St. Mary Parish Kenosha, WI 2018-2019 Handbook
2 St. Mary Parish Faith Formation Program 9 th and 10 th Grade Pastor Fr. Roman Stikel (262) 694-6018 Director of Youth Ministry Corinne Dillon (262) 925-4157 corinned@stmarycatholic.org Administrative Assistant Sandy Schwalbe (262) 925-4150 sschwalbe@stmarycatholic.org Mailing Address 7307 40 th Avenue Kenosha WI 53142 2
3 Welcome to the High School Faith Formation Program for St. Mary Parish In this booklet, you will find a brief description of the faith formation program at St. Mary Parish, year by year grade requirements, class descriptions, ideas for service hours, and much more! For your convenience, this booklet can also be found on our parish website at www.stmarycatholic.org. Welcome to St. Mary Parish High School Faith Formation! Program Description Purpose: to engage the High School Students who are enrolled in the three-year Confirmation program in the process of learning about their faith through conversation to Jesus Christ that enables them to become disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit. Process: following the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to study Creed (11 th Grade only), Sacrament, Morality and Prayer, courses will be offered so that the students choose the subjects learned along with other opportunities to walk their faith within a community. Having the students choose their direction of study and engagement will allow them to take ownership of their faith which will lead to discipleship. The program will be flexible in order to allow them to not have to make choices with other activities but to make their faith a part of their lives. 3
Policies and Procedures 4 Scheduled Classes: Classes follow the 10:30am Mass on Sundays from 11:45am 1:15pm. Students are encouraged to attend the 10:30am Mass prior to the session start time or go directly to Bell Hall, for classes to begin promptly at 11:45am. See page 11 for class offerings. Materials: Students are expected to come to classes prepared, by bringing their Bible, Handbook, folder and pencil/pen to class each week. Bibles are given in 6th grade and handbooks are given in 9th and are to be used throughout the high school program. If the student has not brought their books for 2 weeks in a row, the student will be asked to repurchase their books. Discipline: The Parish site requires and expects youth to conduct themselves as God would expect them to. It is important to work together for the common good in creating an effective learning environment. The behavioral guidelines are based on three assumptions: All students have the right to learn. The catechists have a responsibility to teach. All youth have the responsibility to engage in behavior that is in the best interest of themselves, their peers, the catechist and the session. If a youth repeatedly forgets class materials, disrupts class, engages in inappropriate or offensive behavior, uses obscene language, the following disciplinary guidelines will apply: 1 st and 2 nd Offense: The child/youth will be corrected by the Catechists. This will be documented by the Catechists. 3 rd Offense: The Director will call the parent(s) for a consultation. 4 th Offense: The Director will immediately send the youth home with the parent. The parent will be asked to attend classes in order to remain in the class for the year. The youth and parent(s) will have a consultation with the Director before returning to the program. Note: Any student found with drugs or alcohol or shows signs of their use will be dismissed from program sessions and events. His/her parents/guardians will be notified immediately to pick the student up. 4
5 Attendance: Attendance to all classes is mandatory. All Religious Education classes must be attended, with serious family difficulties being the only exception. Exceptions should be discussed with the Director. No other activities - sports or leisure - should be viewed as more important. Youth learn their priorities from the example of adults. If your student is involved in sports throughout the year, please keep their schedules in mind while making your class selection. Program Event Fees: One half of the total program fee is due upon registration, with the balance due by February of the following year. Special event fees are due upon registration. Families with special financial circumstances or needs should contact the Director. All students will have access to our faith formation program. Permission Slip Policy: A yearly General Permission Slip will be filled out to cover any event for the year. If the event is off church property, the child is required to have a permission slip to attend. General Permission Slip forms can be downloaded from our church website at www.stmarycatholic.org. Group Individual Pictures and Release of Phone Numbers: Throughout the program year, photographs of the youth participating in various events may be taken. Some of these photographs may be used in the bulletin, on fliers or bulletin boards, parish website, or other media, etc. In addition, requests from St. Mary committee chairpersons or other volunteer coordinators are received for the names and phone numbers of children, youth, and families to help in many parish programs and/or events. Please date and sign the release for such information on the registration form. 5
