St. Mary's Church at P.O. Box 609, Massena, NY 13662 US - Children's Christian Formation - 2004
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Children's Christian Formation - 2004
Author: Anne Borsellino DRE |
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St. Mary's Christian Formation classes kindergarten-grade 6 meet Sundays from 9:15-10:15 AM. (according to the public school calendar). Classes are held in the second floor classrooms of St. Mary's social hall. All children are welcome to join anytime throughout the year. Our classes are inclusive to those with learning/physical disabilities.
Our Sacramental program for Reconciliation and Eucharist is family oriented. Parents/guardians prepare their child with assistance from the teachers. Candidates are registered and attending the second grade Faith formation program on Sundays or attending Trinity Catholic School are registered for the program by their parent/guardians in September. Family gatherings are held twice a year (October and February) with parent/guardians, the coordinator of the program and the pastor to receive information regarding these sacraments and materials necessary to help the candidate prepare for receiving Reconciliation in late January and Eucharist in early May.
Children who are older than second grade who need to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and/or Eucharist attend a special class especially to gain knowledge of these sacraments. This is held on a week night for one hour. Class size varies according to the needs of the students. The candidate also attends class with his/her age level on Sunday.
Teens and young adults (grades 7-9) who are interested in becoming Catholic or have been baptized and want to receive the sacraments, meet as a group. Day and time coincide with the group's needs. (RCIA)
RCIA (Christian Rite of Initiation for Adults)
The RCIA program is a program for people who want to be bapitzed as Catholics or those individual baptized as infants but needing to receive the sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation. Since this program is bsed on the needs of the individuals attending, and initial contact with the RCIA coordinator, Michele Bonbard, is essential.
We have a monthly Family Mass at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass. Children of all ages are encouraged to participate by singing in the choir, reading, or carrying up the Offertory gifts. There is a special Family Mass at Christmas and Easter also.
At all 10:30 AM Sunday Masses September through June all children have an opportunity to share in a special "Breaking Open the Word" just for them. The Children are dismissed after the opening prayers and return to join their families at the Offertory time. If you think you may like this ministry, join us ANY Sunday downstairs with the children and see yourself what its' all about!!!
Faith Formation 7 and Faith Formation 8- 11:30AM-1:00PM on Sundays at the St. Mary's Social Hall beginning Sept. 19th.
Faith Formation 9
6:30-8:00 PM on Sunday evenings for their faith formation class at St. Mary's social hall.
Youth Masses are offered once a month at the 5:15PM Sunday Mass at St. Joseph's Church on Bayley Road. These Masses are geared especially for the Catholic youth of the Massena area and students are encouraged to participate by singing in a choir, read aloud the readings, be a greeter or usher. etc.
Service projects are monthly activities that allow the youth to use their time and talents to help in the parish community following in the example given by Jesus. Some include: Corn Fest (Louisville); SOS Walk (Stamp Out Starvation); Trick-or-Treat for St. Vincent de Paul; Thanksgiving Community meal; St. Vincent de Paul angel tree; visiting homebound; visiting nursing home residents; Confirmation receptions; Strawberry Festival (Louisville); Vacation Bible School; Breaking Open the Word; altar server, etc. All students attending Faith Formation classes ar encouraged to prticipate in these activities.