3 YEAR OLD, 4 YEAR OLD & PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM
These drop-in programs are provided to begin to familiarize children with the Liturgy of the Word. The children work with the Gospel story, do a fun activity and have prayer time. Please drop children off before Mass downstairs in room 101 or 102 and pick them up in the Gathering space after the Homily. The program is held throughout the year. It begins the First Sunday of Advent and is set on the quarter system. The availability of classes is based on the number of people who come forward to share with the youngest members of our community. Training is held before the beginning of each quarter. All materials and lesson plans are provided. Children can join the sessions at any time throughout the year. There is no charge for these sessions.
ALL GOD’S CHILDREN
This process is for children or adults with special needs (emotional, physical, behavioral, or developmental disabilities). Individualized programs are established for them. They meet during the school year on Thursday evenings from 6:00-7:00. Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation is provided through this process. FOR MORE SPECIFIC INFORMATION ONLY ABOUT ALL GOD'S CHILDREN Please contact: Gabriela Wenda-Collier at 303-422-8956.
LECTIONARY-BASED CATECHESIS (LBC)
This process is the primary religious formation for children from Kindergarten through 6th grade. Children are dismissed from the worship space before the mass begins and return to join their families at the offertory. While the adults are listening to the readings and the homily, the children are doing the same, but at their level of understanding. Our process begins on the First Sunday of Advent and is available throughout the year. Registration is held during October and November, but new families are invited to register any time. Families joining the process after registration will need to meet with a staff person to learn how to work with their children at home. There is a charge for the materials. ($30 per child with a maximum of $60 per family. Scholarship money is available.) We recruit for new catechists four times a year and the availability of grade level sessions at each mass is based on the number of people who come forward to share the Word with the children. Training is provided for all people who would like to be part of this ministry at the beginning of each quarter. (Winter Quarter – December, January, February; Spring Quarter – March, April, May; Summer Quarter – June, July, August; Fall Quarter – September, October, November).
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
BAPTISM
There are sessions throughout the year for the parents of children from birth through grade one who would like to have their child baptized, see dates below. There are three sessions which are held on either Wednesday evenings from 7:00-9:00 or Sunday afternoons from 2:00-4:00. These sessions are required if it has been two years since you last attended Baptism preparation sessions. To register, please call or come to the office to pick up a Baptism packet. After reading the packet, you will have an orientation session before attending the sessions. After you have completed the sessions your child can be baptized. Baptisms are scheduled on all Sundays, except the Sundays of Lent, following the 12:15 mass. We also schedule one Sunday a month to celebrate Baptism during mass. If your child is second grade or older they will need to be involved in another process to be baptized. Parents are encouraged to do the preparation prior to the birth of the child.
Classes are scheduled for:
FIRST RECONCILIATION (Confession)
Registration is held the first part of September. Children need to be second grade or older to participate. Parents need to attend two meetings and then will work with their children at home with materials provided. There are family celebrations prior to celebrating the sacrament. Children will celebrate the sacrament in November. All children must be prepared for Reconciliation before they prepare for First Eucharist. This process is held only once a year. Parents may prepare their children outside of this process, but there will be no special celebrations provided. If your child is in grade seven or older they will need to participate in another process. If you want your child to participate in First Eucharist (Holy Communion) in the spring, they must do preparation for First Reconciliation (Confession) this fall. Children must be in second grade or older to participate.
FIRST EUCHARIST
Registration is held the first part of January. Children need to be prepared for First Reconciliation before participating in this process. Parents need to attend one meeting before beginning work with their children. We provide a tour of the church and several events for the children prior to First Eucharist which is celebrated in May. Parents may prepare their children outside of this process, but there will be no special celebrations provided. If your child is in grade seven or older they will need to participate in another process.
INITIATION FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
This process, called the Family Catechumenate, is for those second grade through high school who have never been baptized or who have been baptized in other Christian Churches who want to become Catholic. It is also for baptized Catholics who are grade seven or older who have only been baptized Catholic and need to celebrate First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Eucharist. If adults in the family also want to become Catholic or complete their sacraments they can do so. This is a family process. At least one adult needs to attend with the child or teen and will be responsible for working at home as a family as part of the process. The sessions are held on Sunday morning from 10:00 to 12:00 from the end of September through Pentecost with the children or teens celebrating the sacraments at the Easter Vigil.
If you need information about any of the offerings for Christian Formation contact Maureen De Aoun by or by phone at 303-422-9173 extension 114.