SAINT JOHN PAUL II FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM
During the Pandemic will will be going to a Family-Centered At Home Faith Formation Program
We are proud to announce our 2020-21 Faith Formation Program for this year. We will begin the year October 1st and through thru December 31 we will be guiding your family through a family-centered At-Home Model.
This letter describes the plan for this year. When you are through reading through it, please take time to let us know if your family will be participating. https://loris246181.typeform.com/to/V7WTIGVb
In December, we will re-evaluate and adjust. If things change and restrictions for gathering in groups are lifted, we hope to add an in-person group component.
The program for GRADES K – 4 & 5 – 8 is called “Growing Up Catholic: Faith Stories”. There are fifteen (15) sessions in all for the year.
Each session contains catechetical lessons for the children, and adults of the family. A story-based approach focuses on the core of our Catholic faith, and coaching for parents to assist them in sharing faith with their children. Every session is presented in family booklets for Pre-k – Grade 5th, with editions for Grades 6th - 8th. As a family you will be reading, discussing, and doing activities- NOT SITTING IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER SCREEN!
Cost per student - $50.00**
**Our tuition last year was $75.00 per student and this is really what is needed to meet our budget. Due to Covid-19, the parish has lowered tuition by $25.00 (and lowered by $10 per sacrament.) If your family has been hit financially hard by this pandemic, please contact Mary at Mary.F@jp2parish.org or at 627-2910 to discuss options. If your family has been very blessed during this pandemic and you would like to donate additional funds or sponsor other less fortunate parish families, please do so, it will be greatly appreciated to help keep our Parish Community together during these uncertain times.
For participation credit (known as “attendance” in the past), each child should upload or email /drop off a photo, PDF, or printed copy of ONE activity that they did for a total of 15 for the year.
You will be able to use the website to upload, or you can always email Lori.s@jp2parish.org , or drop off at the main parish doors during the week 9am-1pm. Another option is to drop off your work when you come to Mass on the weekend. Just use the mailbox on the wall outside the Faith Formation Office.
Participation credit can also be earned if/when attending Mass in person! Just sign in when you come to Mass. The sign-in book is just outside the faith Formation Office.
There is no wrong way to use this At Home program. You can work directly as a nuclear family. Older siblings can work with younger siblings. Grandparents can join in the fun. Small friend groups can get together. It is an At-Home program, but it can be done in the car, waiting at the hockey rink, in the park, etc.
We will also provide additional activities each month that your student can submit for additional credit or for a small prize.
A Facebook Family Support Page will be set up and monitored for positivity by Lori Stoklosa. You can post questions and share ideas with other families, and help each other out. Such as: What do you do to include Jesus in your daily mealtime? – Is there a family fun prayer that you make up? Do you go go around the table and say something you’re thankful for? Do you meet with other families to cover materials as a small group?
We will also have our catechists and parishioners provide Passion Pieces in which they share something about their faith with you and your family. (by video, writing, or activities, etc.)
GRADE 9 At Home Model – October thru December 31 - Jonathan Molik using written content, using Zoom, other technology and possible small group meetings. He is hoping to add face to face components after the first of the year.
GRADE 10 At home Model – October thru December 31 - Jonathan Molik using written content, using Zoom, other technology, and possible small group meetings. He is hoping to add a face to face component after the first of the year.
Cost per student for 9 & 10: $50.00**
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
For the past few years, preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion are have been done as a family, at home. This year we will do the reverse. The children will still be provided with the Blessed Books and Videos for at home learning, but we will offer small group face to face classes for reinforcement of the content after January 1st. For Confirmation, there will be Zoom and small group face-to-face meetings as well additional work to be done at home.
Cost per Sacrament: First Reconciliation & First Communion $25**
Confirmation $40**
Now that you have had a chance to review the plan for the Faith Formation 2020-21 year, please click on the following link to respond whether or not you will be participating. https://loris246181.typeform.com/to/V7WTIGVb
Thank you!
