CHILDREN’S FORMATION EASTER GREETINGS AND UPDATE
It’s hard to believe that it is already Easter! We’ve made it through the dark days of winter, both literally and figuratively, and now are ready to greet the sun and move out into the Light once again. On behalf of all our catechists, volunteers and families, may this Holy Time bring light and joy into all your lives and those of your loved ones!
A Reminder: We have NO CHILDREN’S FORMATION SESSIONS on April 5-6 for Spring Break. Our last two sessions for this term will be Apr 12-13 and Apr 19-20.
Please take this time before and after Easter to truly spend time with your families and to think and talk about the events of Holy Week and the Resurrection of our Lord. The Pascal Mysteries are a central part of our faith, the faith that you, as a parent, promised before God and your families and friends to bring your child up into. Your child's formation is not just my job, or Fr. Brian's job, or your child's catechist's job, but your job, first and foremost. It truly does take a village, and we are indeed blessed to be part of yours! Check out our resources on the parish website under Lent and Easter Resource Guide, https:// www.blessedsacramentnj.org/lent.
Looking ahead, registration for returning families and those new to our program will begin soon. Watch Flocknote and our website for the latest information. We are planning to have at least some of our sessions in-person in the fall, depending on the current recommendations of the CDC and other sources.
And be on the lookout for our “Son Days-Fun Days” throughout the summer months. There will be events and programs for all ages and for families filled with fun, faith and fellowship. Get to know other families in our parish, meet new friends and learn more about our faith. If you or a high school student in your family would be interested in helping out with the fun, please email me at mfoy@blessedsacramentnj.org for more info. It’s going to be a great summer!
Religious Ed Program
We are seeking volunteers for our program. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to Mary Foy
The religious education program supplements the religious formation you are already giving your child in your home.
The administration of the School of Religion consists of the Director of Religious Education
Interested parishioners are encouraged to volunteer as catechists and aides in the Religious Education program. We provide training and support to all our catechists. All catechists and aides are required to be fingerprinted and Virtus trained. For information, please contact the Religious Education office at 732-356-4405.
Tuition
1 child - $175
2 children - $225
3 or more children - $250
Sacramental Fees:
Communion: $100
Confirmation: $75
Our current plan for Fall 2020, at least through year-end will be virtual Religious Education Classes. Once the children return to the classsroom, the plan is to attend the class for the day/time in which the child originally registered.
Our class schedule is as follows:
Monday from 4:15 pm to 5:30 pm for Grades K,1,2,3,4,5,6
Tuesday from 4:15 pm to 5:30 pm for Grades K,1,2,3,4,5,6
Tuesday from 7:00 pm to 8:15 pm for Grades 6,7,8
Wednesday from 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm for Grades 1,2,3,4,5,6
Wednesday from 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm for Special Needs
Thursday (CLOSED- THIS OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE) from 4:45 pm to 6:00 pm for Grades 1,2,3,4,5,6
Thursday (CLOSED THIS OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE) from 4:15 pm to 5:15 pm for Special Needs
The Diocese of Metuchen implemented the Virtus Program, “Protecting God’s Children,” to create a safe environment for our children. Anyone who is 18 years of age or older and volunteers for an organization that interacts with children in the church or on church grounds must meet certain requirements. The Virtus Coordinator validates that the following actions are completed:
Denise can be reached at dkelly@blessedsacramentnj.org to answer any questions.
One of our greatest works as Catholic Christians is to pass along our wonderful faith to other, particularly to the children in our parish community. I am indeed honored to have been led here to Blessed Sacrament to minister as Director of Children’s Faith Formation. While my own children were growing up in South Plainfield, I was a volunteer catechist in our parish, and later director of children’s music and liturgy there. Later, I moved on to serving as a pastoral associate and parish catechetical leader. During that time, I received my Level I and II certificates in Catechetical Leadership from the Diocese of Metuchen, and then my Masters of Pastoral Studies degree from Loyola University in New Orleans, focusing on spirituality.
I am anxious to meet the families of Blessed Sacrament, and all the wonderful people of the parish. Children’s faith formation is primarily the job of the parents, given to them at their child’s baptism, but it is the responsibility of ALL OF US to assist the parents and help bring the children more deeply into the Family of Believers. Our faith is best “caught” rather than “taught”, and our examples say far more than our words ever could. The children learn best by being part of our liturgies, serving with us in works of charity, and sharing with us the rich and varied expressions of faith that stem from our traditions and our ever-evolving journey to bring about the Kingdom of God on earth.
Please think and pray about how you can help pass the faith on to your children. Volunteer catechists and aides are always needed, and you’ll be hearing soon about other ways you can be a part of our program. We also ask for your prayers for our children and our catechists as we begin to navigate this “new world” of social distancing and new ways of learning and teaching. May God prosper the work of our hands!
Mary F Kovacs Foy