Faith Formation Office: Sabrina (Coordinator) : 608-868-3334 sabrinae@centurytel.net Cathy (Assistant) 608-868-3336 cathyc@centurytel.net Absentee Mailbox: 608-868-3336
Table of Contents Program Intro 3 Parent Responsibilities 4 Child Care 4 Preschool 5 Elementary 5 Calendar 5 Policies and Procedures 6 Middle and High School 7 Policies and Procedures 7 Calendar 8 Sacraments Baptism 9 First Reconciliation 9 First Communion 9 Confirmation 9 Contact People 10 2
Fr. Dave Timmerman is the new pastor of St. Mary, Milton where he lives up the hill with his golden retriever named Lilly. Fr. Dave is also a movie critic, loves to travel and his favorite animal is a moose. This summer, St. Mary and St. Joseph (Edgerton) churches became linked by Bishop Morlino...which means that we are two parishes who share a priest. Fr. Dave s office hours at St. Mary are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. New to the parish? Ways for your family to learn more about St. Mary Faith Formation... Schedule a visit. Contact the Faith Formation office at (608) 868-3334 or by email at sabrinae@centurytel.net. Schedule a shadowing visit. This shadowing experience matches your child up with a current student who shows them around St. Mary during the course of an afternoon/evening session. Check out our parish website www.saintmarymilton.org for programs, photos, commissions, retreat opportunities and more... Behind on Sacraments? No worries! All are welcome to join our faith formation programs...we will meet you right where you are and go from there. Contact Sabrina to develop a program that fits you and your family s needs. Children/ youth will be offered peer buddies to help your children along the way. Registration Families are asked to register online annually to update personal and Sacrament records. Paper copies are available upon request. New families who wish to become members of St. Mary are invited to contact Vicki, Parish Administrator, to set up an appointment. Tuition Program tuition payments may be paid in full or through partial payments using a parish payment plan. Statements are sent out quarterly. No child will be refused Faith Formation at St. Mary Parish due to inability to pay tuition at any given time. All you need to do is call our pastor at 868-3338. Family Registered at St. Mary Family Not Registered at St. Mary $100 for one child $200 for one child $125 for more than one child $250 for more than one child Catechists/Youth Ministry Leaders/Office Aides: $50 for the family Note: Registered parishioners enrolling their children in the Sunday morning Preschool must be 4 years old by December 31. There is no tuition for the Preschool program. 3
Parent Responsibilities Sharing the Faith: You have the biggest and most challenging responsibility of sharing the Faith with your child every day. Remember the day of your child s baptism? Your intentions were pure...to raise your little one in the light of Christ. Bring your children to Mass and Faith Formation classes regularly and let the Holy Spirit guide you! We ask you to take time after each session to talk with your child about their gathering. Living the Faith: If you are unable to help in your child s class weekly, volunteer whenever you get the chance. We understand parents have busy work schedules, but if you have a day off or get home early one day, please come and join us. There is always a need for parent helpers in the classroom. You mean everything to them! Catechists/Leaders We are here to help YOU! St. Mary Catechists and Faith Group Leaders come from various backgrounds nurses, doctors, bankers, construction workers, law enforcement officers, lawyers, office workers, veterinarians, stay-at-home moms, college students, financial planners, sales people, realtors, municipal workers, business owners, computer whizzes, counselors, hair stylists and yes, even a few real teachers. Many are parents, but all love God and hope they can encourage the children and youth in their faith journeys. College students, retired persons and everyone in are welcome to join us! Safe Environment Training Requirement Volunteers working with children/youth are required to attend a one-time training session called VIRTUS: Protecting God s Children. For the protection of the volunteers and children, a background check is also completed. A session is being offered at St. Mary in the Parish Center on Saturday, October 5 from 9:00 a.m. to NOON. Special Needs There is a growing need for volunteers to assist with a developing program for children with special needs. Some children are home-schooled while others attend regular classroom sessions. Often there is a need for one on one instruction and/or encouragement for just 10-15 minutes. If you would be willing to join us in this special ministry, please contact Sabrina. Child Care Sunday 9:00 a.m.: Child Care is provided on alternating Sunday mornings during 9:00 a.m. Mass from October to April for infants, toddlers, preschool and kindergarten age children. The room is located