Religious Education (Children)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Religious Education Full CALENDAR 2011-2012
Be a Sign of Hope; Nurturing our Children
In Matthew Kelly’s book “Mustard Seeds” he writes a small entry about youthfulness. He says,
“What the Church needs is youth. Youthfulness is not about being young; it is about allowing courage to rule over fear; it’s about enthusiasm. When the enthusiasm fades then pessimism begins to set in and people become old. As Christians our hope sustains our enthusiasm and our youth.”
Youthfulness – at any age – what a wonderful thought. When we remain focused and enthusiastic about life we have already planted the seeds – and the very nourishment for youthfulness to grow is a hopeful attitude.
As parents, grandparents and godparents, aunts and uncles, guardians and teachers, we strive to plant the seeds of enthusiasm in children. When they can live life with an attitude of gratitude and desire happiness, children learn more and more about themselves and the world. They come to understand and accept the good and also the difficult times that permeate their young lives. And as Christian children, they learn to accept that everything has a time and place, and that life can also be fragile and hard at times.
But their learning begins at a very young age and the world of a young child, as innocent as it may seem, can be challenged and void of hope. The seeds of enthusiasm for life can sometimes get washed away by difficult situations or unexpected pain.
As the first educators in the faith – not by virtue of our teaching credentials – but by virtue of our Baptism - we should believe that as parents, grandparents and godparents, aunts and uncles, guardians and teachers, it is our responsibility to provide the nourishment for youthfulness to flourish in the children that we know and love.
There is no better time than now to begin to act in a definitive way and say “yes, I not only want to remain youthful, but I also want to be a sign of hope for the children and people in my life. I want them to understand that there is much hope and strength in knowing the life of Jesus Christ and nourishing my relationship with Him, and that I enthusiastically and intentionally continue to grow that relationship every day.”
For our children, it is never too early to begin. I invite you to visit the Religious Formation registration table after Mass and begin today – children need all the help – and hope – we can offer them. Registrations are offered for children in Kindergarten through grade 8 and in our Youth Ministry/Confirmation levels. If you do not have any children or if your children are now grown, consider this – you are still a sign of hope to our youth – don’t be a sign of pessimism but one of enthusiasm! Your help is welcomed too. Thank you!
Carol Bezak
Pastoral Associate
Coordinator of Religious Formation
“What the Church needs is youth. Youthfulness is not about being young; it is about allowing courage to rule over fear; it’s about enthusiasm. When the enthusiasm fades then pessimism begins to set in and people become old. As Christians our hope sustains our enthusiasm and our youth.”
Youthfulness – at any age – what a wonderful thought. When we remain focused and enthusiastic about life we have already planted the seeds – and the very nourishment for youthfulness to grow is a hopeful attitude.
As parents, grandparents and godparents, aunts and uncles, guardians and teachers, we strive to plant the seeds of enthusiasm in children. When they can live life with an attitude of gratitude and desire happiness, children learn more and more about themselves and the world. They come to understand and accept the good and also the difficult times that permeate their young lives. And as Christian children, they learn to accept that everything has a time and place, and that life can also be fragile and hard at times.
But their learning begins at a very young age and the world of a young child, as innocent as it may seem, can be challenged and void of hope. The seeds of enthusiasm for life can sometimes get washed away by difficult situations or unexpected pain.
As the first educators in the faith – not by virtue of our teaching credentials – but by virtue of our Baptism - we should believe that as parents, grandparents and godparents, aunts and uncles, guardians and teachers, it is our responsibility to provide the nourishment for youthfulness to flourish in the children that we know and love.
There is no better time than now to begin to act in a definitive way and say “yes, I not only want to remain youthful, but I also want to be a sign of hope for the children and people in my life. I want them to understand that there is much hope and strength in knowing the life of Jesus Christ and nourishing my relationship with Him, and that I enthusiastically and intentionally continue to grow that relationship every day.”
For our children, it is never too early to begin. I invite you to visit the Religious Formation registration table after Mass and begin today – children need all the help – and hope – we can offer them. Registrations are offered for children in Kindergarten through grade 8 and in our Youth Ministry/Confirmation levels. If you do not have any children or if your children are now grown, consider this – you are still a sign of hope to our youth – don’t be a sign of pessimism but one of enthusiasm! Your help is welcomed too. Thank you!
