Children’s
Faith Formation
Welcome
to Children’s Faith Formation at Saint Peter the Apostle
Roman
Catholic Church. Contact Mrs. Anne Marie Mason for further
information concerning Children’s Faith Formation at
(301-898-5111
Ext. 17)
Our
Mission
Our
mission is to assist all children in finding God in their lives and
growing in the awareness of God’s great love for them through
Jesus; and to celebrate this truth with endless joy as a community of
believers. This is a life long journey!
We
Offer:
Programs
for Faith Formation
Sacramental Preparation
Vacation Bible
School
Rite of Christian Initiation Of Children
Catechist
Formation
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Sacramental
Preparation
Preparation
for the celebration of sacraments involves the family, community and
the parish or school systematic catechetical effort.
Parents
are required to enroll their children in faith formation sessions as
part of the on-going catechetical process. Children need to
be enrolled and attending an approved archdiocesan program one year
prior before beginning preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist
It is through a partnership with the local parish staff and family that children are prepared for the celebration of sacraments. Parent Orientation for 2008-2009 will be announced in the summer of 2008.
Eucharist
Preparation
for the sacrament of Eucharist is done most effectively in the home
with reinforcement in the parish community. Therefore, the local
parish community will provide the parents with information in order
to assist their children at home. Parent Preparation Sessions are
scheduled on Tuesday evenings in the winter.
All
children planning to celebrate the Sacrament of Eucharist will be
expected to join a day of reflection. The day consists of
understanding the sacrament, baking Prayer Bread, designing a banner,
learning about the Mass and studying a Scripture story. This day is
held in Spring.
Reconciliation
Immediate
catechesis for the sacrament of Reconciliation is separate from
catechesis for Eucharist. Parents and the parish community work in
partnership toward the formation of the child for the celebration of
this sacrament. Once a child has reached the age of discernment
(usually age 7) the child is invited into the preparation for the
sacrament. This is such so that the child may celebrate
Reconciliation prior to Eucharist. This is the norm of the church but
in cases where the child due to immaturity is not ready for
celebration of Reconciliation every effort will be made to continue
to foster the formation process. Parent Preparation Sessions are held
in the Fall on Tuesday evenings in order to assist them in preparing
their children for the celebration of Reconciliation.
All children planning to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation will be expected to participate in a day of reflection. The day focuses on the aspect of forgiveness in our lives. All crafts, songs, scripture study and games focus on forgiveness. We as Catholic Christians celebrate forgiveness and are welcomed back to the loving arms of the Father when we stray! This day is held in the Winter.
Vacation
Bible School
2008 brings
a new year to VBS at St. Peter's...details will be announced in the
Spring 2008...but mark your calendars now for June 23-27, 2008 for
VBS...we will kick-off with a Family Picnic at 6pm in the Pavilion on
June 23 and then the remainder of the week is dedicated to loads of fun
for kiddies Age 4 thru no age limit! Call Anne at the office
301-898-5111Ext. 17 (We welcome Carol Gorecki as our "Volunteer
Coordinator"...she is going to need you!)
Children's
Liturgy of the Word
Children
age 4 through Grade 5 are invited to "break open" the Word
during the 9:30am Mass. CLW runs September through Pentecost.
Rite
of Christian Initiation of Children
Non-baptized
children over the age of five, with parental approval, are welcomed
into the RCIC journey with initiation into the church at the Easter
Vigil. Children enter the journey through an exploration of the
Catholic faith in an age-appropriate program. Continued faith
formation is highly suggested following initiation into the
community.
Religious
Education
Faith
Formation of Children Preschool through Grade Five
Parents and families are the most effective catechists. The family provides the basic understanding of faith formation through their daily- lived experiences. It is only through a cooperative partnership that we as a parish community and parents can foster the formation of the child or youth on their faith journey. We, as a staff, are committed to support the families on this journey. Therefore, Saint Peter’s provides a variety of programs to meet the needs of families for their faith formation.
Classroom
Model
The
formation of children takes place in an informal classroom setting
with a catechist and assistant. Children experience their faith
through the use of texts, a variety of media experiences, crafts and
song. Formation in Catholic doctrine, tradition and scripture are all
major components of the program in a curriculum designed by the
Archdiocese of Baltimore, Division of Evangelization and Catechesis
and adapted to meet the needs of the community. Children experience
liturgy and a variety of prayer styles preparing them for a life long
journey of faith.
Home
Religious Education
This
program is designed for families interested in forming their own
children in the faith at home. Families received the same
text
as used in the classroom model. HRE is geared for families
with
children in grades 1 through 5. Families are invited to share
in "special gatherings" throughout the year to encourage a
sense of community.
Family
Life Program
Catechesis
for Human Sexuality is presented in the Benziger Family Life
Program. This program assists parents in raising their
children
in the area of morality. It answers the call of parents to provide
the skills and virtues of a Catholic Christian family lifestyle. The
Benziger Family Life program supports and complements the basic
religion themes in our regular faith formation program for
Kindergarten through Grade 5.
Catechist
Formation Programs
By
the nature of our Baptism, we as adult Catholics, are called to
spread the message of Jesus Christ, "go forth and make disciples
of all nations." As catechists our mission is to nurture the
children of the parish spiritually and socially. We must "take
diligent care faithfully to present the entire treasure of the
Christian message." (#38 GCD)
Formation of the catechist is highly recommended for any adult in the ministry of catechesis. Courses in spiritual formation, theological formation and methodology are offered through the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Division of Evangelization and Catechesis. Catechists are encouraged to attend any or all of the following: Religious Education Institute in Baltimore, East Coast Conference for Religious Educators or enroll in The Church Leadership Institute. Formation processes are offered through a variety of in-service opportunities at the local parish level and through Central Maryland Ministries throughout the year.
Catechist certification should be the goal of every catechist! Any adult Catholic in good standing, who has an earnest desire to share their faith with the children, will dedicate personal time to updating their own faith knowledge, and who has a genuine love of Jesus can join the ministry! For further information contact: Anne M. Mason at Saint Peter’s Religious Education Center (301-898-5111 ext. 17).
STAND
Program
In
order to
assure quality pastoral care for our children and teens, Saint
Peter’s requires all parish volunteers to comply with the
STAND
program initiated by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Those volunteers
who have “substantial contact”
with children or
teens must submit an Application for Volunteer Services, complete a
criminal background check, provide 3 references and attend a training
session prior to volunteering in the parish. Those volunteers who “do
not have substantial contact” need to
complete an
Application for Volunteer Services.
Teen volunteers have a separate program which explores their role in ministry as well as explores their role in providing a safe environment for themselves as volunteers and the area in which they volunteer. Dates for this session will found in the Sunday bulletin.
If you have been active in ministry for some time and have substantial contact with our children or teens, it may be time for your STAND RENEWAL! Check your STAND card or contact your personal ministry coordinator and ask for RENEWAL details today!
For STAND information contact: Church Office @ 301-898-5111
Information for Registration for the 2008-2009 Year
Register for Religious Education On-Line...
Printable Religious Ed Registration (mail/fax/drop off)
Other On-Line Resources
Blest Are We -- Silver Burdett Ginn Publishers
Kitchen Table Gospels -- Benziger Group