in the Church Hall on the lower level. The session includes age-appropriate Bible stories and activities focusing on the Sunday Gospel with music, crafts, puppets, toys and plenty of room for infants and toddlers to explore. There is no fee for Child Care. Tuesday 4:00 p.m.: Would you love to volunteer, but still have little ones at home? Last year, we had four additional catechists who where able to help in their children s classrooms due to child care provided. Let us know if you can help by providing child care for other catechists children, alternating between being in the classroom and child care room. Child Care Schedule for Sunday Mornings at 9:00 a.m. October 13/27 November 10/24 December 8 January 12/26 February 9/23 March 9/23 April 13/27 4
FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS PRESCHOOL 1st & 3rd Sunday 9:00 a.m. Children are greeted with smiles, as well as colorful artistic and musical activities in Preschool! The Gospel Weekly (Pflaum) series is a lectionary-based program which focuses on the weekend Gospel. Each lesson is broken into three segments - Sharing Life Stories; Listening to the Gospel; Building Christian Community. On occasion, the catechist stops teaching so the children can listen to the sound of the kneelers and the singing congregation above their classroom - Kelli usually hears her dad. The children in turn, begin learning the parts of the Mass. There is no fee for preschool. Preschool children must be 4 years by December 31st. Attendance: Notify the Faith Formation office of your child s absence at 868-3334 and we would be happy to mail their lesson to your home. Drop-Off: The Preschool class meets in the Church Hall on the lower level of the church. Just drop off your child before 9:00 a.m. Mass and pick them up after Mass. They will be listening for the sound of the kneelers and the closing song! Cancellation of Classes: Families will be contacted by the Faith Formation Coordinator. Preschool Schedule for Sunday Mornings at 9:00 a.m. October 6 & 20 November 3 & 17 December 1 & 15 January 5 & 19 February 2 & 16 March 2 & 16 April 6 & 27 Christmas sing-a-long on December 15th after 9:00 a.m. Mass. ELEMENTARY (K-6) Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday 4:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:45 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Children arrive after school hungry for nourishment physically and spiritually! The lessons often begin before the children even arrive at St. Mary... on the bus or in the car... during outdoor free time. Once they choose their milk and enjoy a simple snack, the lessons continue...gathering around the prayer table studying the Word of God and the Traditions of our Faith...all classes coming together as a large group in song and prayer. The elementary textbook, Be My Disciples provides children a balanced approach to learn the faith through reading the text and living the Faith. A Christmas Reflection is performed by the children in December during class time. Our year -end session is celebrated with the traditional May Crowning for all Faith Formation elementary students, families and parishioners the first Wednesday in May. Elementary Class Schedule & Sacraments September 17/18; 24/25 October 1/2; 8/9; 15/16; 29/30 (No classes 22/23...In-Service Oct. 23) November 5/6; 12/13; 19/20 (No classes Thanksgiving week 26/27) December 3/4; 10/11 (Christmas programs); 17/18 (No classes Dec. 24/25/31) January 7/8; 14/15; 21/22; 28/29 (No classes January 1) February 4/5; 11/12; 18/19; 25/26 (No classes 25/26...In-Service Feb. 26) March 4/5; 11/12; 18/19; 25/26 First Reconciliation on March 8 at 9:00 a.m. April 1/2; 8/9; 22/23; 29/30 (No class April 15/16) May 4 @ 10:30 a.m. First Communion May 7 @ 6:00 p.m. May Crowning & ice cream social 5
Policies and Procedures Absentee Mailbox: Parents notify the Faith Formation office of child absences by calling the absentee mailbox at 868-3336. Bus Transportation: Bus service is available to children attending Milton East, Milton West, Harmony and Northside Intermediate schools for the Tuesday and Wednesday 4:00 p.m. sessions. Cancellation of Classes: St. Mary follows the Milton School District calendar. During months of inclement weather, staff will be in contact with the schools and bus company to determine whether or not classes will be cancelled. Parents will be notified thru their FlockNote account and the cancellation will also be posted on our homepage www.saintmarymilton.org. Families with children from other school districts, please be especially aware. Child Drop-Off and Pick Up (K-6) Drop-Off: Drivers follow the orange cones to drop students off in front of the building. Children in grades 2-6 wait in the parking lot for pick-up. Pick Up for Kindergarten and 1st Grade: Parents are asked to park their car across the street or in the west or south parking lot and pick up their child from his/her classroom. If the child has an older sibling (2nd grade or older), he/she may accompany the kindergarten