Barb & Lori Stoklosa
This letter describes the plan for this year. When you are through reading through it, please take time to let us know if your family will be participating. https://loris246181.typeform.com/to/V7WTIGVb
In December, we will re-evaluate and adjust. If things change and restrictions for gathering in groups are lifted, we hope to add an in-person group component.
The program for GRADES K – 4 & 5 – 8 is called “Growing Up Catholic: Faith Stories”. There are fifteen (15) sessions in all for the year.
Each session contains catechetical lessons for the children, and adults of the family. A story-based approach focuses on the core of our Catholic faith, and coaching for parents to assist them in sharing faith with their children. Every session is presented in family booklets for Pre-k – Grade 5th, with editions for Grades 6th - 8th. As a family you will be reading, discussing, and doing activities- NOT SITTING IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER SCREEN!
Cost per student - $50.00**
**Our tuition last year was $75.00 per student and this is really what is needed to meet our budget. Due to Covid-19, the parish has lowered tuition by $25.00 (and lowered by $10 per sacrament.) If your family has been hit financially hard by this pandemic, please contact Mary at Mary.F@jp2parish.org or at 627-2910 to discuss options. If your family has been very blessed during this pandemic and you would like to donate additional funds or sponsor other less fortunate parish families, please do so, it will be greatly appreciated to help keep our Parish Community together during these uncertain times.
For participation credit (known as “attendance” in the past), each child should upload or email /drop off a photo, PDF, or printed copy of ONE activity that they did for a total of 15 for the year.
You will be able to use the website to upload, or you can always email Lori.s@jp2parish.org , or drop off at the main parish doors during the week 9am-1pm. Another option is to drop off your work when you come to Mass on the weekend. Just use the mailbox on the wall outside the Faith Formation Office.
Participation credit can also be earned if/when attending Mass in person! Just sign in when you come to Mass. The sign-in book is just outside the faith Formation Office.
There is no wrong way to use this At Home program. You can work directly as a nuclear family. Older siblings can work with younger siblings. Grandparents can join in the fun. Small friend groups can get together. It is an At-Home program, but it can be done in the car, waiting at the hockey rink, in the park, etc.
We will also provide additional activities each month that your student can submit for additional credit or for a small prize.
A Facebook Family Support Page will be set up and monitored for positivity by Lori Stoklosa. You can post questions and share ideas with other families, and help each other out. Such as: What do you do to include Jesus in your daily mealtime? – Is there a family fun prayer that you make up? Do you go go around the table and say something you’re thankful for? Do you meet with other families to cover materials as a small group?
We will also have our catechists and parishioners provide Passion Pieces in which they share something about their faith with you and your family. (by video, writing, or activities, etc.)
GRADE 9 At Home Model – October thru December 31 - Jonathan Molik using written content, using Zoom, other technology and possible small group meetings. He is hoping to add face to face components after the first of the year.
GRADE 10 At home Model – October thru December 31 - Jonathan Molik using written content, using Zoom, other technology, and possible small group meetings. He is hoping to add a face to face component after the first of the year.
Cost per student for 9 & 10: $50.00**
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
For the past few years, preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion are have been done as a family, at home. This year we will do the reverse. The children will still be provided with the Blessed Books and Videos for at home learning, but we will offer small group face to face classes for reinforcement of the content after January 1st. For Confirmation, there will be Zoom and small group face-to-face meetings as well additional work to be done at home.
Cost per Sacrament: First Reconciliation & First Communion $25**
Confirmation $40**
Now that you have had a chance to review the plan for the Faith Formation 2020-21 year, please click on the following link to respond whether or not you will be participating. https://loris246181.typeform.com/to/V7WTIGVb
Thank you!
Barb & Lori Stoklosa
PAST YEARS traditional classes - WEEKLY CLASSES FOR STUDENTS PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 10
Our main catechetical program consists of weekly classes for children and youth, from mid -September through the first week in May. At every level there is at least one mandatory Parent Session during the year; during sacramental preparation years there are more. All participants in Grades 5-10 are required to perform/document at least 10 hours of Community Service each calendar year.
