FAITH FORMATION K-8

We offer a traditional Classroom Model or a Family Model with both starting in September and ending in April.  Both models meet twice a month in person, and both have an at home/online option should the need arise. The Classroom Model is a standard class with youth grouped by grade level with a Catechist and Aide. In the Family Model, youth and parent/guardian meet twice a month in our Parish Hall for lessons and or service projects. All youth are asked to attend the 10AM monthly Mass with Children. We use materials from Loyola Press, Finding God, Our Response to God’s Gifts.  We also use The Catholic Children’s Bible from St Mary Press which offers online aps with multi learning facets for all youth. We highly recommend this Bible for all youth and use it in Faith Formation for K-5.

INSTRUCTION FOR THOSE YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

For youth with special needs who are preparing for the reception of the Sacraments of First Penance and Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion we offer the Adaptive Preparation Kits from Loyola Press. We have found them to be very easy and effective. We also use The Catholic Children’s Bible from St Mary Press which offers online aps with multi learning facets for all youth. We highly recommend this Bible for all youth and use it in Faith Formation for K-5. Teaching youth at home is an option as are group classes held at the church. When classes are held at the church, we use multisensory music and videos.

We started a program for youth with special needs 17 years ago in response to a request for religious education for the daughter of parishioners who suffered from multiple birth defects and physical limitations. Yvie was in the first class with five other youth who received the sacraments of First Penance/Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation, with Bishop John B. McCormack presiding. Some of the youth were wheelchair bound while others were in constant motion on the Autism spectrum. They ranged in age from six to sixteen. All the youth enjoyed coming to “church school” with a parent or health care worker.  Yvie went home to God at the age of ten in full communion with the church.

MASS WITH CHILDREN  

One Sunday a month, youth are invited up into the sanctuary to sit with Fr Bob, after his reading of the Gospel from the Lectionary for Children, to listen to a youth focused homily. Youth return to their seats at the conclusion of the homily, usually with a handout that helps reinforce the Gospel message.  Youth are invited to return to the sanctuary for the Consecration, staying for the Sign of Peace and then returning to their seats until Mass concludes.

R.C.I.A. ADAPTED FOR YOUTH

The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults adapted for children/youth.

This avenue to full initiation into the Catholic Church is for youth/children 7 years of age and up who fulfill the criteria below.

1. Youth who are unbaptized.
2. Youth baptized in another religion who are joining the Catholic Church.
3. Youth baptized in the Catholic Church who have not been brought up in the Catholic Faith.

Two classes each month take place either immediately before attending Mass or immediately after attending Mass on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, depending on teacher availability and space availability.

RESOURCES FOR HOME STUDY AND EVENT UPDATES

I am sure you feel caught in an avalanche of information, as do I, but please take a minute to read through each item carefully.

We are in the desert with Jesus this Lent and the devil is trying to tempt us with storing up loads of hysteria/Coke/toilet paper/hand sanitizer, etc… and we must say to him, “Get thee behind me satan” and use our heads trusting in God’s presence in all of this.

I don’t capitalize satan as I do not recognize it as a proper name because… as he is not proper!

While we are socially distanced let us be joined closely in our prayers for one another.

Amen! -Trish

CONFIRMATION

DATES FOR

CONFIRMATION/FIRST COMMUNION

Saturday, June 26,  2021 at 10AM

Saturday, August 14, 2021 at 10AM

Paperwork has been mailed to those presently preparing to celebrate the sacraments.

If you have questions, or need additional information, please contact Trish at 437-7026 or email twoodward@stjudenh.com.

 

CLASSES

Sunday morning and Sunday evening classes have received information (or will if the email works) on how to access the Sunday Gospel Weeklies for home use from the Pflaum web site via email.  The Family Program already have teacher guides.

Classes/instruction/faith sharing will continue but at home with parents using the materials used in the classrooms until further notice from Bishop Libasci. We see this as a great opportunity for all of our parents to truly be the primary teacher of the faith for their youth!

