St. Robert of Newminster Parish at 6477 Ada Drive, Ada, MI 49301 US

Faith Formation
for Children and Youth

FORMATION OF CHILDREN & YOUTH

Early Childhood

Faith Formation for Grades 1-4

Faith Formation for Grades 5-8

Finding God Website

High School Catechesis

Home Formation

Special Needs Religious Education

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Christmas Pageant

Vacation Bible School

Youth Ministry

For additional information on faith formation programs, contact

Faith Formation Office faithformation@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 14

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The Early Childhood Program provides the opportunity for children ages 3 to kindergarten to develop an awareness of God’s presence and love in their lives, their families, their community, and the world around them. Sessions are offered on Sundays during the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses.

For more information on the early childhood program, contact

Teri Burns, Director of Faith Formation tburns@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 15

Karen Ottenweller, Early Childhood Coordinator kottenweller@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 14

Early Childhood 2012-2013 Schedule

Sundays during the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses

September 30

October 7, 14, 21, 28

November 4, 11, 18

December 2, 9, 16

January 6, 13, 20, 27

February 3, 10, 24

March 3, 10, 17, 24

FAITH FORMATION FOR GRADES 1-4

Faith Formation sessions for students in grades 1-4 utilize Loyola Press’s Finding God curriculum. Students engage in activities to learn about their Catholic faith through experiences of Prayer, Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Liturgy. Second graders also use God’s Gifts for preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.

For more information on elementary faith formation, contact

Teri Burns, Director of Faith Formation tburns@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 15

Jolana Peard, Elementary Coordinator (Gr 1-4) jpeard@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 23

Grades 1-4 2012-2013 Schedule

Month	Monday 4:45-6pm or 6:45-8pm	Tuesday 4:45-6pm	Wednesday 4:45-6pm or 6:45-8pm
September	Sept 24	Sept 25	Sept 26
October	Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29	Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30	Oct 3, 10, 17, 24 (no class on Halloween, 10/31)
November	Nov 5, 12, 19, 26	Nov 6, 13, 20, 27	Nov 7, 14, 28 (no class on 11/21)
December	Dec 3, 10, 17	Dec 4, 11, 18	Dec 5, 12, 19
January	Jan 7, 14, 21, 28	Jan 8, 15, 22,29	Jan 9, 16, 23, 30
February	Feb 4, 11, 25 (no class on 2/18 – mid-winter break)	Feb 5, 12, 26 (no class on 2/18 – mid-winter break)	Feb 6, 20, 27 (no class on Ash Wednesday, 2/13)
March	Mar 4, 11, 18, 25	Mar 5, 12, 19, 26	Mar 6, 13, 20, 27

FAITH FORMATION FOR GRADES 5-8

Faith Formation sessions for students in grades 5-8 utilize Loyola Press’s Finding God curriculum. Students engage in activities to learn about their Catholic faith through experiences of Prayer, Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching, and Liturgy. Eighth graders also use Confirmed in the Spirit as they prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Along with the curriculum, these students may also engage in field trips and service projects.

For more information on middle school faith formation, contact

Teri Burns, Director of Faith Formation tburns@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 15

Kris Maurer, Youth Coordinator (Gr 5-12) kmaurer@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 24

Grades 1-8 2012-2013 Schedule

Month	Sunday 7-8:15pm	Monday 4:45-6pm or 6:45-8pm	Wednesday 4:45-6pm or 6:45-8pm
September	Sept 23, 30	Sept 24	Sept 26
October	Oct 7, 14, 21, 28	Oct 1, 8, 15, 22, 29	Oct 3, 10, 17, 24 (no class on Halloween, 10/31)
November	Nov 4, 11, 18, 25	Nov 5, 12, 19, 26	Nov 7, 14, 28 (no class on 11/21)
December	Dec 2, 9, 16	Dec 3, 10, 17	Dec 5, 12, 19
January	Jan 6, 13, 20, 27	Jan 7, 14, 21, 28	Jan 9, 16, 23, 30
February	Feb 3 Superbowl Sunday – 4:30-5:30 Feb 10, 24 – regular time (no class on 2/17 – mid-winter break)	Feb 4, 11, 25 (no class on 2/18 – mid-winter break)	Feb 6, 20, 27 (no class on Ash Wednesday, 2/13)
March	Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31	Mar 4, 11, 18, 25	Mar 6, 13, 20, 27

