Sincerely in Christ, Jill Fink Director of Faith Formation

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1 April 2018 Dear Parents/Guardians: Grace and peace of Christ be with you! The Faith Formation staff join in my excitement to partner with you in passing along our Catholic faith to your children and teens. This letter orientates on our registration process, describes catechetical programs available, and outlines volunteer opportunities. Registration: Registration is needed for all catechetical parish programs. These programs systematically lay out the Catholic faith to children/teens to inform and be formed in the faith. Sacramental preparation and celebration are included in the catechetical programs. See the enclosed sheet which outlines the programs according to the age of the child/teen. The registration fee is $ per program with a family maximum of $ Children/teens registered after September 15th will be placed as space permits. Remember to list the grade your child/teen will be entering this fall. Registration form and tuition can be mailed or brought to the Parish Office. Payment: We ask that payment accompany registration. Note the payment options outlined on the registration form. Registration is not complete without payment. Epiphany is committed to serving all children and youth of our parish. Financial assistance requests should be directed to myself. No one is turned away due to financial difficulties. Program Descriptions: Please see the sheet explaining descriptions for our catechetical programs. Youth Ministry opportunities throughout the year will require separate registrations and possible payments. Check the website, bulletin, and youth room bulletin board to stay informed and involved. Calendars of the programs will be posted on the age level faith formation websites and communicated to participants in early September. Sessions begin after Catechetical Sunday, September 16. Join our staff this day after all Mass times in anticipation of Christ being proclaimed. The theme for this year is: Enlisting Witnesses for Jesus Christ. Some program times have changed so please read the registration form carefully. Ways to get involved: We provide many ways for you to share your gifts with our children and teens. Please see the Volunteer Form for more details. We can t do this without you! Each family is expected to volunteer in some capacity. Questions? For general registration questions, please contact Sue Linville at either or slinville@epiphanymn.org. For questions regarding programs, please contact the ministers at the numbers below. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3 gr. 1) Middle School Faith Formation & Mary Minor: E3:MS Youth Ministry (Gr. 6-8) mminor@epiphanymn.org Carly Radke: cradke@epiphanymn.org Family Faith & Sacrament Coordinator Confirmation & (Gr 2-5 & Special Needs Education) E3:HS Youth Ministry (Gr 9-12) Dana Butler: Eric Duffy: dbutler@epiphanymn.org eduffy@epiphanymn.org Sincerely in Christ, Jill Fink Director of Faith Formation jfink@epiphanymn.org

2 Program Descriptions Catechesis of the Good Shepherd The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children rooted in the Bible, the Liturgy of the Church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an atrium, a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use to ponder the mysteries of our faith. We will be meeting weekly on Wednesdays as part of Family Faith for Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade children. There will also be a Level 1, (ages 3-5) and a Level 2, (grades 1-3) offered on Tuesday mornings. Once your registration has been accepted, an intake form will be ed to you to fill out for your pre-school and elementary age children. During the Tuesday morning session there is opportunity for small group studies. Please see Adult Ed on the Parish website for details. Family Faith Our elementary offerings reflect a transition to weekly sessions, with the younger grades (ages 3 years through grade 1) utilizing Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and older grades (grades 2-5) continuing with the Family Formation curriculum. Recognizing parents as the primary educators of their children in faith, parents will join their children on-site for one Wednesday per month for Catholic parenting education, catechesis, liturgical experiences and parent-child activities. Families can register for session times 4:30-6pm or 6:30-8pm. On the parent Wednesdays, free childcare is provided for younger siblings of students ages 6 months to 2 years. An optional Family Meal is offered (and a freewill donation will be accepted) to nourish the stomachs and the social needs of our busy families. First Reconciliation and Eucharist Children in grade 2 are prepared for the Sacraments of Reconciliation (in February) and Eucharist (in May) during Family Faith. Parents are directly involved in helping their children prepare for these sacraments by teaching at home materials, attending parent informational sessions, retreats, practices, and celebrations. Middle School Middle School Faith Formation sessions are held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00pm for students in grades 6-8. Our sessions use large group speakers, small discussion groups, prayer, and various activities to foster growth in the youth s understanding of and relationship with God. Our materials are based on Sacred Scripture and the Catechism. The goal of this ministry is for teens to encounter Christ, seek God s truth, and grow in community as preparation for their Confirmation and life as a disciple of Christ. Middle Schoolers are also encouraged to join us at our E3 Middle School Youth Ministry activities. Confirmation Confirmation preparation sessions are held weekly on Sunday evenings from 6:45-8:15pm for students in grades The preparation is designed in a one year format with the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring. Preparation is focused on forming candidates into passionate and knowledgeable Disciples of Christ. This is done through large group speakers and small group discussions. Components of the program also include a youth ministry retreat.