or 1st grade student to the main parking lot for pick up. Call 868-3334 if you need assistance. Christian Learning Environment: Maintaining order during sessions is very important for teens to grasp the fullness of concepts and lessons taught in this short period of time. Therefore, respectful Christian conduct is expected at all times toward everyone. Parents will be notified of behavioral concerns. Please note that cell phones and electronics must be turned off during class time. Early Dismissal: The coordinator must receive notification of a child s early release from class from the parent. If someone other than the child s parent will be picking them up, provide that person s name and phone number in case of an emergency. Parents will be contacted regarding the whereabouts of missing children. FlockNote: St. Mary uses a communication tool called FlockNote to send you information regarding classes, meeting reminders, parish events, class cancellations, and more! You choose the method of communication email or text. Illness or Injury: Parents will be contacted upon illness or injury of students during class. If a parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact person will be called. If neither parent nor emergency contact persons are located, staff will use their best judgment. Student Class Grade Placement: Students are normally placed in the classroom grades in which they attend in their formal education. Students retained/advanced in public schools may be retained/advanced in Faith Formation upon the request of the family. Emergency Evacuation/Shelters Fire/Evacuation: A plan of student evacuation in the event of an emergency is in place. Meet your children at the designated area; they will wait for you there. Tornado: All students will gather in the Church Hall (lower level) with their catechists/leaders. 6
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL (7-11) Middle School (7 8) High School (9 11) One Sunday per month 5:30 8:00 p.m. Varies by group Middle and high school youth gather once per month. Scripture, Prayer, Tradition, Liturgical Life, Morality and Apostolic Actions (service) are components of each gathering. Attendance at each class is important, especially as a DVD has been incorporated into the lessons and many Actions are included during gatherins. Curriculum 7th Grade: Encounter will prepare youth for in-depth Bible studies in high school. The series goes through the Old Testament and touches on the New Testament. 8th Grade: The Theology of the Body: Middle School Edition is a series which gets young teens thinking about God s plan for them. Freshman: Youth will study the Gospel of Matthew. Sophomore: In sophomore year, teens will study Acts and Revelation. Junior: The focus for Confirmation year is the T3 Teen Bible Timeline which covers both the Old and New Testaments. There s more...a Youth Mass, Reconciliation or special service is celebrated for all youth each month prior to the middle school youth gathering at 5:30 p.m. A variety of group Apostolic ACTIONS are scheduled for youth fulfill to their requirement of service hours toward Confirmation. Living the Faith is a crucial component of Youth Ministry...the Word of God cannot be fulfilled without taking action! These can also count toward Silver Cord. On the first Sunday in May, the final gathering of the year concludes with both middle and high school youth coming together for Mass, a meal, Scripture, reflection on the year, and the May Challenge. The Challenge includes contests amongst faith groups which include questions about the lessons covered throughout the year. Policies and Procedures Absence/Make up: Parents notify the Faith Formation office of youth absences at 868-3336. Parents will be contacted regarding the whereabouts of missing youth. Faith group gatherings are posted on the parish website www.saintmarymilton.org under the Faith Formation tab. Cancellation of Classes: The cancellation of classes will be posted on the homepage of the parish website www.saintmarymilton.org. You will also be notified by your child s faith group leader and/or a FlockNote message.. Christian Learning Environment: Maintaining order during sessions is very important for teens to grasp the fullness of concepts and lessons taught in this short period of time. Therefore, respectful Christian conduct is expected at all times toward everyone. Parents will be notified of behavioral concerns. Please note that cell phones and electronics must be turned off during class time. Illness or Injury: Parents will be contacted upon illness or injury of students during class. If a parent cannot be reached, the emergency contact person will be called. If neither parents nor emergency contact persons are located, staff will use their best judgment. Student Class Grade Placement: Students are placed in the classroom grades in which they attend in their formal education. Students retained/advanced 7 in public schools may be retained/advanced in Faith Formation upon the request of the family.
