BREAKTHROUGH FAITH FORMATION

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1 2 BREAKTHROUGH FAITH FORMATION Carlo Stebbings, Director of Faith Formation Matt Vadala, Office Manager for the Parishes of Auburn, NY Sacred Heart & Saint Ann s, Ss. Mary & Martha (St. Francis/St. Hyacinth) St. Alphonsus and St. Mary s (315) carlo.stebbings@dor.org matthew.vadala@dor.org auburnweedsportcatholicchurches.org Welcome! The most fulfilling aspects of our lives are often the relationships we have, are they not? How much joy and peace can be found in the eyes of our Beloved? What purpose and promise in holding and beholding our children. Yet, we are all called to something even more joyful, more peaceful, with even more promise and purpose, because we are each and every one of us called to a very real and intimate relationship with a very real and living God. Pope Benedict XVI stated in his encyclical Deus Caritas est that, Being Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction. Our faith doesn t make sense apart from relationship. It is all about relationship. This is exciting, this is the good news of Jesus Christ. This is Breakthrough! Leading Youth to Christ through Encounter And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32-34) K-2 nd Grade- Sheepfold Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (Matthew 19: 13-14) Our youngest students learn the basics of our Catholic Faith and three foundation truths: 1) God Made Me, 2) God Loves ME, and 3) Jesus Wants to be My Friend Forever. Students in grade 2 begin the formation process to encounter the Source of Summit of our faith, Holy

2 Eucharist. With the reception of First Penance and Holy Eucharist they are ready to begin a new journey of spiritual growth. 3 rd -5 th Grade- Ascend After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. (Matthew 17:1) Having received their First Holy Eucharist students in grades 3-5 begin to Ascend the mountain of faith toward full initiation in the Catholic Church. Students continue to build their understanding of church teaching, and forming relationships with Jesus and others. These years will focus on the life of the catholic i.e. liturgical year, catholic prayers, saints, virtue 6 th -8 th Grade- EDGE Youth Ministry I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. (Philippians 4:13) Middle School Students reach the summit and make a personal decision for Christ. This is the time for intense formation for full initiation into the Catholic Church at the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation. During this somewhat confusing time for students, much time will focus on identity as a disciple of Christ and what it looks like to live as his disciple. 8 th grade year is the start of the intense formation period for confirmation. 9 th -12 th Grade- EMMAUS Youth Ministry They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles wings; They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. (Isaiah 40:31) High School Students, having been fully initiated through Confirmation at the end of their 9 th grade year, begin to spread their wings of faith and live their lives as intentional disciples of Jesus Christ. High school students move into deeper discussions on what it means to follow Christ, holiness, the issues of the day, and the church vocations. 3 Our goals are simple: 1) Encounter the awesome love of God and to be transformed by that love! 2) Engage with the teachings of our faith and the rich spiritual traditions of our Catholic Faith as the support for our lifelong journey of faith!. 3) Witness our faith to others! Catechetical materials used are approved by the Diocese of Rochester and demonstrated to be effective throughout the United States. Communication is Paramount Clear, timely, and accurate communication is important to ensure our program is effectively run and enjoyed by all participants. The office of faith formation will strive to communicate in a clear and timely manner. We ask that you take the time to read all communications. Besides mailings, we will use and text message. To receive communication we ask that all parents/guardians share an to be enrolled in Constant Contact. Please read all s! We ask that you enroll to receive text messages from REMIND. Codes given out at the beginning of the year! Please regularly check our website for updates. Weather related cancellations and emergency notifications will be shared by , text, and channels 9,3,5! If you have any questions or concerns about registration, singing up for REMIND, attendance, or any other administrative needs, contact Matt at matthew.vadala@dor.org. For all other questions, contact Carlo at carlo.stebbings@dor.org 4

3 5 6 Registration and fees for all Programs The registration for all programs is being handled at one central location: the Faith Formation Office located at Sacred Heart Church. Registration forms are available in the back of the Churches of Saint Mary s, Sacred Heart & Saint Ann s, Saint Francis, Saint Hyacinth, and Saint Alphonsus. Forms can be brought to or mailed to the Faith Formation Office, 90 Melrose Road, Auburn, NY, Checks should be made out to Faith Formation Fees: Weekly Program, Monthly/Summer, EDGE: $60 per child **Sacrament Fees are in addition to the regular fee Sacrament of Confirmation, one time fee of $125 per child. The fee is $50 if your child attends a Catholic School. Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion, one time fee of $60. If you have more than two children in a family who need to register, after paying $120 for the first two children, for any additional children you pay $40 per child. If these fees place too great a burden on your household, we are happy to work with you. Religious Education for students in K through 12th grade. We offer dynamic religious education programs for students in K-12th grade who do not attend Catholic School. Weekly Options Students attend weekly Faith Formation classes through the school year according to grade. Students are expected to attend all classes to meet the religious education requirement for the year. Sunday Morning Weekly Program Grades: K-5 Sundays: 8:45-10:00 am Held at: St. Joseph School 89 E. Genesee Street, Auburn, NY Class Schedule: September 9, 16, 23, 30 October 7, 14, 21, 28 November 4, 18 December 2, 9, 16 January 6, 13, 27 February 3, 10 March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 April 7, 14 No child will be turned away because of finances! Special Needs Notice For General Catechesis: If your child has any special learning needs please contact the Faith Formation Office in advance so we can discuss approximate placement and any aide accommodations if necessary.

