Living as Missinary Disciples 2017/2018 Blessed Trinity Cathlic Church Faith Frmatin ~ Children & Yuth Parent Handbk
Table f Cntents page 1 page 2 page 4 page 5 page 6 page 7 page 8 page 9 Pastral Team Faith Frmatin Cmmissin Parish Office Infrmatin Philsphy Cmpnents Virtus Training Parent Cmmitment Intrductin t Plicies Discipline Plicy Inclement Weather Plicy Parking Lt Safety If Yur Child Misses the Bus Sunday Offering Envelpes Family Ministry Stewardship Class Trips First Sacrament Preparatin First Sacrament Dates Sacraments f Initiatin Inf Recnciliatin Preparatin Sessins Cnfirmatin Preparatin Sessins First Eucharist Preparatin Sessins Children s Ministry Catechesis f the Gd Shepherd Class Dates Christian Service Student Activity Other Student Activities Yuth Ministry
Pastral Team Rev. Rbert Byrne Pastr Karen Smith - Pastral Minister Carl Fx - Directr f Religius Educatin Kathryn Cramer - Directr f Yuth Ministry Alissa Hetzner Directr f Music & Liturgy Lri Snyder Parish Secretary Carl Maurer - Parish Bkkeeper Frederick Fitch Directr f Maintenance Faith Frmatin Cmmissin Members Kathryn Cramer (chairpersn), Carl Fx, Karen Smith, Sctt Smck, David Harris, Ann Fitch, Jeanne Wilhelmi, Brandn Maurer and Keith Martus Parish Cntact Infrmatin Parish Office Telephne Number - 989-652-3259 Parish Fax Number - 989-652-2206 Parish Web Site: www.blessedtrinityfrankenmuth.rg Parish Email lsnyder@blessedtrinityfrankenmuth.rg Carl Fx Email cfx@blessedtrinityfrankenmuth.rg Kathryn Cramer Email kcramer@blessedtrinityfrankenmuth.rg Karen Smith Email ksmith@blessedtrinityfrankenmuth.rg Parish Office Hurs: Mnday thrugh Friday - 9:00 a.m. t 5:00 p.m. (When the ffice is nt pen, please use the vicemail system.) 1
Philsphy Blessed Trinity Parish Faith Frmatin Exists T: fster persnal and spiritual grwth draw all peple t respnsible participatin in their faith cmmunity and in the wrld empwer individuals and families t becme living disciples and witnesses t Jesus Christ enable all parishiners t live, minister, share and serve assist parent/s r legal guardians t fulfill their rle and assume their rights as the primary religius educatrs f their children help the whle parish cmmunity nurture and supprt all family cnfiguratins (single, single parents, dual parent, legal guardians, adults with/withut children) Catechesis is essential fr develping a persnal relatinship with Jesus as the fundatin fr discipleship. "At the heart f catechesis we find, in essence, a Persn, the Persn f Jesus f Nazareth...T catechize is t reveal in the Persn f Christ the whle f Gd's eternal design reaching fulfillment in that Persn...Catechesis aims at putting peple in cmmunin with Jesus Christ..." (Catechism f the Cathlic Church #426) Cmpnents The fllwing ministerial cmpnents are ffered: Catechesis -- educatinal & sacramental prgrams and prcesses fr all ages Stewardship -- pprtunities fr all ages Evangelizatin -- retreats, days r times f prayer and reflectin, etc. Cmmunity Life -- pprtunities t build cmmunity thrugh gatherings and scial times Advcacy -- making the needs f the individual members f the cmmunity knwn in rder that ur prgramming respnds t perceived needs Pastral Care -- supprting individuals and families thrugh persnal difficulty, transitins and spiritual grwth Leadership Develpment -- empwering individuals and families t minister t ne anther by prviding prper training pprtunities Wrship & Prayer-- prviding prayer pprtunities within a variety f settings Virtus Training (Educatin fr all Dicesan and Parish emplyees and all vlunteers wh have regular cntact with children/yuth) In the Dicese f Saginaw, the VIRTUS Prgram, Prtecting Gd s Children, has been implemented since Octber, 2003, and ver 3,400 f ur dicesan and parish emplyees and vlunteers have participated in this three-hur prgram. In additin, VIRTUS prvides mnthly n-line bulletins n prtecting children as a fllw-up t participants. Whenever this prgram is held in yur parish/chrt, r at the Center fr Ministry, yu are welcme t attend. 2
