Religious Education (Children)
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Religious Education Full CALENDAR 2012-2013
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 May 5, 2013:
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – GRADES 1-8
“BE AN ARTIST FOR THE YEAR OF FAITH” – Did you submit your application for this special event? Do you or your child like to draw, paint, sculpt – bake, sew or take pictures? Participate in our “Year of Faith” Art Display on the weekend of Pentecost Sunday – May 18/19. Registration forms are located on the table in the hall and should be filled out and returned to the Rectory. Open to all children, teens, adults, seniors - possible faith themes include:
Sacraments….Church….Pentecost….Jesus….Eucharist….Gospels….The Mass….The Bible Ascension….Trinity……Hope….Saints….Creation….Resurrection….God…….or choose your own!
Thank you – parents – for your excellent cooperation throughout the year – our formal Religious Ed sessions may be over, but for you and your child, there is so much opportunity to learn and nourish your faith! Just look around the next time you are at Mass! And, most importantly, please follow through and do attend Mass each week – listen, watch, pray, sing and experience community! This is your faith journey – don’t miss out on any part of it!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN WHO ARE RECEIVING FIRST EUCHARIST TODAY
AT THE 10:00AM MASS – CONTRATULATIONS!!!!
Jenna Brinck Ellanora Cabrera Christopher Fett Sarah Hattan
Luke Minong Brianna Post Chloe Schadegg Kaitlynn Snyder
Robert Snyder Ava Veldran
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN WHO ARE RECEIVING FIRST EUCHARIST TODAY
AT THE 10:00AM MASS – CONTRATULATIONS!!!!
Jenna Brinck Ellanora Cabrera Christopher Fett Sarah Hattan
Luke Minong Brianna Post Chloe Schadegg Kaitlynn Snyder
Robert Snyder Ava Veldran
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – GRADES 1-8
Thank you – parents – for your excellent cooperation throughout the year – our formal Religious Ed sessions may be over, but for you and your child, there is so much opportunity to learn and nourish your faith! Just look around the next time you are at Mass! And, most importantly, please follow through and do attend Mass each week – listen, watch, pray, sing and experience community! This is your faith journey – don’t miss out on any part of it!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING CHILDREN WHO ARE RECEIVING FIRST EUCHARIST TODAY
AT THE 10:00AM MASS – CONTRATULATIONS!!!!
Jenna Brinck Ellanora Cabrera Christopher Fett Sarah Hattan
Luke Minong Brianna Post Chloe Schadegg Kaitlynn Snyder
Robert Snyder Ava Veldran
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Week of April 28, 2013:
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION – GRADES 1-8
Thank you – parents – for your excellent cooperation throughout the year – our formal Religious Ed sessions may be over, but for you and your child, there is so much opportunity to learn and nourish your faith! Just look around the next time you are at Mass! And, most importantly, please follow through and do attend Mass each week – listen, watch, pray, sing and experience community! This is your faith journey – don’t miss out on any part of it!
FIRST COMMUNION REHEARSAL – Friday, May 3rd – 4:30pm – for all First Communion children. You must attend this rehearsal – there is only one! Parents are encouraged to stay also.
FIRST COMMUNIONS – for all 10 of our children will be celebrated on Sunday, May 5th at the 10:00am Mass. Please continue to pray for them!
A special Thank you to all of our Catechists for the wonderful work they continue to do for your children each year!
They are a treasure!
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Location Key:
C- Church SMS – Sussex Middle School
CH – Church Hall R – Rectory MR – meeting Room