4 7 8 Monday Afternoon Weekly Program Grades: K-5 Mondays: 4:30 6:00 pm Held at: St. Joseph School 89 E. Genesee Street, Auburn, NY Class Schedule: September 10, 17, 24 October 1, 15, 22, 29 November 5, 19, 26 December 3, 10, 17 January 7, 14, 28 February 4, 11, 25 March 4, 11, 18, 25 April 1, 8 EDGE Middle School Youth Ministry Sunday morning from 8:45-10:00am Monday evening from 6:30pm-8:00pm Held at: St. Alphonsus Parish Center Schedule: will follow the Sunday morning and Monday afternoon schedule. Check website for additional information and dates! EMMAUS High School Youth Ministry Sunday evenings from 6:30pm-8:00pm Held at: Youth Room in St. Joseph School Schedule: We meet Sunday evenings unless otherwise noted! Check website for additional information and dates Monthly Options 1: Family Sessions/Summer Session Grades: K-8 Students complete this program by attending 5 of the 7 monthly sessions with a parent. After attending 5 sessions they are eligible to attend the two-week summer portion that will complete that year s religious education requirement. Monthly Sessions During the School Year Sept Oct Dec Feb Mar May June 8 - Sacred Heart 4:30pm Mass, 5:30-6:30pm 6 - St. Alphonsus 4:00pm Mass, 5:00-6:00pm 3 St. Mary s 4:30pm-5:30pm, 5:30pm Mass 2 St. Francis 4:00pm Mass, 5:00-6:00pm 2 Sacred Heart 4:30pm Mass, 5:30-6:30pm 4 St. Alphonsus 4:00pm Mass, 5:00-6:00pm 1 St. Mary s 4:30pm-5:30pm, 5:30pm Mass Ending with Summer Program 2019 Weekdays: 8:30am to 12:00 pm Held at: Sacred Heart Church 90 Melrose Road, Auburn, NY Summer Session: August 5-16, : Family of Faith A new option for Faith Formation is our Family of Faith program. It will consist of 1 parent meeting each month and 1 large group gathering of parents and children each month from September through May. Then parents complete two lessons at home with their children. Everything is laid out in easy to follow parent guide books and children activity books. Families who sign up for this program will be contacted in August to plan the year together.

5 9 10 Sacraments Information for students enrolled in St. Joseph School & Tyburn Academy Your participation in the regular and ongoing religious education classes of your school fulfills the requirement of attending a graded program. The preparation for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion takes place in a program that is above and beyond the classes offered in the Catholic Schools. Students in a Catholic School who are seeking to receive the sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion must participate in the additional program. Students in a Catholic School who are seeking the Sacrament of Confirmation: Your school religion classes meet the session requirements for the current year. 8th grade for Year 1 and 9th grade for year 2. If you leave catholic school you must begin attending confirmation sessions. Every person preparing for Confirmation, including those who go to a Catholic School, must attend the orientation, and the pilgrimage/retreat for your particular year. Year 2 candidates in catholic school need to attend the three preparation sessions that teach about the Sacrament itself immediately prior to the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Catholic school students and parents must attend a confirmation orientation session to ensure you are registered, have the current up to date schedule and know the requirements for confirmation. This will also give you an opportunity to ask questions about the formation Process.. Formation for the Sacraments of First Penance & First Communion We offer two dates and times for preparation. They are not parish specific. If needed, you can attend Option A for Penance preparation and Option B for Holy Communion preparation, or vise-versa. The actual Sacraments take place at your home parish. A parent needs to attend all lessons with their child for both Penance and Holy Communion preparation classes. Preparation for First Penance: Option A Saturdays: 8:30-10:00am Held at: Sacred Heart Church 90 Melrose Road, Auburn, NY September 22 - Orientation/Lesson 1 October 13 Lesson 3 November 17 Lesson 5 December 1 Lesson 6 December 8 Retreat at Sacred Heart 9:30am-12pm Preparation for First Penance: Option B Thursdays: 6:30-8:00 pm Held at: St. Joseph School 89 E. Genesee Street, Auburn, NY September 20 - Orientation/Lesson 1 October 11 Lesson 3 November 15 Lesson 5 29 Lesson 6 December 8- Retreat at Sacred Heart 9:30am-12pm Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance Dec 15 3:00pm at Sacred Heart Church Dec 15 1:00pm at Saint Alphonsus Church Dec 15 3:30pm at Saint Mary s Church Dec 15 2:30pm for Saints Mary & Martha at Saint Francis