Parent Cmmitment Parents make the cmmitment at the time f their child's Baptism t be respnsible fr the develpment f the faith life f their child. It is nly thrugh cllabratin with parents that we can achieve ur purpse and gals -- that being -- t assist parents in fulfilling their respnsibility. Parish faith frmatin is the mutual effrt f the parish and the family system. Parents/legal guardians are expected t supprt the faith develpment f their children and teens by: participating in Mass every weekend encuraging their child's faith life at hme making attendance at religius educatin sessins and yuth activities a pririty in family calendar planning cntributing t the parish thrugh Stewardship cmmitment f time, talent and treasure t the extent that yu are cnscientiusly able Intrductin t Plicies Absences fr Children/Yuth ~ if children r yuth are unable t attend a scheduled frmatin sessin, please call the parish ffice t infrm us. Early Release f Students ~ parents are required t cme t the religius educatin ffice and request release f yur child if he/she must be dismissed early frm class. Discipline Plicy In the educatin/frmatin setting, the atmsphere is ne f lve and respect fr thers as well as self-interdependence within the cmmunity, and a jy f sharing with thers fr the gd f all. The purpse f discipline is t help students mve frm external cntrl by an adult t inner selfdirectin. Discipline is psitive; that is, its fcus is n "d" rather than "dn't". Students are led t anticipate the cnsequences f their behavir. In the event the abve-mentined atmsphere is repeatedly vilated, the fllwing assertive discipline plicy takes effect: The student's teacher is primarily respnsible fr discipline in the classrm with the expected cperatin f each student. Any student wh cntinues t be disruptive, and des nt cperate with the teacher will be sent t the religius educatin directr. If a student is sent a secnd time t the directr within a span f six weeks parents will be infrmed by the directr f the discipline prblem. If a student is sent t the directr fr a third time the parent must accmpany the child fr ne subsequent class sessin befre the child will be re-admitted int the prgram. Misbehavir which may result in disciplinary actin includes: persistent disbedience f rules and plicies in the classrm destructin r vandalism f any church prperty verbal r physical prvcatin f a fight use f ffensive language taking anything that des nt belng t the student pen defiance r disrespect f any staff member pssessin, selling and/r use f illegal drugs, alchl, cigarettes 3
Inclement Weather Plicy Clsing f the parish ffices and/r cancellatin f faith frmatin sessins/activities due t bad weather will be based upn cancellatin f schl in the Frankenmuth Schl District. If Frankenmuth schls are clsed fr the day, then ur ffices are clsed and ur faith frmatin activities will als be canceled fr the day/evening. If schl is in sessin and weather cnditins wrsen thrughut the day, ur evening classes/activities will be canceled if Frankenmuth Schl District evening activities are cancelled. Parking Lt Safety T ensure the safety f ur students, please park in the designated parking areas nly. D nt stp alng the building and wait fr yur child; a car parked alng this area limits visibility and is hazardus. Parents f grades ne and tw students are especially encuraged t cme int the building and pick yur child up at his/her classrm. If Yur Child Misses the Bus If a student misses the bus, they shuld reprt t the schl ffice immediately. Schl ffice persnnel will call the child s parent. Sunday Offering Envelpes fr Children Sunday Offering Envelpes fr children are available fr parents t pick up in the classrm wing. Family Ministry (preschl - grade 12 students and parents): Virtus Sessin (Dicesan Child Prtectin Prgram) at Center fr Ministry, Saginaw with Sr. Janet Fulgenzi, OP (call the Faith Frmatin Office fr dates) Octber 7 Blessing f Pets at 10:00 11 a.m. in parish parking lt Nvember 21 Advent Family Night at 7:00 p.m. (make Advent wreaths, prayer service and refreshments) Faith Activities fr Families at 12:00 nn 1:00 p.m. n Sundays TBA Stewardship Class Trips December 6 grades 5 & 6 visit Medildge February 13 grade 3 visits Medildge March 7 grade 5 helps at Saginaw Rescue Missin March 14 grade 4 visits Medildge March 21 grade 6 helps at East Side Sup Kitchen 4