- Classes for children from PreK through Grade 4 are held on Sunday morning, from 10:30am -11:45am in the Southtowns Catholic School building.
- Classes for young people in Grades 5 through 8 are held on Tuesday evening, from 7:00pm-8:15pm starting in the main church and then in the Southtowns Catholic School classrooms.
- Classes for teens in Grades 9 & 10 are held on Sunday evening, from 6:30pm-8:15pm starting in the main church and in the Southtowns Catholic School classrooms or community room.
FAMILY AT THE CENTER – for the entire family
This program is an alternative to the weekly program. In this program, the entire family participates together at five bi-monthly learning/faith-sharing sessions (between September and June.) In between these sessions, families are expected to work with their children at home using textbooks and resources provided by the parish. This option provides an opportunity for the whole family to grow in faith and discipleship, and to worship together by attending Mass regularly and to attend at least 3 parish events from a given list throughout the year. As well as, perform in 10 hours of community service together.
There is a central topic/theme set for each year; each session is related to that topic.
The sessions are usually on a weeknight, and include a shared dinner, prayer, learning, and faith- sharing. Our initial meeting and final meeting for the year are held on a weekend, which allows the group to celebrate Mass together.
There is a central topic/theme set for each year; each session is related to that topic.
The sessions are usually on a weeknight, and include a shared dinner, prayer, learning, and faith- sharing. Our initial meeting and final meeting for the year are held on a weekend, which allows the group to celebrate Mass together.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Generally, at Saint John Paul II the Sacraments are prepared for and received on the following schedule:
For a child to prepare for and receive the Sacraments, we require:
- First Penance and Reconciliation: Grade 2
- First Holy Communion: Grade 3
- Confirmation: Grade 10 (preparation) and Fall of Grade 11 (reception)
For a child to prepare for and receive the Sacraments, we require:
- Proof of the child’s baptism*
- Proof of at least one year of formal religious instruction prior to preparation for a sacrament
- An interview with the child and parents to determine readiness for the sacrament
LITURGY OF THE WORD WITH CHILDREN (LWWC)
LWWC occurs during the 9:30am Mass on Sunday morning. All children ages 3-10 are invited to participate.
When it is time for the Liturgy of the Word to begin, all of the children and a Leader are called forward to the altar by the celebrant. They are then led to a quiet place where the Leader proclaims the Gospel in language more accessible to the children, and spends time explaining and “breaking open” the Sacred Scriptures to them. These sessions may include music, coloring, crafts, or puzzles as a means to reinforce the message of the Gospel.
The children return to the main worship space to rejoin their parents during the Prayers of the Faithful.
This is a good service opportunity for high school teens; they can sign up to be a leader for a month of Sundays, or for as many months as they’d like. Contact the Faith Formation Office for more information.
When it is time for the Liturgy of the Word to begin, all of the children and a Leader are called forward to the altar by the celebrant. They are then led to a quiet place where the Leader proclaims the Gospel in language more accessible to the children, and spends time explaining and “breaking open” the Sacred Scriptures to them. These sessions may include music, coloring, crafts, or puzzles as a means to reinforce the message of the Gospel.
The children return to the main worship space to rejoin their parents during the Prayers of the Faithful.
This is a good service opportunity for high school teens; they can sign up to be a leader for a month of Sundays, or for as many months as they’d like. Contact the Faith Formation Office for more information.
SUMMER VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Each July, our parish offers a one-week VBS program for children ages 3-10. This exciting and fun one-week program reinforces basic truths about God using stories, music, prayer, crafts, games, videos, and snacks to engage the children.
This week also provides our young people with a great community service opportunity! Anyone who has finished 5th Grade, and older, can volunteer to be a leader for the younger children. Contact the Faith Formation Office for more information
This week also provides our young people with a great community service opportunity! Anyone who has finished 5th Grade, and older, can volunteer to be a leader for the younger children. Contact the Faith Formation Office for more information