6 Preparation for First Holy Communion: Option A Saturdays: 8:30-10:00am Held at: Sacred Heart Church 90 Melrose Road, Auburn, NY January 26 - Orientation/Lesson 1 March 2 Lesson 3 March 23 Lesson 5 April 13 Lesson 6 April 27 Retreat Morning 9am-12pm Preparation for First Holy Communion: Option B Thursdays: 6:30-8:00 pm Held at: St. Joseph School 89 E. Genesee Street, Auburn, NY January 24 - Orientation/Lesson 1 February 28 Lesson 3 March 21 Lesson 5 April 11 Lesson 6 April 27 Retreat Morning 9am-12pm Celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion Apr 27 10:00am Practice: Saint Alphonsus Church Apr 28 First Holy Communion Sunday: Saint Alphonsus Church: 10:00am Liturgy Apr 27 Apr 28 May 4 May 5 May 11 May 12 10:00am Practice: Saints Mary & Martha Parish at Saint Francis Church First Holy Communion Sunday: Saints Mary & Martha Parish at Saint Francis Church: 10:00am Liturgy 10:00am Practice: Saints Mary & Martha Parish at Saint Francis Church First Holy Communion Sunday: Saints Mary & Martha Parish at Saint Francis Church: 10:00am Liturgy 10:00am Practice: Sacred Heart Church First Holy Communion Sunday: Sacred Heart Church: 10:30am Liturgy 11 CONFIRMATION While we receive the Holy Spirit in Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation completes our initiation into the church and provides us with a deeper encounter with the Holy Spirit than ever before. It is through Confirmation that we are fully initiated as Disciples of Christ. The Confirmation Program is a two-year program. Year 1 Confirmation will take place during EDGE Youth Ministry. Year 2 Confirmation will take place during EMMAUS Youth Ministry. Confirmation Orientation For both Year 1 and Year 2 Candidate and a parent need to attend 1 of the orientation dates. Held at: Sacred Heart Church September 5, 7-8pm or September 9, pm Confirmation Schedule: Year 1 will take place during EDGE Youth Ministry on Monday evenings! Year 2 will take place during EMMAUS Youth Ministry on Sunday Evenings! Detailed schedule is available online. 12

7 13 14 Catholic Schools Please note: if your child is attending a Catholic school and is wanting to make their First Penance & First Holy Communion, you need to register them for the Sacraments and attend the preparation classes held at either Sacred Heart or Saint Joseph School (see details on pages 8-9). Saint Joseph School Pre-K through 8th Grade Saint Joseph School is in partnership with the Catholic parishes of Auburn, NY, centered upon educating the whole child" physically, mentally, and spiritually. Saint Joseph School is open to all. Students receive Religious Instruction together with classes in English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Physical Education, Music, Chorus, Band, Library, and Spanish. For information, contact the school office at: (315) or visit the school at 89 East Genesee Street, Auburn, NY Tyburn Academy of Mary Immaculate 7th through 12th Grades Tyburn Academy offers a college preparatory curriculum rooted in the classical liberal arts and math & sciences which allows each student to excel at a level supporting his/her academic abilities. We provide a rigorous course of studies where students can experience the joy of learning and the reward of perseverance in their studies. Our classrooms are a familial place where each student is known by his or her peers and teachers. Our ultimate goal is to develop in each student the life abilities for critical thinking, effective communication, academic & social leadership, spiritual growth & self confidence to succeed in their vocations and college & career goals. For information, contact the school secretary: Anita Casper: (315) or visit the school at 17 Clymer Street Auburn, NY CYO BASKETBALL Catholic Youth Organization CYO is a competitive basketball league with teams from Catholic parishes in Auburn and the surrounding area. CYO focuses on promoting good sportsmanship and the development of moral character. Families who register their children for CYO must also have them in either a faith formation program or a Catholic school. For more information contact your parish office.

8 Creating a Safe Environment CASE is an initiative of the Diocese of Rochester to protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults against abuse. All volunteers involved in parish ministries are required to complete a CASE training workshop at least once every three years. Once you complete the workshop, please print out your certificate and quiz results and send them to us. If you are a volunteer for only Faith Formation, contact the Faith Formation Office. If you are a volunteer at your home parish along with a Faith Formation volunteer, contact your home parish. 15 SHARE YOUR FAITH! BE A CATECHIST! YOU ARE NEEDED! Catechists are integral to the success of any faith formation program. A catechist tells the story of our Catholic faith through word and example. The catechist journeys with our youth to a deeper relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! If you want to share faith with our young people, please contact: (315) Thank you! 16 High School students who volunteer in faith formation programs are required to attend a Called to Protect workshop. This is handled by our Director of Faith Formation. Middle school students receive a modified training during their EDGE program. They learn: The youth will appreciate the Church s teaching on human dignity and recognize their own dignity. The youth will understand boundaries they have (physical, emotional & behavioral). The youth will understand the plight of sexual abuse and develop practical methods of protection. The youth will understand that the vast majority of adults care about and want what is best for them In the New Evangelization, the Church calls us to share our faith. As a catechist, you are doing this with those you teach. Let us go forth and open doors. Let us have the audacity to mark out new paths for proclaiming the Gospel. Pope Francis