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Saint Ann’s Catholic Parish |
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105 S. Snead St. Ashland, Virginia 23005 (804) 798-5039 |
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September 2009
Dear Parent(s):
We welcome you and the children and youth of our parish to the Christian Formation Program for 2009-2010. With your support and the many volunteers who minister to our children and youth, the story of Jesus Christ and His Church is once again being handed on to another generation. I particularly want to thank those who are working directly with our young people in all the activities and programs of this ministry -- the teachers, catechists, hall monitors, nursery workers, reception coordinators -- all those who help to spread the good news of the Gospel. You may also want to thank them yourself, since they are actually assisting you. As parents you have the primary responsibility of nurturing the treasured gift of Faith that you shared with your children in Baptism. Since the most defining action we perform as Catholic Christians is celebrating the Eucharist together, your faithful example of participating in the Mass each weekend provides your children with a unique Faith experience by sharing the values and the life-forming traditions of our community. Parents can make the Gospel message come alive more powerfully than any program. May the Spirit guide us all as we continue to proclaim the Lord!
Sincerely,
(Rev.) Christian J. Haydinger PastorMISSION STATEMENT: MINISTRY OF CHRISTIAN FORMATIONSt. Ann's Ministry of Christian Formation is committed to sharing our Catholic Faith with others, proclaiming the word of God, and celebrating the good news of salvation. Since our Faith is most powerfully expressed in our celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy, the center of all catechetical efforts, we strive to express our beliefs in programs and activities, for all age groups, as opportunities to experience a deeper, more loving personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Christian Formation Programs and Policies
St. Ann’s Staff Pastor - Fr. Chris Haydinger Minister of Christian Formation & Pastoral Associate - Marty Moran Minister of Liturgy and Music - Valerie Hostetler Campus Minister - Jane Nucup Coordinator of CF for Children (K - 6) - vacant Coordinator of CF for Youth (7-11) - Lise Mikkelson
Catechists Kindergarten: Sarah Datovech, Becky Santelli, Ann Marie Blakeney, Cathy Ivie First: Karen Letteri, Jane Nucup, Debby Turner, Jason Himes Second: Kris Beshads, Jackie Kelly, Suzanne Grasberger, Debbie McNamara Third: Joanne Allen, Suzanne Fleming, Marcella Reczek Fourth: Janice Pagnini, Doris Favale, Cathy Henly, Dave DePuy Fifth: Julie Hendricks, Michelle Bellinger, Denise Katz, Stephanie Emerson Sixth: Tom Grasberger, Sarah Uy, Steve Turner, Neil Wenzel Seventh: Maria Davis and Eighth: Jim Hartigan and Kevin Damian Ninth: Neil Wenzel, Elizabeth Jacobson Tenth: Mike Mikkelson and Lisa Mikkelson Eleventh: Russ Wisler and Steve Turner
Youth Group Volunteer Coordinators Patricia Hawn - p.hawn@att.net Maria Davis Classes Grades K - 6 Two sessions, Sundays: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM and Wednesdays: 5:45 PM to 6:45 PM Grades 7 - 11 Sundays: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Attendance Please make every effort to be at scheduled Christian Formation Classes and Activities. Regular attendance is required so that the children will be in a consistent atmosphere for learning. All classes and activities count towards the total number of hours for your child’s Christian Formation. It is understandable that there will be absentees due to illness and travel. Please notify the teacher in advance when possible if your child will be absent. It is a Diocesan requirement that regular attendance occur the year prior to and during a sacramental preparation program.
Conduct Expectations of Behavior The following are the minimal behavior expectations in the classrooms: 1. Pay attention 2. Listen to who is talking 3. Speak when it is your turn 4. Keep hands to yourself 5. Show your love for God and Others 6. Do your best Inappropriate Behavior For an effective learning experience, good order and conduct are expected during the sessions. To assist the volunteer catechists, the following policy and procedure has been adopted: Verbal Warning: The child is warned verbally by the catechist that his or her behavior is inappropriate. Removal from Session: If the behavior continues, the child is removed from the session and must speak with the coordinator. Child may return to the next scheduled session. The parent is advised of the removal from the session. Consultation with the pastor may occur. *Children who consistently cause a breakdown in the learning environment will either be removed from class or the child’s parents will be required to attend classes with him/her. Drop-off and Pick-up Children and Youth are to arrive no earlier than five minutes before class. Please see that your child is picked up in a timely manner. Grades K through 6 For the safety of all, children must be signed in and out of their classroom by their parent. Please do not leave your child in a classroom until a Catechist is present! For safety reasons, no child will be allowed to leave the building without an adult escort. Siblings Sixteen years of age may pick-up and drop-off their younger siblings, please provide written notice to your child’s Catechist if this will occur. If your child is carpooling with an adult other than yourself, please indicate this in writing and give to your child's catechist at the beginning of the program. Grades 7 through 11 All youth must be signed in and out by their parents or themselves if they are 16 years of age or older. If a youth will be driving a sibling or friend to and from Christian Formation classes without a parent, he/she will need a parent to write a note for the catechists and coordinator to have on file. Textbooks Students in Grades K-6 will be issued textbooks. It is very important that they bring these to class each week, as they will be used during the lesson. The replacement cost for texts is $18.00. Students in grades K – 6th grade will have a class folder. It is very important that they bring these to class each week. The folder will be used for putting correspondences and paperwork from class to home. Please check your child/ren’s folder each week after class. Students in 7th and 8th grade will be issued a textbook. It is very important that they bring this book to class each week. Replacement for this text is $18.00. Students in High School with use the Horizon program from St. Mary’s Press. Inclement Weather Policy In the event of inclement weather, and the need to cancel Christian Formation Classes, the MRE and Christian Formation Coordinators will leave a message on the church's voice mail as well as post it on NBC 12's "Community Closing Website". To access Channel 12's website; go to www.nbc12.com and click on News, clink on Closings and Delays, click on Community Closings.CurriculumThe curriculum for all levels includes classroom, worship, service and home experiences. All are considered essential components of the Christian Formation program.