6 Weather Cancellation: On Sundays when the weather is not safe for traveling, families will be informed via e-mail and a ROBO call. When possible, a decision to cancel classes due to inclement weather will be made by 5:00pm the Saturday evening prior to classes. If classes are cancelled, makeup classes will be scheduled. You must always use your best judgment. In the event that classes are not cancelled and you feel it is not safe, please call the Director of Youth Ministry to inform her that your student will not be at class. Your safety and the safety of our youth is always our primary concern. Open Door Visitor Policy: Parents are invited to visit their son s/daughter s class at their convenience. If you wish to sit-in on a class, please let the catechist know prior to the beginning of that class. Catechists and volunteers are responsible only for registered youth. Visitors, other than parents, can attend the class session only with advance permission of the catechist. Mass Attendance: Teens are required to attend Mass each weekend with their family and participate in the Liturgy through song, prayer, and Eucharist. By attending and participating as a family in the Eucharistic celebration, parents help guide their Electronic Devices: Upon arriving on the building s grounds for any activity, whether it is regular religious education class, retreats, or other youth activities, cell phones are not permitted. 6
7 Service Project Hours: Specific service hours can be in the categories of Family, Church, and Community. All service hours will be accepted from June 2018 - May 2019 to be applied to the student s current formation year. Parents should help their teens to keep a record of their service hours, using the attached Personal Requirements Worksheet in the center of this booklet. Service hours can be recorded using an Individual Service Project Form. This form can be found on our parish website (www.stmarycatholic.org) under Christian Formation/Youth Ministry Grades 9 12. Forms must be filled out completely and turned in to the Faith Formation office or turned in to the student s catechist. Without the Individual Service Project Sheet, the teen will not be logged for the hours they have completed. The sheet must be turned in within two weeks of the service. Each year, ten hours of service are required. Parent Service: This is a large program and is only as good as the volunteers it takes to run the program. Please help when you can. There are plenty of opportunities. If you have questions, please contact the Director of Youth Ministry. NOTES: 7
Sacraments 8 Confirmation: The Confirmation program at St. Mary Parish, is a three-year program that begins in grade 9. This program is for those already attending the religious education program at St. Mary Parish and those attending 11th grade at a Parochial School. If your student has not been in the program for the required time, please contact the Director. Parents/sponsors play a vital role in preparing their students for this sacrament by first attending the necessary sacramental preparation meetings. First Reconciliation and Holy Communion: If a youth in the program has not received the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and Holy Communion, please contact the Director of Youth Ministry and arrangements will be made to prepare them for the sacraments. RCIA for Children and Youth There is a special program for youth or children over the age of 7, who are not baptized. This program parallels the adult program of RCIA but is geared toward the learning capacity of a child or youth. Participation in the parish's regular Faith Formation program is required. If a child/youth has been baptized in another faith tradition or baptized Catholic without any faith formation, special arrangements through the Director of Youth Ministry should be made. NOTES: 8
9 Requirements for 9 th and 10 th Grade Student must attend FOUR SESSIONS per year One Session is made up of three consecutive (Sunday) week classes, with the exception of Interim Sessions, where one 4 1/2 hour class is offered. SIX SESSIONS are offered from October through April. Attendance to all classes (three consecutive weeks) of the Session that you signed up for is mandatory. Class sessions meet from 11:45am until 1:15pm. Must take at least one session on each core subject of Prayer, Sacraments and Morality, during 9 th or 10 th grade. Remaining class sessions will be elective type classes supplemental to the core subjects. See Class Offerings beginning on page 11 for course descriptions. Service project or projects that add up to at least 10 hours per year (examples below) Family Service determined by parent/guardian. Student should be helping with a project that is not normally a chore or responsibility to them. Helping an extended family member would be categorized as family service. Helping in nursing homes and children s programs are two examples. Church Service helping with the parish community such as working at the festivals, singing in the choir, altar serving, giving circle, etc. Community Service working in the community with a charitable organization. For example, the Shalom center, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, Soup Kitchen, Special Olympics. Note: Hours used for personal fundraising (school or club sport volunteering) may not be used. 9
