Religious Formation
Director of Religions Education:
Youth Minister:
Karen Meadowcroft
Mr. Len Komorowski
karen.meadowcroft@st-patrick-parish.com
len.komorowski@st-patrick-parish.com
ANNOUNCEMENTS: REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN for next Fall! Please get your registrations in now! If you do not have a registration form and would like one emailed to you, please email Karen Meadowcroft.
The source for all programs and classes at St. Patrick Parish comes from a combination of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the General Directory for Catechetical Leaders, Holy Scripture, Textbooks written for appropriate age levels, guidelines from our local Bishop, Robert Morlino, and the combined wisdom and experience of our parish catechetical leaders, Msgr. Raymond Kertz, Karen Meadowcroft, the Director of all programs and activities, Len Komorowski, Youth Minister and all of our catechists who volunteer their time and talents in order to pass the faith of the Roman Catholic Church on to the younger generations.
Our mission is to teach the young people of our parish all they need to know and lead them in a variety of celebrations and activities in order to guide them in the formation of their faith – the faith that guides their every action on a daily basis and calls them to worship and celebrate their faith every week with the community of St. Patrick Parish or any other Roman Catholic Church. From Grade 1 on through the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation as Juniors in High School, it is our goal to assist every child in discovering the faith that is given to them from God the Father Almighty as pure gift, to walk with His Son, Jesus Christ our Savior and to be guided in every action by the Holy Spirit of God. It is an inspiration to every adult in the parish to be witness to this formation of individual faith.
Grades 1-5
Classes are taught by a large group of very dedicated and faith-filled volunteer catechists and meet on Tuesday OR Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. during the school year. When registering, parents choose which evening works best for them. There is a limit of 20 students per class. Preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist takes place during the 2nd Grade. First Communion is a family celebration and can be scheduled for any weekend Mass during the month of May. Special activities designed to learn about and celebrate such Feasts as All Saints and Souls, Christmas, Epiphany, Fat Tuesday, Holy Week, Easter, etc. all promote better understanding of the seasons of the Church year and add to the building of traditions in the lives of these children and their families. Parent participation and support adds to the success of this part of our program.
Grades 6-8
Four (4) week mini-courses are offered for students in Grades 6-8. These mini-courses meet on Sunday evenings between 6 and 7:45 p.m. Students are required to attend a minimum of two (2) mini-courses each year. We have a limit of 20 students per course in order to facilitate discussion among the students. A wide variety of activities and programs involving this age group including the Diocesan Youth Rally, Camp Gray Fun Day, Net Team sessions, service projects, field trips, etc. are also offered. The success of this program will depend on the participation of all parents. Parents, please volunteer to help us with supper, etc. so the success of the first year will continue to grow and make this a very pleasant, as well as worthwhile, experience for the students.
High School
9th Grade YEAR consists of 2 mini-courses of the students choice covering a broad range of topics designed to give teens a common understanding of their faith. Freshman also attend a retreat. Freshman meet in the Parish Basement Sundays from 6-7:45 p.m.
10th Grade YEAR includes 2 mini-courses of the students choice which
meet Sunday evenings from 6-7:45 p.m. Sophomores attend a retreat and begin
providing service to the parish and community. At the beginning of their 10th
Grade year a special orientation meeting will take place for Parents and
Students to go over Confirmation requirements. A Candidate Study Guide will be
provided for students to utilize throughout the two years.
11th Grade CONFIRMATION Prep consists of bi-weekly meetings on Sunday
afternoons from 3:30 to 5 p.m., a Retreat and Confirmation Rehearsal &
Reconciliation. All service projects are to be completed by December of their
Junior Year.
12th Grade students will be offered opportunities to grow in their faith by becoming more integrated into the parish community by way of serving as lectors, ushers, extraordinary ministers of communion, song leaders, greeters, etc. We encourage these students to consider passing on their faith to the younger children of the parish by way of volunteering in the religious education program as catechist or aide. Mini-courses will be offered to seniors with the aim of preparing them for college and work as adult Catholics.
Family Religious Formation
As an alternative to our regular classes, parents may choose to bring their whole families (including possible non-Catholic Moms or Dads) together with several other families to learn with and from each other the faith of our Roman Catholic Church. Their children are encouraged to take part in the various celebrations and projects along with all other children of the parish but their requirements for learning about and forming their faith will be fulfilled within the family program. Families may elect to be assigned to a family group or attend monthly family meetings led by the DRE or other guest speaker. Those assigned to a family grouping decides among themselves when and where they will meet. All materials and information necessary are provided by the Director of Religious Education as well as training for those who would like additional help preparing. While St. Pat's has had a family program for over 10 years, this format of the family program has changed in order to assist families with busy schedules to meet their need to fit everything in. Contact Ms. Meadowcroft for more details. (karen.meadowcroft@st-patrick-parish.com) Adult only groups are also formed for those without children who wish to learn more about the faith.
First Reconciliation and First Communion
First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation are a home based program at St. Patrick. Parents and children come together in the fall to attend a retreat on First Reconciliation. They are given the home study books at that retreat. The children involved in the First Reconciliation program come together in January or February to participate for the first time in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
In the Spring, parents once again gather together for an evening of reflection and understanding on the Mass and the Eucharist. At that meeting they are given the home study books to work with their children Parents will bring their child to a First Communion Retreat in the Spring prior to the reception of the sacrament. First Communion is then celebrated in the context of the Sunday liturgies in May.
Any parent who has a child who is in the second grade and/or seven years old or older and has not yet received First Reconciliation or First Communion is welcome to be part of this program. Please call Karen Meadowcroft if you have any questions or would like to participate in this program – 251-7857 or karen.meadowcroft@st-patrick-parish.com
PROCEDURE FOR CANCELING CLASSES IS AS FOLLOWS:
Radio Station WIBA 1310 AM is called. This Web Page will have a runner across the front page. (http://www.st-patrick-parish.com). If you don’t have Internet access, team up with a friend or neighbor who does. This will always be the best way to be informed. Each Catechist is called. Sometimes the weather is typical winter weather but not bad enough to cancel. In those cases, parents have the choice to keep their children at home if they feel it is unsafe to be out.
Please feel free to contact Ms. Meadowcroft (251-7857), or by E-mail