Carol Bezak
Pastoral Associate
Coordinator of Religious Formation
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Week of February 5, 2012:
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – GRADES 1-8
“By learning, you will teach. By teaching, you will learn.” ----Latin Proverb
CATECHIST MEETING – Monday, February 6th – 7:00pm in the Rectory Meeting Room – please RSVP by today.
Program Session #12 – Saturday, February 18th – Grades 1-8, Sussex Middle School
2ND GRADE PARENTS – will attend a Lenten Workshop, 9:30 – 11:00am at the school – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
CATECHIST MEETING – Monday, February 6th – 7:00pm in the Rectory Meeting Room – please RSVP by today.
Program Session #12 – Saturday, February 18th – Grades 1-8, Sussex Middle School
2ND GRADE PARENTS – will attend a Lenten Workshop, 9:30 – 11:00am at the school – MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Program Session #13 – Saturday, March 3rd – Grades 1,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 – 9:00-11:30am, Sussex Middle School.
IMPORTANT REMINDER - 2nd Graders will attend the Reconciliation Workshop from 9:00-11:30am in the Church Hall.
PARENTS of Second Graders have received a letter and evaluation form regarding your child’s progress and some very important dates and information – if you haven’t already done so, please call the Rectory to schedule your meeting time during the weeks of February 6th and 13th.
CANCELLATIONS - due to weather or power-related issues - All catechists have been instructed to give you a call if class is cancelled early enough – especially if it is cancelled the day before (Friday) in preparation of a storm – also, please listen to 102.3WSUS radio or visit their website for announcements of cancellations.
E-MAIL CONTACT INFO – PLEASE RETURN ALL E-MAIL INFO FLYERS - A flyer was sent home with your child regarding this. I am requesting your e-mail contact information so that we can communicate in a timely manner – and so that each catechist will also have your contact information. If you forgot it at the last program session, please mail it to the Rectory – if you would like your name included on this list, please return your form as soon as possible – thanks. A test e-mail will be sent out soon!
KIDS KORNER – There is a weekly page (when space allows) in our bulletin called the Kids Korner – this is a fun, educational way for your children to understand and explore the Sunday Scriptures and is a great family activity each week. Why not start to set aside some time on Sunday to complete this page and engage your children in an open dialogue about Mass. You will be giving them a valuable gift!
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Week of January 29, 2012:
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – GRADES 1-8
Program Session #11 - Saturday, February 4th – All grades, Sussex Middle School, 9:00-11:30am.
----RESCHEDULED: First Grade Parent Session - Sacraments – 9:15am at the school. Please call to RSVP that you can attend.
----RESCHEDULED: First Grade Parent Session - Sacraments – 9:15am at the school. Please call to RSVP that you can attend.
IMPORTANT - FOR PARENTS OF FIRST AND SECOND GRADERS
----SECOND GRADERS ON THE ALTAR – 10:00AM Mass, Sunday, February 5th – Please be sure that your child attends this Mass.
----FIRST GRADERS IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR – 10:00AM Mass, Sunday, February 5th – Please have your child attend this Mass.
PARENTS of Second Graders have received a letter and evaluation form regarding your child’s progress and some very important dates and information – please call the Rectory to schedule your meeting time during the weeks of February 6th and 13th – thanks.
CATECHIST MEETING – Monday, February 6th – 7:00pm in the Rectory Meeting Room – please RSVP by this week.
CANCELLATIONS - due to weather or power-related issues - All catechists have been instructed to give you a call if class is cancelled early enough – especially if it is cancelled the day before (Friday) in preparation of a storm – also, please listen to 102.3WSUS radio or visit their website for announcements of cancellations.
E-MAIL CONTACT INFO – PLEASE RETURN ALL E-MAIL INFO FLYERS BY JANUARY - A flyer was sent home with your child regarding this. I am requesting your e-mail contact information so that we can communicate in a timely manner – and so that each catechist will also have your contact information. If you forgot it at the last program session, please mail it to the Rectory – if you would like your name included on this list, please return your form as soon as possible – thanks.
KIDS KORNER – There is a weekly page (when space allows) in our bulletin called the Kids Korner – this is a fun, educational way for your children to understand and explore the Sunday Scriptures and is a great family activity each week. Why not start to set aside some time on Sunday to complete this page and engage your children in an open dialogue about Mass. You will be giving them a valuable gift!
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Location Key:
C- Church SMS – Sussex Middle School
CH – Church Hall R – Rectory MR – meeting Room
Price: $0.00