10 Day of Reflection (one per year) Several Archdiocese Mandatory Requirements as stated on the Events Schedule Youth Option (one per year examples below) Outdoor Retreat September 23, 2018 Holy Hill Youth Rally October 6, 2018 Movie and Discussion December 2, 2018 Net Retreat January 19, 2019 24 Hour Fast March 8-9, 2019 Stations of the Cross March 15 and 17, 2019 See St. Mary Youth Ministry section on pages 20 and 21 for more opportunities. NOTES: 10
11 2018-2019 Class Offerings Classes will be open for sign ups two weeks prior to first date of class. Email will be sent. Fall Session #1 October 7th, 14th and 21st, 2018 Minimum class size will be 8 students. Maximum class size will be 15. Please select only one of the following eight Subjects Sacraments Core Subject Morality Core Subject Evil what is it? We talk about evil, the devil and bad things in the world. Does evil exist, is the devil real and how do I remain good amid it all? Why Believe Our world tells us that there is no need for God, or that we have no need for the saving love of Jesus. Let s talk about your doubt and discuss what we believe. Social Justice Do you want to do more than just a service project? Explore what Social Justice is. Design and implement a project that will make a difference. The Bible The Bible is God s Word. Learn how to read and apply what God is trying to tell us. The Mass The Mass is the most important prayer of our Catholic lives. It is said that during the Mass heaven meets earth. Explore how the mass is not boring and how to immerse yourself into the beauty of the Mass. 11
12 9 th and 10 th Grade Personal Requirement Worksheet Student Name: Requirement Class Name Date Taken Prayer Prayer Core Subject Sacrament Sacrament Core Subject Morality Morality Core Subject Elective One Elective Two Elective Three Elective Four Elective Five RETREAT and YOUTH OPTION Worksheet 12
13 Requirement Retreat Location Date Retreat Attended Yearly Day of Reflection 9 th Grade Yearly Day of Reflection 10 th Grade Youth Option 9 th Grade Youth Option 10 th Grade Requirement Service Hours Ten Service Hours 9 th Grade Ten Service Hours 10 th Grade Service Hours Worksheet Notes: 13
14 Fall Session #2 November 4th, 11th and 18th, 2018 Minimum class size will be 8 students. Maximum class size will be 15. Please select only one of the following eight Subjects Prayer Core Subject Sacraments Core Subject Faith and Science Science tells us that there is no God, and it tells us creation is not from God. Our Catholic faith tells us that God is a living God and is real. What is true and what should I believe? Conversation with Father Roman There may be a lot of issues that you would like to talk about The world seems to tell us one thing and our faith tells us another. What is right, and how do we live in the world with all these issues? Women in the Church It seems that women do not play a big role in our church. Explore how women have helped to lead and form the church throughout the ages. Going Deeper into Prayer We have so little time and so many things to do. How do I make time for God through prayer? Sacramentals and Saints We use signs, symbols, and people to remind us who we are and what God wants from us. Explore the signs of our faith, the people who have lived their lives according to God s will, and how this can encourage us in our faith lives. Honoring Life: We look at the world in which we live, and it seems that the life of a person is not valuable. Look at the beauty created in each of us and why God wants us to honor the life he created. 14
15 Late Fall Interim Session #3 December 2, 2018 2:00pm 6:30pm Minimum class size will be 8 students. Maximum class size will be 30. There is only one selection in this Interim Movie Day with Discussion Snack will be provided. Winter Interim Session #4 January 6, 2019 11:45am 4:15pm Minimum class size will be 8 students. Maximum class size will be 20. Please select only one of the following two Subjects in this Interim Sacraments Core Subject Lunch will be served. Morality Core Subject Lunch will be served. NOTES: 15
Winter Session #5 January 20th, 27th and February 3rd, 2019 Minimum class size will be 8 students. Maximum class size will be 15. Please select only one of the following eight Subjects 16 Prayer Core Subject Sacraments Core Subject Faith and Science Science tells us that there is no God, it tells us creation is not from God. Our Catholic faith tells us that God is a living God and is real. What is true and what should I believe? We Believe Our world tells us that there is no need for God, or that we have no need for the saving love of Jesus. Let s talk about your doubt and discuss what we believe. Women and the Church It seems that women do not play a big role in our church. Explore how women have helped to lead and form the church throughout the ages. The Bible The Bible is God s Word. Learn how to read and apply what God is trying to tell us. The Mass The Mass is the most important prayer of our Catholic lives. It is said that during the Mass heaven meets earth. Explore how the mass is not boring and how to immerse yourself into the beauty of the Mass. Honoring Family Thou shall honor thy Father and Mother. This is the Fourth Commandment. Look into this commandment and discover what it really means. 16