First Sacrament Preparatin Expectatins f families requesting sacramental preparatin: Families are registered members f Blessed Trinity Parish Families attend weekend Mass at Blessed Trinity Parish n a regular basis Children f catechetical age must be at least in grade tw and must have attended a religius educatin prgram r Cathlic schl the year prir t requesting sacramental preparatin First Sacrament Dates 2017/2018 Rite f Enrllment Grade Tw and Older Candidates n Octber 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Mass First Recnciliatin Prayer Service Grade Tw and parents/family n December 9, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. (scial fllwing service) Cnfirmatin with Bishp Cistne Grade Tw and Older Candidates Reginal Cnfirmatin TBA First Eucharist Grade Tw n May 5 & 6, 2018 at 5:00 p.m. r 11:00 a.m. Mass (grup picture and scial n May 6 at 12:00 nn) Sacraments f Initiatin Preparatin Sessin with Sacrament Banner Cnstructin and Placement in Church (This event is held n the same day as the Rite f Enrllment) Parent/Child Preparatin Sessin fr the Sacraments f Initiatin (bth parents shuld attend if pssible, but at least ne is required and child) ~ Octber 8, 2017 at 3:00 4:00 p.m. prayer serve fr parents and children fllwed by parent sessin with Fr. Bb Byrne; child sessin with Mrs. Carl Fx (childcare is prvided frm 3:00 4:00 p.m.); whle family sacrament banner cnstructin at 4:00 5:00 p.m. in scial hall fllwed by banner placement in church. Recnciliatin Preparatin Sessins (required) Parent/Child Preparatin Sessin fr First Recnciliatin (bth parents shuld attend if pssible, but at least ne is required and child) Sessin I: Nvember 5, 2017 at 3:00 4:30 p.m. - prayer service fr parents and children fllwed by parent sessin with Fr. Bb Byrne; child sessin with Mrs. Carl Fx (childcare is prvided) Sessin II: Parents (nly) Preparatin Sessin fr Hme Lessns (bth parents shuld attend if pssible, but at least ne is required) - Nvember 9, 2017 at 7:00 8:00 p.m. OR Nvember 10, 2017 at 11:00 12:00 p.m. 5
Cnfirmatin Preparatin Sessins (required) Sessin I ~ Parent/Child Preparatin Sessin fr Cnfirmatin (bth parents shuld attend if pssible, but at least ne is required and child) ~ January 21, 2018 at 3:00 4:30 p.m. - prayer service fr parents and children fllwed by parent sessin with Fr. Bb Byrne; child sessin with Mrs. Carl Fx (childcare is prvided) Sessin II ~ Parents (nly) Preparatin Sessin fr Hme Lessns (bth parents shuld attend if pssible, but at least ne is required) ~ January 25, 2018 at 7:00 8:00 p.m. OR January 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. 12:00 nn First Eucharist Preparatin Sessins (required) Sessin I ~ Parent/Child Preparatin Sessin fr First Eucharist (bth parents shuld attend if pssible, but at least ne is required and child) ~ March 18, 2018 at 3:00 4:30 p.m. with Fr. Bb and Mrs. Fx (childcare prvided) Sessin II ~ First Eucharist Rehearsal n May 5, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. all students and at least ne parent must attend Children s Ministry Parish, family and catechists make up the indispensable we that cnstitutes the cmmunity f faith at Blessed Trinity Church. Our faith frmatin prgram seeks t strengthen the partnership f hme, parish cmmunity and catechesis. Here, the faith, which has been caught at hme and in the parish, is taught. Even thugh the taught aspect f faith frmatin is ur primary cncern, every effrt will be made t link the children s learning activities with ur parish s ministries and the cncept f stewardship. Catechesis f the Gd Shepherd Blessed Trinity ffers an additinal prgram f religius frmatin fr pre/k children, ages 3, 4, and 5 called the Catechesis f the Gd Shepherd. This is a Mntessri-based set f activities in a space called the Atrium. Within the Atrium, the child has the pprtunity t develp a persnal relatinship with Gd thrugh an intrductin t Scripture narratives and the Liturgical traditins f the Cathlic Church. Registratin frms are available in the Faith Frmatin Office. Fr mre nline infrmatin, please visit: www.cgsusa.rg. Sessins fr 2017/2018 will begin Octber 3, 6, & 7: Tuesdays at 12:00 nn 2:00 p.m. Fridays at 12:00 nn 2:00 p.m. Saturdays at 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. 6