Classroom Experience: Sessions are held throughout the year utilizing a curriculum.
Worship The most important thing we do as Catholic Christians is celebrate Eucharist together each week. By their regular participation, children are instructed in the ways of the faithful community.
Outreach Experiences Students and families are asked to participate in church sponsored outreach programs throughout the year. (Pennies for Haiti, Outreach Dinners, Christmas Gift Tree for our community’s needy, etc.)
Outreach Experiences for Youth This component will consist of several "Outreach" experiences coordinated through the Christian Formation office.
Home Experiences Parents are expected to participate in weekly Mass with their children. Family reflection on classroom instruction and the Mass is a great tool for enhancing your child(ren)’s Christian Formation. They are also encouraged and expected to pray with their children at home. Family members are encouraged to learn prayers commonly used in our Catholic tradition.
Retreats Students will participate in planned retreats throughout the year.
Preparing for First Reconciliation and First EucharistThe diocese requires a two-year preparation for the celebration of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Saint Ann’s follows the diocesan recommendation that First Reconciliation and First Eucharist take place in the second grade. Preparation for First Reconciliation must be completed before the student may enter the preparation program for First Eucharist. During both years of preparation, the student must regularly attend religious education classes and events. Only 3 absences will be allowed. When absent students should complete the Student textbook pages for the date missed found on the grade level syllabus and return it to the Children’s Christian Formation Coordinator. During these years of preparation and celebration, the student should: Be a member of the parish Attend CF classes and events regularly Attend all the required parent/student sessions with a parent, Give a copy of their baptismal certificate to the CF office (including name and complete address of the church where the baptism took place), Attend Mass regularly throughout the year, Attend the reconciliation celebration, and Attend the Mass of celebration of First Eucharist.
Students older than second grade, who have not celebrated First Reconciliation and/or First Eucharist, follow the same guidelines.
A required parent meeting for First Reconciliation will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. A required parent-student First Reconciliation retreat will take place on November 1, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A required parent meeting for First Eucharist will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2009. A required parent-student First Eucharist retreat will take place on April 18, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Preparing for the Celebration of Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be celebrated in eleventh grade. The diocese requires a two-year preparation program and retreat for the celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation. During both years of preparation, the student must regularly attend Christian Formation classes and events. Only 3 absences will be allowed. During these years of preparation and celebration the student should:
1. Be a member of the parish, Give a copy of his/her baptismal certificate to the CF office (including name and complete address of the church where the baptism took place), 3. Attend the Christian Formation classes and events regularly, 4. Attend mass where the Confirmation rites are scheduled – October 5, 2008. 5. Choose a sponsor from a parish who will participate in selected classes and events with the confirmand, 6. Attend the retreat, 7. Choose a Confirmation name (if desired), 8. Attend mass regularly all year, 9. Attend a Confirmation practice (if scheduled) and 10. Attend the Confirmation Celebration.
Parents are asked to attend the 2 parent meetings that are scheduled throughout the year.
Parent Volunteers All parents are expected to volunteer. It is through everyone’s effort that our program can be successful and the workload can be carried by many! With all parents participating, volunteering should be a once a month commitment. Participating in ministry reiterates the importance of our faith to our children. Children learn what they see and hear. Let us set good examples. All volunteers must meet the Diocesan Safe Environment Regulations for volunteers.
Volunteer Opportunities Grades K – 6th - Hall Monitor (1 per class session) Monitor the facility and classrooms to ensure the safety of the children and compliance with Safe Environment regulations. Nursery Workers (2 per class session) Care for volunteers’ children during class time. Substitute Catechists Fill in, as a Catechist on an as needed basis. Door Monitors (2 per class session) Monitor the doors coming into the Parish Center to ensure the safety of the children and compliance with Safe Environment regulations. Bathroom Monitors (1 per class session) Monitor the bathrooms in the Parish Center Lobby to ensure the safety of the children and compliance with Safe Environment regulations. Hospitality Team (15 adults needed) Assist with the details of and staff Sacramental Receptions, Retreats, and other Activities as needed. Special Activities Team (15 adults needed) Assist with the details and staff Special Activities planned throughout the year as needed. Lead Catechists (One per class) Prepare and present lessons to assigned grade level with help of assigned Catechist. Catechists (One per class) Work with Lead Catechist in preparing and presenting lessons to assigned grade level. Grades 7th – 11th During the Christian Formation Youth’s Program, parents can volunteer as Catechists, Substitute Catechists, Bathroom and Hall monitors, Special Activities Team Members and Youth Group Volunteers.
Communication In order for our Christian Formation program to run smoothly everyone is asked to maintain open communication between their child’s catechists and Christian Formation Coordinator. Issues cannot be properly addressed unless they are brought forward through the proper channels. |
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Christian Formation Parents Handbook |