17 Spring Session #6 March 24th, 31st and April 7th, 2019 Minimum class size will be 8 students. Maximum class size will be 15. Please select only one of the following eight Subjects Sacraments Core Subject Morality Core Subject Evil What is it? We talk about evil, the devil and bad things in the world. Does evil exist, is the devil real and how do I remain good in the midst of it? Conversation with Father Roman There may be a lot of issues that you would like to talk about The world seems to tell us one thing and our faith tells us another. What is right, and how do we live in the world with all these issues? Social Justice Do you want to do more than just a service project? Explore what Social Justice is. Design and implement a project that will make a difference. Going Deeper into Prayer We have so little time and so many things to do. How do I make time for God through prayer? Sacramentals and Saints We use signs, symbols and people to remind us who we are and what God wants from us. Explore the signs of our faith, the people who have lived their lives according to God s will, and how this can encourage us in our faith lives. Honoring Life We look at the world in which we live, and it seems that the life of a person is not valuable. Look at the beauty created in each of us and why God wants us to honor the life He created. 17
18 Sunday 9/9/18 SEPTEMBER 9 th and 10th Grade Parent Meeting Bell Hall 11:45am Sunday 10/7/18 OCTOBER Faith Formation Opening Mass 10:30am - Church Class one of Fall Session #1 11:45am 1:15pm Check Bell Hall for assigned classrooms Sunday 10/14/18 Class two of Fall Session #1 11:45am 1:15pm Check Bell Hall for assigned classrooms Sunday 10/21/18 Class three of Fall Session #1 11:45am 1:15pm Bell Hall NOVEMBER Sunday 11/4/18 Class one of Fall Session #2 11:45am 1:15pm Bell Hall Sunday 11/11/18 Class two of Fall Session #2 11:45am 1:15pm - Bell Hall Sunday 11/18/18 Class three of Fall Session #2 11:45am 1:15pm - Bell Hall Sunday 12/2/18 DECEMBER Fall Interim Session #3 2:00pm 6:30pm Movie Day with Discussion. Lunch provided. 9 th and 10 th Grade Events Schedule 18 Sunday 1/20/19 JANUARY Winter Interim Session #4 11:45am 4:15pm. Class one of Winter Session #5 11:45 1:15pm Bell Hall Sunday 1/27/19 Class two of Winter Session #5 11:45 1:15pm Bell Hall FEBRUARY Sunday 2/3/19 Class three of Winter Session #5 11:45am 1:15pm Bell Hall Saturday 2/23/19 Day of Reflection - Paul J. Kim Mandatory all High School Students 9:00am 6:00pm - Lunch/Snack included - Bell Hall Sunday 3/3/19 MARCH Social Issue Study - Sex Trafficking (MANDATORY) - 11:45am 1:00pm Parents encouraged to attend. Bell Hall Sunday 3/17/19 Shadow Stations (MANDATORY) for all High School students 7:00pm Church Sunday 3/24/19 Class one of Late Winter Session #6 11:45am 1:15pm - Bell Hall Sunday 3/31/19 Class two of Late Winter Session #6 11:45 1:15pm Bell Hall APRIL Sunday 4/7/19 Faith Formation Closing Mass 10:30am Church Class three of Late Winter Session #6 11:45am 1:15pm Bell Hall
St. Mary s Youth Ministry 19 Working with Kenosha Catholic Youth Ministry (For Grades 6-12) Is a collaborative effort for and with the youth of the Kenosha Catholic parishes and schools to provide opportunities for spiritual growth, leadership, discipleship and service, and leadership. Vision Our hope is to foster Christian discipleship and leadership among teens inviting them into closer relationships with Jesus Christ and His church, through fellowship, service, prayer and worship, catechetical enrichment, personal and spiritual growth. This program and its events are designed to enhance and expand upon the Religious Education programs already offered within the parishes and schools. 19
Activities and Meetings for 2018 20 Second Tuesday of Each Month - Soup Kitchen. Call or email Corinne to sign up. August 12, 2018 - Summer Trips in Review at St. Peter 5:00pm 8:30pm. September 23, 2018 - Outdoor Retreat St. Mary 10:30am Drop off for Mass. Pick up 4:30pm at Petrified Springs. October 6, 2018 - Holy Hill Youth Rally at St. Mary 7:30am - 7:00pm. Register by October 1, 2018. $10:00. November 3, 2018 - St. Mary Service Day. St Francis Room - 12:00pm - 6:00pm Mass included. December 2, 2018 - Movie day with discussion. 2:00pm - 6:30pm Meet in St. Mary s Church. December 14, 2018 - Giving Circle and Pizza Night. Bell Hall 4:00pm - 7:00pm. December 15, 2018 - Giving Circle St. Mary - Bell Hall 9:00am 11:00am. December 16, 2018 - Giving Circle St. Mary - Bell Hall 9:00am 1:00pm. 20
Activities and Meetings for 2019 21 January 19, 2019 - Net Retreat High School - St. Mary - Bell Hall 10:00am - 6:00pm. January 20, 2019 - Net Retreat Junior High - St. Mary - Bell Hall 10:30am - 3:30pm. February 8-10, 2019 - Winter Xtreme Timber-lee. Need to commit by Friday, December 22, 2018. $146. March 8-9, 2019-24 Hour Fast at St. Mary St. Francis Room 6:00pm (3/8) 7:00pm (3/9). Register by Sunday, February 24, 2019. March 15 and 17, 2019 - Stations of the Cross at St. Mary - Church 7:00pm. Practice dates and times to be announced. April 18, 2019 - Holy Thursday Mass, Adoration and Ice cream St. Mary Church 7:00pm 10:30pm. May Event - TBA 21
22 Soup Kitchen The 2 nd Tuesday of each Month all year. Call or Email Corinne to sign up. 22
23 Summer Trips June 22-29, 2019 - High School Mission Brooklyn, NY July 7-12, 2019 - Mix Group Mission Trip Nashville, TN July 19-21, 2019 - Steubenville Conference (Grades 8-12) Steubenville on the Lake. Kenosha, WI 23
24 Avoid profane and silly myths. Train yourself for devotion, for, while physical training is of limited value, devotion is valuable in every respect, since it holds a promise of life both for the present and for the future. 24