FAITH FORMATION REGISTRATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM Nativity Faith Formation is a weekly supplemental instruction program in our Catholic faith for youth grades 1-12. We count on our Nativity parents to GET INVOLVED in some way. The Meet and Greet will be WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2014. 4 PILLARS: I. The Profession of Faith II. Celebration of the Christian Mystery III. Life in Christ IV. Christian Prayer Parent Seminars throughout the year! A.P.P. (Awe, Power & Praise) NIGHTS! Held the 1st Wednesday of every month from 6:45-7:30PM. Join us in adoration through worship and song! OCT 1 NOV 5 DEC 3 JAN 7 FEB 4 MAR 4 W.O.W. Grades 6-8 (Wired on Wednesday) Is meant to keep youth connected to the parish family. WOW is an opportunity for youth to gather with friends and talk about how Christ might expect them to respond to their life situations. Putting this into action most definitely means doing service! As disciples of Jesus, we are to take his lead to heart. NATIVITY NIGHTS Nativity Nights includes two hours during which families spend time in their parish home feasting together with a MEAL and focusing on FAMILY SERVICE for one another. Join us in October, March and April! LinC (Life in Christ), Grades 9-12 Is designed to focus on relationships of family, friends and faith. It is not just a night to go to; it is a group to belong to. LinC attempts to bring teens to full, conscious and active participation in the church through ministry, service and living the Gospel. Parent Partnership (Parents and Children Grades 1-5) The role of the parent in passing on the faith is irreplaceable. -Catechism of the Catholic Church For this reason we expect and encourage parents to become part of our team of teachers in the elementary faith formation program. We become learners together as we follow a program that fosters a lifelong relationship with God.
2014-2015 FAITH FORMATION CALENDAR Grades 1-8 (6:30-7:30 PM) Grades 9-12 (7:45-9:00 PM) DATE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCE Sept. 10 Meet and Greet! Nativity Gathering Space/All Welcome! Parents & children grades 1-8 Sept. 17 Session #1 Parent Seminar A WELL-BUILT FAITH : Laying a Firm Foundation Sept. 24 Session #2 Oct. 1 Session #3 APP (Awe, Power and Praise) Oct. 8 Nativity Night Welcome back/ Supper and Service (5:30-7:30 PM) Oct. 15 No class School Break Oct. 22 Session #4 Sacramental Preparation Grade 3 Oct. 29 Session #5 Sacramental Preparation Grade 3 Nov. 5 Session #6 APP (Awe, Power and Praise) Nov. 12 Session #7 Parent Seminar Assembly Line Construction: Human Desire, Revelation and Faith Nov. 19 Session #8 Sacramental Preparation Grade 3 Nov. 26 No class Thanksgiving Break Dec. 3 Session #9 APP (Awe, Power and Praise) Dec. 10 Session #10 Parent Seminar Who s the boss? Scripture and Tradition Dec. 17 Session #11 Dec. 24 No class Christmas Break Dec. 31 No class Christmas Break Jan. 7 Session #12 APP (Awe, Power and Praise) Jan. 14 Session #13 Parent Seminar Using Brand Name Equipment: The Trinity Jan. 21 Session #14 Sacramental Preparation Grade 2 Jan. 28 Session #15 Sacramental Preparation Grade 2 Feb. 4 Session #16 APP (Awe, Power and Praise) Feb. 11 Session #17 Parent Seminar The Bulldozer: Sin, Salvation and the Cross of Jesus Feb. 18 No class Ash Wednesday Mass Feb. 25 No class School Break Mar. 4 Session #18 APP (Awe, Power and Praise) Mar. 11 Session #19 Parent Seminar Union Workers: The Church, Mary, the Saints and Eternity Mar. 18 Session #20 Mar. 25 Nativity Night Lent Event/ Supper and Service (5:30-7:30 PM) Apr. 1 No class Holy Week Apr. 8 Session #21 Sacramental Preparation Grade 3 Apr. 15 Session #22 Sacramental Preparation Grade 3 Apr. 22 Session #23 Sacramental Preparation Grade 3 Apr. 29 Nativity Night Easter Event/End of Year Potluck (5:30-7:30 PM)
FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULES & FEES Faith Formation sessions are held as follows: Grades 1-5 Grades 6-8 (WOW) Grades 9-12 (LinC) Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm Nativity Church and School classrooms Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm Nativity Youth Room Wednesdays 7:45-9:00 pm Nativity Youth Room *Fees are as follows: Faith Formation Fee: $50 (If before Sept. 1: $40) First Reconciliation Preparation Fee: $25 Combined Confirmation & First Eucharist Preparation Fee: $25 *No child/youth will be denied religious education due to financial difficulties. Please contact Kathy Bourdon, Director of Faith Formation, to discuss payment options. kathyb@nativitycatholicchurch.net 232-2414 POLICY & PROCEDURE Arrival/Dismissal: For the safety of the students, extreme caution should be used by all drivers entering the grounds. No unaccompanied child in 1st through 5th grade will be allowed to leave without an adult. All elementary students are to come into the worship space of the church with a parent or guardian and begin the evening with song and prayer. All WOW and LinC students should go directly to the Youth Room. Attendance: Regular attendance is important if your child is to benefit from our program. If your child must miss a class, please notify us prior to class time. A courtesy call will be made following three consecutive absences. Emergency/health matters: In case of emergency, we will try to contact a parent/guardian as soon as possible. We need current and complete information (cell phones and e-mails) on your registration form. Parents/guardians please supply any information necessary to your child s health in the area provided on your registration form as well.
