updated 9/27/21

Dear parents,

The school year is almost out—and COVID is loosening its grip. We in the Office for Youth & Families at St Mary’s are so looking forward to next year when we’ll get to return to in-person gatherings and some sense of normalcy—though much has changed!

ELEMENTARY children are invited to choose a session from those below.  The way we spend our time here will look fresh and new, conscious that the goal of Catholic formation is not simply to learn the right answers the way it might be for another subject in school.  Instead, we’ll strive to awaken the Christian imagination.  Children will learn to pray and to practice the faith. They will learn the stories in the Scriptures and the lives of the Saints, and thereby, come to know the foundational elements of the Catechism.

 Sunday @ 9:30-10:15AM    

 Tuesday @ 4:30-5:15PM  

 Home Study 

HOME STUDY families will receive a core resource book and packet (God’s Wondrous Love) that walks you through about a half-hour’s worth of content for each week—which all of your 1^st-5^th graders can tackle together.  The book is for the parent facilitator; each child will receive his/her own packet.  An email will also come each week from the home-study coordinator to help keep you connected and on-track.  Just a few times during the year you will be invited to gather at the parish for some special events.  

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Our re-vamped MIDDLE SCHOOL ministry, EDGE, will provide a safe, fun place for youth in 6^th-8^th grades to find Catholic community, answers to their questions and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Youth will gather in an environment that is relationally and spiritually appropriate for their developmental level weekly on MONDAY nights from 7:00-8:00PM in the GYM. Part of this time will be large group games and teaching, followed by small group discussion and prayer. Meghan & John Newman will be spearheading this effort and can’t wait to meet you there!

Home/Independent study is also an option here—just select it when you register. 

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HIGH SCHOOLERS are invited to continue their formation in faith on SUNDAY nights from 6:00-7:00PM (tentative) in the HALL/GYM. This time will include dinner and social time, and a variety of catechetical and life-issue related activities. There will be abundant opportunities for building meaningful relationships with adults who will support you in your mission as parents to raise faithful Catholic young men and women. It should be a priority that during these formative years our youth are exposed to the profound teachings and vibrant life of the Church so that it is not left to their social networks and social media to form their worldview. You can find more detail and the schedule for this on our website.

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Please note the following changes to SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION:

2^nd graders will receive FIRST PENANCE in January; FIRST COMMUNION in April/May.

3^rd graders will receive FIRST COMMUNION in April/May, as anticipated.

8th AND 9th graders are invited to prepare for CONFIRMATION, to be received in March.

On your registration, for their session, select Middle/High School respectively; and then be sure to click “Confirmation” under student sacrament info. All candidates who register for Confirmation must also be registered for their normal grade level catechesis—and are strongly encouraged, though not required, to attend as often as possible. The only dates *required* are those outlined on the schedule on the website.

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If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out.

We look forward to accompanying your family this year as you grow in faith and love!

Josephine Bove                                   Laura Danner                          Monsignor Kevin Royal

Administrative Assistant                      Pastoral Associate                   Pastor

 

PS-- PLEASE take care to click the very small "ADD" button for EACH one of the children you are registering. Without this, your registration, and payment, will be incomplete. Thanks for your patience and cooperation attending to this quirk of our platform. 

PSS-- If you are registering multiple children, please feel free to use the CODE "MULTIPLES2" for 2 children; "MULTIPLES3" for 3 children; and so forth up to 5 children. 

Register Now!