Children s Liturgy f the Wrd (fr grades 1-4) Sessins are held n Sundays during the 11:00 a.m. Liturgy September 24 January 14, 21, 28 Octber 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 February 4, 11, 18, 25 Nvember 5, 12, 19, 26 March 4, 11, 18 December 3, 10, 17 April 8, 15, 22, 29 Faith fr Threes, Faith fr Furs and Kindergarten Sessins are held n Sundays during the 11:00 a.m. Liturgy September 24 January 14, 21, 28 Octber 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 February 4, 11, 18, 25 Nvember 5, 12, 19 March 4, 11, 18 December 3, 10, 17 April 8, 15, 22, 29 Grade 1 and Grade 2 Sessins are held n Thursdays frm 3:00 4:30 p.m. September 28 January 4, 11, 18 Octber 5, 12, 19, 26 February 1, 8, 15, 22 Nvember 2, 9, 16, 30 March 1, 8, 15, 22 December 7, 14 April 5, 12, 19, 26 Grade 3 and Grade 4 Sessins are held n Tuesdays frm 3:00 4:30 p.m. September 26 January 9, 16, 23, 30 Octber 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 February 6, 13, 20, 27 Nvember 7, 14, 28 March 6, 13, 20 December 5, 12, 19 April 3, 10, 17, 24 Grade 5 and Grade 6 Sessins are held n Wednesdays frm 3:00 4:30 p.m. September 27 January 3, 10, 17, 24 Octber 4, 11, 18, 25 February 7, 14, 21, 28 Nvember 1, 8, 15, 29 March 7, 14, 21 December 6, 13, 20 April 4, 11, 18, 25 Grade 7 and Grade 8 Sessins are held n Sundays frm 6:30 8:00 p.m. with high schl yuth and Mrs. Cramer watch bulletin fr scheduled gatherings. 7
Christian Service Student Activity Students will send cards and write letters in supprt f ur military trps, the sick and the hmebund Students cllect items fr Emmaus Huse Fall Students supprt a child in Guatemala all year Students supprt Lukulu Prject Bay City Missin Grup Spring Students are als encuraged t supprt the stewardship activities f the parish as annunced by the Christian Service Cmmissin thrughut the year Other Student Activities September/Octber grades 4, 5 & 6 Altar Server Training Octber 17 grades 3 & 4 Fire Drill Octber 18 grades 5 & 6 Fire Drill Octber 19 grades 1 & 2 Fire Drill Octber 10 grades 3 & 4 Rsary Prayer Service Octber 11 grades 5 & 6 Rsary Prayer Service Octber 12 grades 1 & 2 Rsary Prayer Service Nvember 21 Advent Family Night 2017 at 7:00 p.m. December 5 grades 3 & 4 St. Nichlas Prayer Service December 7 grades 1 & 2 St. Nichlas Prayer Service December 20 grades 5 & 6 Jesse Tree Prayer Service January 7 grades Pre/K 6 Epiphany Pageant/Vcal Chir at 11:00 a.m. Mass (reprt at 10:00 a.m.) March 20 grades 3 & 4 trnad drill March 21 grades 5 & 6 trnad drill March 22 grades 1 & 2 trnad drill April 24 grades 3 & 4 Prayer Service & Ice Cream Scial April 25 grades 5 & 6 Prayer Service & Ice Cream Scial April 26 grades 1 & 2 Prayer Service & Ice Cream Scial July 23-26 Vacatin Bible Schl at Blessed Trinity Cathlic Church frm 6:00 8:15 each evening 8
Yuth Ministry (Junir High and High Schl) A key in wrking with yung adlescents is variety creating variety in prgramming, scheduling, cntent, frmats, settings, and leaders. It is ur hpe that with the wide variety f educatin and frmatin pprtunities ffered, all yuth will find participatin accessible and cnvenient as well as an invaluable experience in which t develp int mature Cathlic Christians. Yuth Ministry Activities fr grades 6-12 yuth include: September, Octber, Nvember & December Leader s Gathering Represent Yuth Ministry at Catechetical Sunday ~ September 17 Tailgate/Kick-ff fr Yuth Ministry Gatherings ~ September 24 Grup Gatherings ~ Octber 1, 8 & 22 Harvest Dance Set-up ~ Octber 25 Harvest Dance ~ Octber 26 Crn Maze ~ Octber 29 Rake n Run Cmmunity Service ~ Nvember 5 Grup Gathering ~ Nvember 12 Natinal Cathlic Yuth Cnference ~ Nvember 16-19 Mass at St. Mary s Cathedral and Dinner ~ December 3 Grup Gathering/Mustard Seed Cllectin ~ December 10 Visit Mustard Seed Shelter ~ December 21 January, February, March & April Yuth Ministry Leaders Meet ~ January 14 Right t Life Event ~ January 21 Visit Independence Village ~ February 4 Lenten Event ~ February 11 Girls Night In with High Schl Yuth Mentr ~ February 18 Guys Night Out with High Schl Yuth Mentr ~ February 18 Grup Gatherings ~ March 4, 11, & 18 Passin Play Weekend ~ March 24 & 25 Grup Gatherings ~ April 8 & 15 Cardbard City ~ April 21 & 22 May, June, July & August Grup Gathering Prayer Night ~ May 6 Grup Gathering/Senir Send Off ~ May 13 Baccalaureate Sunday ~ May 20 Mackinac Island Retreat Cedar Pint Trip Yuth Encunter Service (YES) Camp Service Retreat Vacatin Bible Schl Mvie Night Cane Trip Outdr Mass 9