FAITH FORMATION FOR STUDENTS
GRADES 1 - 10
St. Paul’s Religious Education programs are focused on nurturing our faith as well as sharing knowledge about God. We feel very strongly that parents are the primary educators of their children; therefore, our program is designed to enhance the foundation that you as parents are already giving to your children.
We are preparing children for discipleship and citizenship. It is our hope that the parents and parish of St. Paul can work together in partnership to give children the knowledge and example they need to become people who give witness to their Catholic Christian faith. Participation in weekly Mass and prayer in the home are integral to the spiritual growth of children and adults. We hope that the information and teaching they receive from our program supplement what they see and do within the family.
This is our mission, and it is an awesome responsibility. Please pray that together we can accomplish our objectives. The parish is the center of faith formation for Catholics. Every person in your pews, every Catholic in your parish community…child or adult…is on their own journey toward Christ and a life of discipleship.
Grades 1-5
Most of our classes are held on Sunday mornings prior to the 9:30 am Mass in the church hall. We also have some classes on Monday afternoons in the church hall. We also offer Home Study for those families that cannot attend classes. Home study is when a parent takes the responsibility of teaching his/her child at home with Grade-appropriate support and materials offered by the parish.
Grades 6, 7, 8
We are pleased to be offering the EDGE program to our Middle School students! We meet on either Tuesday or Wednesday nights from 7 to 8:30pm in the Church Hall.
Grades 9 & 10
Our 2-year Confirmation Journey is called ONE/8 (in reference to Acts 1:8) and is an impressive 8-month program which meets once per month on Sundays.
Volunteers
St. Paul's is blessed with many positive role models - faith witnesses who serve as examples of what it truly means to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. We ask you to step forward to share your faith journey through any of our Religious Education Programs. We have rewarding volunteer opportunities as teachers or co-teachers, and substitutes. On-going teacher training and support is always offered.
All volunteers must fill out a “CORI” form and take “Protecting God’s Children” mini workshop.
Thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement to this Ministry and to St. Paul's Parish.
Sincerely in Christ,
Kristen Monahan, PREP Program Co-Ordinator (Gr. 1-5)
Debra Brown, EDGE Program Co-Ordinator (Gr. 6-8)
John Cusolito, PURPOSE/Confirmation PREP Program Co-Ordinator (Gr. 9-10)
This is the earliest phase in the process; it is also known as the Period of Inquiry. Catechumens and Candidates acknowledge that Christ is calling them into the Church through the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is a time for seeking and reflection.
The first Rite in the OCIA process, the Rite of Initiation accepts new members into the worshipping community.
The longest part of the process, the Catechumenate is a time of learning and formation in the traditions and doctrine of the Catholic Church. This is a time for sharing stories, reading scripture, and studying the Church customs, traditions and doctrine. Participants also participate in worship services and various Church rituals.
This is a time of reflection and celebration after the formal reception into the Catholic Church. Mystagogia means “leading into the mystery” and it is a time to explore the deep mystery of our faith and go forth to help build the reign of God on Earth as new members of the faithful.
Catechumens and Candidates are chosen to be received by the bishop and the community and to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter.