Family Faith
For information about any of these programs, please contact Jane Myers at 745-3317.
G.I.F.T. (Faith formation for Children)
The G.I.F.T. (Growing in Faith Together) for children, is designed to foster growth in faith and understanding of Catholic belief and practice. Special needs students are fully included. Children ages 3-6 take part in the Pre-Primary Montessori program. Grades 1-6, in traditional style classrooms, work in a process that invites critical reflection and connects with life experiences. Weekly classes are held on Tuesday evenings (6:30 - 7:45 PM), September through May, by a cooperative relationship at St. Clement Church.
We welcome you to volunteer as a catechist, aide, substitute teacher, or musician.
Family Religious Education (Home Program)
A Family Religious Education Program enables parents to share their own faith as they teach their children at home. This program is family-oriented and based on the church's liturgical year. Adults and children are invited to reflect on their own life experiences, as well as their experience and understanding of Catholic belief and practice, in the light of the Scriptures from our Sunday Eucharist. There is time for individual work as well as family sharing. Also included are periodic gatherings of the families involved for peer-group sharing and celebrating of faith. Since this program is lectionary based, it assumes weekly participation year-round, beginning with the first Sunday of Advent. Reading materials, activities, and periodic gatherings for support are provided from the parish.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Our Children's Liturgy of the Word, for kindergarten children through pre-teen, meets during the adult liturgy on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at each of the three parish liturgies. If you're interested, send your children when they are called forward, or volunteer to take part as a leader of prayer, facilitator, or musician. Our Director of Faith Formation coordinates this project.
Vacation Bible School
We hope to have our annual Vacation Bible School here on the campus of Xavier in summer 2012. Watch for further details and registration information here and in the bulletin.
Intergeneration Events
As a supplement to our religious education programs, a few years ago we began offering intergenerational faith formation events for families, celebrating different seasons throughout the liturgical year. The events have age appropriate break-out sessions, as well as time together as families. This year we are planning on continuing this very successful ministry. From Advent wreath making to the burying of the Alleluia for Lent, these free events help bring the liturgical seasons to life for our families. These events are held at different locations; at Bellarmine, on Xavier’s campus, and at other local parishes.
Two Week Summer Program
As an alternative to our weekly GIFT program, we offer a two week faith formation program for our children in grades 1 through 6 located at St. Clement Church. This program runs from the last week of July through the first week of August. Also using the “Faith First” series, this program runs from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, weekdays for two weeks. The program is taught by certified Catechists. The program culminates with a mass that families are invited to attend.