During the current health crisis, Pflaum is providing the digital versions of the Unit 4 student lessons (English and Spanish) to all Pflaum Gospel Weeklies customers.  You can go Pflaum Gospel Weeklies then look down to:  What is Pflaum Doing in Response to COVID-19 for directions. The St Jude Church account code is 1139518.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS ON FIRST CONFESSION/PENANCE/RECONCILATION/FIRST COMMUNION and CONFIRMATION FOR BOTH PARENTS AND YOUTH 

Below are resources for parents to us at home with youth. These videos are at most about 10 minutes long, very informative, helpful and fun!

Practice First Confession – YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvZSgRKnOkg

A video demonstrating a sample confession so children can practice for their First Confession, know what to expect, and not be afraid. Jan 17, 2018

Important Note: This was NOT a real confession and the sins were made up for the video. Author: St. Rose Religious Education Views: 22K. Please watch this video with your youth.

Sacraments 101: Eucharist (how we receive) By Busted Halo® –  LINK HERE  – 671,000+ views  · 9/26/2011

Sacraments 201 Eucharist what we believe YouTube 2 –  LINK HERE  – by Josetta Sebin

Ep 13 Confirmation Preview 2  –  LINK HERE  – A video for 3^rd through 6^th graders – By Brother Francis Online.com

Catholic Fruits Of The Spirit Song For Kids! 🍋🍓🍇🍊🍒  By CatholicIcing.org – LINK HERE – A Music video for 3^rd through 6^th graders

18 Inspiring Role Models for Young People  –  LINK HERE  –  By Catholic Saints For 4^th grade through 8^th

Confirmation | Catholic Central  – LINK HERE –  for 4^th and up (Catholic Central with Kai and Libby)

Unopened Gifts by Dynamic Catholic  – LINK HERE –  For 4^th grade through 8^th

Who is the Holy Spirit  by Dynamic  – LINK HERE –  Catholic For 4^th grade through 8^th

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit by Dynamic  – LINK HERE –  Catholic For 4^th through 8^th

Bishop Barron on The Holy Spirit By Bishop Robert Barron  – LINK HERE –  For Parents

C4: Ignite Your Catholic Faith – Why is Confirmation Important?  – LINK HERE – For Parents by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee

The Diocese has a Coronavirus update site at https:/www.catholicnh.org on its’ home page on the “Features” slide show.

Mrs. Patricia “Trish” Woodward
Faith Formation Director
Grades K-8
Phone: 437-7026
twoodward@stjudenh.com

Mrs. Kathy McKenney
Office Assistant
Phone: 437-7026
kmckenney@stjudenh.com

As the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Catholic faith it is the place at which we ask our families to begin. As important as continuing Faith Formation is to our spiritual growth we believe weekly Mass attendance is where we are nourished for our spiritual journey.

Worship • Community • Catholic Teaching • Mission

Check out our VBS 2019 Project Pleaides photos!

K-8 FAITH FORMATION OPPORTUNITIES

CLASSROOM STYLE INSTRUCTION

Sunday after the 8AM Mass from 9:10AM -11:00AM held twice a month for K-6^th grade.
Sunday evenings from 5-7:00PM held twice a month for 7^th and 8^th  grade with dinner served at 5:30PM.
Adult volunteer teachers and aides are always needed and always welcome!

FAMILY PROGRAM

Sunday Family Program 12:NOON-2:30PM held once a month with lunch served promptly at 1:10PM for K-6^th grade.

Saturday Family Program 4PM-6:30PM held once a month with dinner served promptly at 5:10PM for K-6^th grade.

SPECIAL NEEDS INSTRUCTION

Schedule to be determined by office and participating families
based on teacher & space availability.

R.C.I.A. ADAPTED FOR YOUTH

(ADAPTED FROM THE RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS)
Schedule to be determined by office and participating families
based on teacher & space availability
Adult volunteer teachers and aides are always needed.