Middle School Gatherings September 15 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Youth Mass October 13 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.. Prayer Service November 10 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.. 5:30 p.m. Youth Mass December 8 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m.. 5:30 p.m. Reconciliation January 12 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Prayer Service February 9 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Youth Mass March 9 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Reconciliation April 6 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Youth Mass May 4 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Youth Mass Freshman & Sophomore Gatherings at Saint Mary September 15 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. High school youth meet monthly in homes or church or other in their faith groups and decide on their schedule as a group. May 4 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Juniors/Confirmation Gatherings at Saint Mary September 22 @ 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Confirmation Retreat) High school youth meet monthly in homes or church or other in their faith groups and decide on their schedule as a group. May 4 @ 5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. Youth Ministry Leader In-Services Youth Ministry Leaders attend a monthly in-service providing updates of upcoming events, Actions, current events for discussion in their faith groups. September 5 @ 7:00 p.m. or September 8 @ 10:00 a.m. October 3 @ 7:00 p.m. or October 6 @ 10:00 a.m. November 7 @ 7:00 p.m. or November 10 @ 10:00 a.m. December 5 @ 7:00 p.m. or December 8 @ 10:00 a.m. January 2 @ 7:00 p.m. or January 5 @ 10:00 a.m. February 6 @ 7:00 p.m. or February 9 @ 10:00 a.m. March 6 @ 7:00 p.m. or March 9 @ 10:00 a.m. April 3 @ 7:00 p.m. or April 6 @ 10:00 a.m. May 1 @ 7:00 p.m. 8
SACRAMENTS Baptism The birth of a child is a joyous event in a family, when a new life is welcomed into the family. In baptism, a child is welcomed into God s family, the church, and the particular parish where the child is baptized. Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism is required before the Sacrament is celebrated. Preparation consists of a meeting with the Pastoral Associate, during which the meaning of the sacrament is discussed, the faith-sharing responsibilities of the parents are highlighted, and the celebration of the sacrament is arranged. Parents must be registered members of St. Mary Parish, or provide a letter of permission from the pastor of their parish before the baptism can be celebrated here. Baptisms are celebrated on the First Sunday of each month at 1:00 p.m. The parish is in the process of developing a follow-up program which will provide parents with ideas and suggestions on how they can share their faith with their child even during those first few years of life. First Reconciliation and First Communion Sacrament Prep If the candidate was baptized in a church other than Catholic, he/she will need to be formally received into the Church by the pastor. The Parents bring their child to Baptism and commit themselves to the responsibility to form their child in the practice of the Faith. The Family is the center of their child s Faith Life. The Family is where the love of God is lived, taught and celebrated. The demonstration of sorrow and forgiveness should be experienced within the family. The Parents are expected to bring their child to the weekend Liturgy, to worship God and experience the community of believers thru our Faith Formation programs. In the fall, 2nd grade families will be notified by the Faith Formation Coordinator of the process for the reception of these sacraments. Children will celebrate their First Reconciliation on Saturday, March 8, 2014 during a two-hour reflection morning for the parents and their children from 9:00-11:00 a.m. First Communions will be celebrated as a group on Sunday, May 4, 2014 during 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary. *In order to meet the needs of all students in our Faith Formation program, individualized programs and/or instruction may be provided to students with exceptional needs. Confirmation The Family is the ongoing center for their son/daughter to learn to live the Faith. It is the ongoing responsibility of the parent to see that their son/daughter participate in the weekend Eucharistic Liturgy. Confirmation Retreat is Sunday, September 22, 2013 from 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at St. Mary. Families will be notified of the Confirmation date when St. Mary is notified from the Bishop s office. After Confirmation... After youth receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, they continue to live and practice the Faith by replacing their gatherings with volunteer opportunities in the church. After being Confirmed, they can become Catechists; Faith Group Leaders; Lourdes Ministers (hospital visits); and more! 9
C O N T A C T P E O P L E Fr. Dave Timmerman Pastor 868-3338 dtimmerman@centurytel.net Vicki Kersten Parish Business Administrator 868-3337 vlkersten@centurytel.net Sr. Carol Hanus Pastoral Associate 868-3339 srcarol@centurytel.net Sabrina Elsen Coordinator of Faith Formation 868-3334 sabrinae@centurytel.net Angie McNally Coordinator of Liturgy & Music 868-3335 amcnally@centurytel.net Cathy Crofts Faith Formation Administrative Assistant 868-3336 cathyc@centurytel.net For updates, events and other information on the Faith Formation programs throughout the year, visit the parish website at www.saintmarymilton.org. 10