FINDING GOD WEBSITE

The Finding God curriculum through Loyola Press offers children and parents additional resources online at www.FindingGod.com. Online resources include interactive sessions reviews and lesson study guides for children, and at-home lesson guides, “Living My Faith” activities, and “Raising Faith-Filled Kids” articles for parents.

HIGH SCHOOL CATECHESIS

This is a Faith Formation class – the study of the Catholic faith in an academic setting. This course is designed to be another learning opportunity for the high school youth in addition to the various activities offered by St Roberts Youth Ministry.

Student Texts: The Catholic Handbook for Youth, The Catholic Youth Bible.

4 Year Cycle of Focus:

1. The Creed

2. Liturgy & Sacraments – the focus for 2012-2013

3. Christian Prayer

4. Christian Morality

Location: Parish Life Center Classroom

Time: Sundays 7-8:15 p.m.

HS 2012-2013 Schedule: October 7, 21, November 4, 18, December 2, 16, January 6, 20, February 10, 24, March 17

For more information on high school faith formation, contact

Teri Burns, Director of Faith Formation tburns@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 15

Kris Maurer, Youth Coordinator (Gr 5-12) kmaurer@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 24

PARENT-CHILD SESSIONS

In support of the important role that parents have in the faith formation of their children, we invite parents to participate with their children in a class session. The schedule for Parent-Child sessions is as follows:

Grade	Activity	Date(s)	Time(s)
First	I Spy	Oct 22, 23, 24	During class times
Second	First Communion Plate Painting	Feb 4, 5, 6	During class times
Third	Sock Wrap	Dec 3, 4, 5	During class times
Fourth	Jeopardy	Jan 14, 15, 16	During class times
Fifth	Mass Role Play	Jan 27, 28, 30	During class times
Sixth	Synagogue Tour	TBA	TBA
Seventh	Soups On Bowl Painting	Dec 9, 10, 12	During class times
Eight	Orthodox Church Tour	TBA	TBA

HOME FORMATION

A home formation option is available for families preferring to do faith formation at home rather than the weekly classes. Families receive curriculum resources and catechetical support.

SPECIAL NEEDS RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Every effort is made to fully include all students with identified special needs. The information parents provide on the registration form helps us to identify the special needs of each child. Personalized resources will be developed and provided to fit the needs of each child.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

All children in grades 1-4 are invited to participate in Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday Masses. Families sit together at Mass. At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Word, children are dismissed and are led by an adult facilitator to another location where they will hear and respond to the Sunday readings at their level. Afterward, they return to their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

During the Christmas Eve liturgy, December 24, 6:30 p.m. Rehearsals TBA

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

Catholic VBS is a fun-filled, Scripture-based program for children ages 4-grade 5. Youth in grades 6-12 and adults serve as volunteer leaders. Registration begins in the spring. VBS 2013 is scheduled for June 10-13.

YOUTH MINISTRY

This ministry supports and encourages our youth to develop a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ, family, and friends. It fosters involvement in church and community through prayer and worship, catechesis, service, and social activities. Activity pamphlets and schedules are mailed throughout the year. In addition, the 6 p.m. Sunday Mass invites youth in grades 6-12 to participate as altar servers, ushers, lectors, or choir members. Youth in grades 1-12 may participate as Eucharistic ministers.

For additional information on Youth Ministry programs, contact

Philip Dezern, Youth Ministry Coordinator pdezern@strobertchurch.org 616.676.9111 ext 30 or visit www.strobertyouth.org

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St. Robert of Newminster Parish at 6477 Ada Drive, Ada, MI 49301 US - Faith Formation for Children and Youth