C.L.O.W. CHILDRENS LITURGY OF THE WORD

C.L.O.W. is now offered 3 weekends a month, at all of the Masses, thanks to the faith filled, “generous with their time” volunteers who are assisting at each of the Masses.

MASS WITH CHILDREN

One Sunday a month youth are invited up into the sanctuary to sit with Fr Bob, after his reading of the Gospel from the Lectionary for Children, to listen to a youth focused homily. Youth return to their seats at the conclusion of the homily, usually with a “trinket” that helps reinforce the Gospel message and always with a C.L.O.W. leaflet containing activities for youth and the family to continue at home.  Youth are invited to return to the sanctuary for the Consecration, staying for the Sign of Peace and then return to their seats until Mass concludes.

FIRST PENANCE/RECONCILIATION

Beginning in September 2018 the Sacrament of First Penance/Reconciliation will be celebrated in the 2nd grade.

CONFIRMATION • FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

Beginning in September 2018 the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation will be celebrated in the 3rd grade.
https://www.catholicnh.org/parishes/formation/lifelong for changes regarding the Sacraments.

WEEKLY INSTRUCTION

We use Pflaum Gospel Weeklies in our weekly Faith Formation classes. Delivered as age appropriate handouts the material is based on the Sunday Lectionary. Youth review the Sunday readings working out through discussion, activities and service how they might live out the “Good News” of Jesus in their daily lives. Weekly instruction follows an academic classroom model starting in September and ending in April. With a teacher and an aide we try to keep classes limited to 12 youth. The program is not meant to replace Mass attendance but to supplement Mass attendance.

ONCE A MONTH FAMILY PROGRAM

We use Pflaum Gospel Weeklies for our monthly Faith Formation. Delivered as age aprropriate handouts the material is based on the Sunday Lectionary. Parent and youth are provided with the materials in 4 istallments through out the year. They work on the Sunday readings at home. The families meet once amonth in our Parish Hall or in the church where we review what has been done at home.The program is not meant to replace Mass attendance but to supplement Mass attendance.

SPECIAL NEEDS INSTRUCTION

For youth preparing for the reception of the sacraments of First Penance/Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion we use Adaptive Preparation Kits for the sacraments from Loyola Press. We also use The Catholic Children’s Bible from St Mary Press which offers online aps. Each year the makeup of the group changes depending on the abilities, disabilities and the ages of the youth. Teaching youth at home is a choice as are group classes held at the church. When classes are held at the church we use multisensory music, videos, hands on tools. Youth are accompanied by an adult or health aide.

We started the program fifteen years ago in response to a request for religious education for the daughter of parishioners who suffered from multiple birth defects and physical limitations. Yvie was in the first class with five other youth who received the sacraments of First Penance/Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation with Bishop John B. McCormack presiding. Yvie went home to God at the age of ten in full communion with the church. Some of the youth were wheel chair bound while others were in constant motion on the Autism spectrum. They ranged in age from six to sixteen.

R.C.I.A. ADAPTED FOR YOUTH

This avenue to full initiation into the Catholic Church is for youth/children 7 years of age and up who fulfill the criteria below.

1. Youth who are unbaptized.
2. Youth baptized in another religion who are joining the Catholic Church
3. For youth baptized in the Catholic Church who have not been brought up in the Catholic Church or attended Mass.

Two classes each month take place either immediately before attending Mass or immediately after attending Mass on a Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning, depending on teacher availability and space availability. Each month a third class takes place on Sunday afternoon with our Family Program. Parents and youth attend.

C.L.O.W. DURING THE WEEKEND MASSES

(Children’s Liturgy of the Word)

Youth 4 years of age and up are invited to the Parish Hall for the Liturgy of the Word where they listen to the readings of the day from the Children’s Lectionary. Youth participate in an age appropriate discussion and activity. Youth frequently take home a token of some sort which reminds them of the lesson throughout the week. Youth return to the Church for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Two adults are required to participate.