3 Faith Formation Registration Form Parent/Guardian Address City/State/Zip 1 st phone 2 nd phone Primary Method of Communication Student Information Child Child Child Child First Name Last Name (if different) Gender Birth Date Age (Fall 2018) Grade (Fall 2018 School Special Needs/Allergies Check Sacraments That Your Child Has Received Baptism Reconciliation Eucharist Confirmation Registration Information Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Tues. 9-10:30 am 3 yrs - K Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Tues. 9-11:00 am grades 1-3 Family Faith (3 yrs - grade 5) Wed. 4:30-6 pm Family Faith (3 yrs - grade 5) Wed. 6:30-8 pm Middle School (grades 6-8) Wed. 6:30-8 pm Confirmation (grades 9-12) Sunday 6:45-8:15 pm Payment: Registration will be $ per program, (family maximum $300.00) due at the time of registration by check, cash, or automatic withdrawal. Students will be placed as space permits. Non-members of Epiphany Parish are welcome to join our programs but add $50.00 per family to offset costs. If you are selected to be a catechist, you will receive a refund of tuition paid for one student in the area where you are a catechist th Avenue NW Coon Rapids, MN Phone: slinville@epiphanymn.org Fax: Web:

4 By enrolling my child in Faith Formation or Sacramental Programs and Middle/High School Programs at The Church of the Epiphany, Coon Rapids, Minnesota: By virtue of being part of the Epiphany Family and Youth programming you, your child, and/or your family may be photographed and/or filmed. The parish uses these photos and videos in our in-house publications, (catechetical material, newsletters, website, etc.). All names of minors will be protected. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Coordinator of the program. All parents - Please initial the following: I agree to abide by all policies and program expectations and I will make every effort to actively participate in my child s catechesis and formation by attending parent meetings and/or sessions, modeling personal prayer, leading my family in prayer, participating in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, and going to confession regularly, (monthly is a good suggestion). I understand and agree that limited information will be shared with those who will need to contact me regarding the specifics of my child s catechesis and formation, such as volunteers, catechists, chaperones, small group leaders, etc. In consideration of my child s participation, I agree to indemnify Epiphany Church and School and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis from any claims or lawsuits brought against Epiphany Church and School and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis by myself, my child or others, that arises out of any behavior by my child during any formation session described above. I also agree to pay reasonable attorney s fees or expenses incurred by the parish/school and the Archdiocese in defense of such a claim/suit. In the event of an emergency, I give permission to transport my child to a hospital for medical treatment. I wish to be advised prior to any further treatment by a doctor or hospital. Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date: Parents of children in grades 6-12 please initial the following also: I authorize staff or other youth ministry leaders of Epiphany Church and School to communicate with my child electronically, including via social media, text, and phone in accordance with the Acceptable Use Policy for Electronic Communications. Church personnel are not required to share non-private communications, such as those sent to youth groups regarding meeting locations or times, or other administrative matters. If any staff or other leaders knowingly communicate privately with a minor as a part of his or her duties for or on behalf of Epiphany Church and School, reasonable steps must be taken to send to the parent the same communication content, not necessarily via the same technology. I acknowledge that to review or receive public communications shared via social media with My Child, I will need to become a fan or follower of the same social media. I understand that communications may be accessible or viewable by others who are also fans or followers of the same social media. Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date:

