required tools and materials. Initial thoughts are to have grade groupings of K-1, 2-4, 5-6, if we have the volunteers available. This is truly a wonderful opportunity to be with your children and their friends as they build and learn about their faith.
I would also love feedback and suggestions so we can continue to grow this program together and make it a truly special and educational opportunity for the families of our parish.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Melissa Jordan
Did you realize . . . One of the greatest traditions we have within the Catholic faith is having a Mass said for a loved one whether they are living or deceased. By doing this, we are offering Christ himself for the intention we indicate. Considering that the Mass is the highest form of communal prayer, offering a Mass up for a loved one is a beautiful expression of faith. Masses can also be said as an expression of gratitude, to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday or as we are reminded by the Council of Trent: "for the living and the dead, for sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities."
