Welcome
Welcome to the 2022-2023 Religious Education year for the cluster parishes of St. Peter, St. Boniface, ABVM
and St. Joseph (SsPBAndJ). Last year, we were gifted with an opportunity to rediscover the joy of family time
and journey down the path of Family Centered Faith Formation. And what a fruit-filled journey it was!!
Research continues to show the immense benefits of talking and praying about different things as a family.
Our faith is passed on most effectively within the family through regular religious practices at home. But we also know that it is a key element for youth to grow as disciples and own their Catholic faith by engaging with their peers through small group.
Teens and youth grow in their faith through actively participating with their family and traditional classroom study, but being part of a small group (faith-centered conversation directed by a leader or teacher) and engaging with their peers is also key to them owning their Catholic faith. Our approach to faith formation this year
will be a combination of classroom setting (also referred to as small group) and family centered faith formation (large group). We are excited to journey on this path with you and to see where/how God guides each
of us along the way!
Religious Education
Families of Faith formation (FOF) is offered for all grades PK-10 once per month (typically the third Wednesday of the month, unless a holiday or special event falls on that day) from 6:00-7:15pm, starting October 19th through the end of April. FOF will take place at St. Peter in Cameron. Each month, a different theme will be presented to the families through fun, engaging, hands-on learning. Our hope is to provide the tools and guidance needed to live more Christ-like as a family and become disciples of Jesus.
Small Group Classes (traditional classroom), in addition to the Families of Faith formation, students in ALL grades (PK-10) will meet an additional two times per month (first and second Wednesday of the month) in a small group, classroom setting lead by our RE catechist. All sessions will be held at St. Peter in Cameron from 6:00-7:15pm.
Youth Group Night (Elementary age, MS & HS), being grounded in your faith and surrounded by community helps teens & youth navigate through the busyness of life! To help build upon this foundation & grow in their faith (alongside their peers), SSPBAndJ will be hosting various youth group events for our elementary age students (PK-5th), middle schoolers (6th-8th) and high school students (9th-12th) throughout the year. Our pray is to provide more opportunities for teens & youth to grow in their Catholic faith while engaging with their peers. More details to come as these events are planned.
Registration
To register for the 2022-2023 religious education year, please visit our website at www.sspbandj.org/online-registration. Forms and tuition fees can be mailed to the administrative office, brought to the cluster-wide picnic on Saturday, August 27th, or brought to the religious education kick-off night on Wednesday, September 28th.
Dinners “On Us”
Faith & Family dinners are offered to allow families an opportunity to alleviate the stress of meal prep on religious education nights. Prior to the start of class, families are encouraged to take advantage of a home cooked meal and just enjoy the company of each other in a stress free environment. Meals will be offered the third Wednesday of the month, from 5:15-5:45pm.
Volunteer
We would love to have ALL parents help in some way throughout the year. Teachers, assistant teachers, craft persons, special event helpers and various opportunities are available for you to share your time and talents regularly or even just once throughout the year! Please mark YES to helping when filling out your child’s registration!
Please feel free to contact us with any questions! We look forward to sharing God’s love, growing in faith and
community and making a difference in the lives around us, together with all of our RE families!
Praying for God’s blessing for your family and our parish family,
Mindy Hamilton, CRE Anne Stephens, Faith Formation Patty Gerber, Parish Director
715-642-0447 715-455-8056 715-642-2560
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Small Group Classes (Traditional Classroom Style)
ALL GRADES (PK-10TH) Being in a small group gives youth the opportunity to voice their questions and receive truth. A small group leader or even a peer may have a way of phrasing the same teaching that is being given at home that breaks open that idea for your child or helps them understand the importance of it. Small group classes (traditional classroom style) will be offered for ALL GRADES the first and second Wednesday of every month at St. Peter in Cameron, from 6:00-7:15pm.
Families of Faith Formation (FOF)
ALL GRADES (PK-11TH) Children & parents will gather as a family one Wednesday per month for a fun, faith-filled evening of hands-on activities & close interaction as a family-unit*
FOF will take place on the third Wednesday of every month at St. Peter in Cameron. Starting at 5:15pm with an optional family dinner, and FOF starting at 6pm.
NIGHTLY AGENDA: Start the evening off with our Mixing & Mingling Social Time/Ice Breaker. Then, jump into the fun & excitement with our Smash Starter where we’ll share the theme for the night through live skits, presentations, videos, etc. Discover your prayer style during our Prayer Primer & Prayer Practice...learn different ways your family can incorporate prayer into their daily lives! Bible adventure awaits for you during the Serious Lesson Session…don’t worry, it’ll still be fun! Experience the bible through hands-on activities like games, crafts, and more! Did you know that the domestic church is the foundation of the parish church? What is the domestic church? In our Casual Coaching corner, let us teach (or give a refresher) of all the amazing things our Catholic faith has to offer. Finally, in our Saintly Send-off, see which of the Saint’s will share wonderful ways we can incorporate all we’ve learned at home!
*FAMILY UNIT: It is our hope that family units will consist of children and their parents, however we also realize that some people may have work schedules that will not allow this evening off. We do not want anyone to be left behind, so if adults are not able to come, we will make individual arrangements for children to be a part of a consistent unit. Older children, grandparents, or other faith-leading adults are also welcome to join and/or lead family units. After all, we are all one big Catholic family!
Family Dinners
Serving at 5:15 prompt, family dinners will be offered before the Families of Faith evening begins. RSVPs will be required as meals will be delivered in a family box to the church and to your family’s table. This is to offer families time to spend together, rather than in a hustle and bustle to get their families home from work and school, fed, and into church by 6pm.