DISCIPLINE POLICY The goal in developing a classroom discipline policy is to have a fair and consistent way in which to deal with all students. In order to ensure a positive learning environment that builds up those involved in the program and tears no one down, the following class rules and procedures are established. Respect: All students are expected to be respectful and courteous toward others. The following behaviors will not be tolerated: Teasing, name calling or making any disparaging remarks. Throwing objects. Inappropriate language. Disrespect for parish property and/or the property of others. Bringing toys, cell phones, food or gum to class, unless directed to do so by a catechist. Unsafe behavior: walk safely and slowly in classrooms and hallways. Fighting of any kind will cause immediate removal from the classroom. Consequences of Discipline Infractions: Verbal Warning: The student will be given a verbal warning that a rule is not being followed. Their behavior is expected to become acceptable or a written warning will be given. Written Warning: If the unacceptable behavior continues, the student will be removed from the classroom. Their parents will be notified with a written notice that is to be signed and returned with the child at the next class. Parent Conferences: If the behavior persists, parents will be called in for a conference with the student, the catechist and the Faith Formation Coordinator. Evening Safety Plan for Youth: SAFETY & WEATHER Classroom doors of the school will be closed and locked from 6:45-7:30 pm. The Youth Room doors will be locked from 6:45-7:30 pm for WOW. The Youth Room doors will be locked from 7:45-9:00 pm for LinC. All adults working with children are required to have a background check. Team catechists and parish staff will wear Nativity Parish name tags. Team catechists take attendance of children/youth in their classroom. All children in grades 1-5 will be picked up by a parent or guardian, or another pre-approved adult, at their classroom door. If there is inclement weather, use discretion. We do not want anyone taking chances with their safety to come to class in bad weather. If Fargo Public Schools are cancelled, evening Faith Formation classes are automatically cancelled. Check out our web site or listen to the TV & radio stations for cancellation up-dates or call the parish office at 232-2414. Check out the church website for weather related announcements. We always try to notify families via e-mail.
CHILDREN S SACRAMENTS Our diocesan guidelines stress that parents who choose to prepare their children for sacraments should become involved in the child s preparation through prayer in the home, regular experiences of Sunday Mass and attendance at parent meetings for each of these sacraments. Baptism of children: If your child has not been baptized, please contact Chris Steffan for further assistance. chriss@nativitycatholicchurch.net 232-2414 ext. 127. First Reconciliation (Penance): Grade 2 Regular attendance and active participation in a faith formation program is required for the reception of First Reconciliation which typically takes place in the second grade and above. Special handouts are given to the family to be completed at home. This is a tremendous bonding time between you and your child. Children and parents preparing for their child s First Reconciliation attend Wednesday evening sessions and a Sunday afternoon parent/child retreat at Nativity Church. The celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation will take place during the Lenten season. Confirmation and First Eucharist: Grade 3 Regular attendance and active participation in a faith formation program is required for the reception of Confirmation and First Eucharist. All third grade children and above preparing to receive Confirmation and First Eucharist must also have been prepared for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Special preparation handouts are given to the family to be completed at home. Wednesday evening sessions and Sunday afternoon parent/child retreats at Nativity Church are scheduled for each sacrament. The celebration of both Sacraments of Confirmation and First Eucharist will take place with the bishop at a special liturgy in the Easter season.