5 Our programs serve over 350 families. Your gifts and talents are needed. We need and welcome members of each family to volunteer this year in at least one area of Faith Formation. Name Faith Formation Volunteer Form Please use a separate volunteer form for each person in your family who is volunteering. Address Phone City/Zip Phone If you are interested in being a catechist, please use the Catechist Application in addition to this form. If you are selected to be a catechist, you will receive a refund of tuition paid for one student in the area where you are a catechist. Please contact Bobbi at or bdaignault@epiphanymn.org to verify that you are compliant. The Archdiocese now requires that All volunteers that have regular or unsupervised interaction with minors and/or vulnerable adults must complete the Enhanced Essential 3 (EE3) before volunteering. The EE3 consists of: Criminal background check Attend a Virtus training session (update online every 3 years) Complete the Code of Conduct training module Complete the Reporting Suspected Child Abuse training module Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Tues. 9-10:30 am 3 yrs K or Tues. 9-11:00 am grades 1-3 Lead Catechist (trained in Level 1) Lead Catechist (trained in Level 2) Assistant Catechist Office Help (copying & cutting materials Substitute Catechist Please consider becoming a trained CGS Catechist so we can grow this beautiful method in our parish. I am interested in learning more about becoming a trained CGS Catechist Family Faith Wednesday Evening Wednesdays 4:30-6:00 pm Wednesdays 6:30-8:00 pm CGS Catechist (must be trained in Level 1 CGS) Catechist Grade Preferred Assistant Catechist Pre K - grade Substitute Catechist Sacrament Assistant Child Care in Nursery Family Meal Helper Office Helper Parent Greeter Hall Monitor Photographer Soundboard/Projectionist Musician

6 Middle School Faith Formation Wednesday Evening 6:30-8:00 pm weekly Catechist Grade preferred 6 th 7 th 8 th Catechist Assistant Grade preferred 6 th 7 th 8 th Substitute Catechist Hall Monitor Confirmation Sunday Evenings 6:45-8:15 pm weekly Catechist for Confirmation Hall Monitor Adult Education RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Sponsor Hospitality Parish Reconciliation Service/Line Leader Faith Formation Commission Meets 1 night per month, September-June to advise the director on programming Catechist: Teach a class of 8-12 students using the supplied curriculum. Catechists attend a training session. Substitute Catechist: Teach the class of a main catechist in case of illness or absence. Substitute catechists attend a training or are provided the material for the session they teach. Office Helper: Assist Faith Formation staff with special projects, collating home lessons, etc. at home, or during the day, or class time. Hall Monitor: Monitors a hallway to ensure the safety of the students. Please return this form to Sue Linville at the Parish office. If you have any questions please call

7 Faith Formation Catechist Application Name Address Phone City/Zip Phone Ages or grades of children you are interested in teaching Please answer the following questions. You may use another sheet of paper if necessary. 1. Why do you want to be a Catechist? 2. What experience have you had working with students? 3. What personal qualities do you possess which will assist you in being a good Catechist? The Archdiocese now requires that All volunteers that have regular or unsupervised interaction with minors and/or vulnerable adults must complete the Enhanced Essential 3 (EE3) before volunteering. The EE3 consists of: Criminal background check Attend a Virtus training session (update online every 3 years) Complete the Code of Conduct training module Complete the Reporting Suspected Child Abuse training module Please contact Bobbi at or bdaignault@epiphanymn.org to verify that you are compliant.

8 Faith Formation Automatic Withdrawal Authorization Form Checking or Savings Accounts Amount due for school year $ Payments (total amount due divided by 6) will be withdrawn on the 15 th of the month. Payments will start October 2018 ending with March 2019 or until balance is paid in full. I understand this authorization will remain in effect until I (we) notify Epiphany Church in writing or by phone with Accounting, that I (we) wish to revoke this authorization. I (we) understand Epiphany Church requires at least three business days prior notice to cancel. Authorization will remain in effect until balance is paid in full. Signature Required: Date: Please attach a voided check or savings withdrawal from financial institution here. Revisions to your financial institution information can be provided to Sue Erickson at or serickson@epiphanymn.org.