Hello everyone,
I hope you have had a blessing filled summer. As your children are returning to classes at their schools we are gearing up for the return of Religious Education formation the first week of September. I am very much looking forward to the 2017-2018 year of classes.
The first week of classes will be Wednesday, September 6th and Thursday, September 7th. NEW THIS YEAR: 15 minutes has been added to the length of the class. NEW TIMES: Wednesday 3:45-5:15pm and Thursday 6:00-7:30pm.
Please register your son/daughter for our 2017-2018 classes NOW if you have not already done so as classes are filling quickly and day/class preferences are filled on first come/first served basis. We now accept debit/credit cards as a form of payment in addition to cash or check. Forms are available here: http://sldm.org/forms-for-religious-education-2017-2018/ or there are printed forms available in my office and the church office/rectory.
Religious Education office will be OPEN for TURNING IN or completing registration forms for 2017-2018 classes on:
Tuesday, August 22nd 4:30-7:00pm
Wednesday, August 23rd 2:30-5:00pm
Tuesday, August 29th 4:30-7:00pm
Wednesday, August 30th 2:30-5:00pm
Thursday, August 31st 4:30-7:00pm
Year 1 Communion students moving to year 2 Communion: All children who were in year 1 Communion this year and didn’t miss more than 4 classes are now moving to year 2. All students re-register for classes each year. This means parents need to complete the registration forms for year 2. Year 2 Communion class has a slightly higher registration fee than the other classes due to additional expenses during the sacrament year. The fee for the year is $80.00.
ALL encouraged to return in September: Our faith growth is a lifelong process. We encourage you to register your child(ren) for classes again to continue to grow in their faith and have us support you in your role as the primary teacher of the faith to your child(ren). We offer classes from Kindergarten through 6th grade on Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as 7th & 8th on Thursdays.
Junior High Group: For those entering 7th and 8th grade our Junior High group gathers for fun, faith, friendship & food on Thursdays from 6:00-7:30pm in Lou’s Grotto. The first gathering will be Thursday, September 7th. There is a registration form and the cost for the entire school year is only $30.00.
High School Group & Confirmation: For those entering 9th grade this fall you are invited to get involved with St. Louis de Montfort High school group. Sunday evenings after the 6:00pm Mass from 7:00-8:30pm. Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation (two year process) available as early as 9th grade. Registration for Confirmation will happen during a parent/teen meeting on either Monday, August 21st or Wednesday, August 23rd from 6-7pm in the Parish Hall. We hope all of the incoming 9th graders who are Catholic will join the process to receive the amazing gift of the sacrament of Confirmation.
NEW Parent Component: This year parents will be asked to attend a monthly session designed just for parents to assist you in guiding your children in their faith at home. The session will be based on the theme of what the children are learning in the student books that month/unit. It will be very exciting to implement this new aspect to our program. Fr Aidan has been meeting since March with me, Luis (our Confirmation and Youth Ministry Coordinator) and Mona (our Business Manager) to work on plans to enhance the ways we as a parish engage families and journey with you in your lives and your family faith journey. These meetings will be for parents of children of all ages Kindergarten through 12th grade. (all parents are encouraged to attend any of the sessions and year 1 and 2 Communion parents are required to attend a minimum of 2).
Family Night Component: This year we will offer a monthly activity called “Family night”. This event is open to all, not just Religious Education students and their families but, school families and parish families. We will have a variety of activities during the hour including prayer, family ideas for meal times, craft activity to make and take home & snacks. All ages of family members are welcome. (all parents are encouraged to attend any of the family nights with their family and year 1 and year 2 Communion parents are required to attend a minimum of 1).
NEW Class Books: All classes will have a book for each child and there will be a guide for the teachers to use as well. We will be using “Alive in Christ” this year. There will be many online resources to connect your child(ren)’s lessons in class to your family faith life at home. Take a look at the website: http://aliveinchrist.osv.com/family and look for future emails from me with specific resources and suggestions from the website to enhance the 1 ½ hour each week they are here at the parish in class.
Teachers & Helpers NEEDED: We have classes on both Wednesday and Thursday that I need either teachers or helpers for. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please let me know ASAP if you are open to joining our team this year by call or text 805-264-5317. I will let you know the commitment, training and requirements connected with volunteering. Should you choose to get involved, I promise you, it will be an amazing & rewarding experience.
First Communion PICTURES : You can pick up your son/daughter’s First Communion pictures (packages purchased as well as the free photo from the parish of your child when they received the sacrament during Mass) in the church office (rectory) Monday through Friday anytime between 8:30am to 5:30pm. Certificates are also in the office if you were unable to make it to Certificate presentation Sunday in June.
Thought for the week: “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” –William Arthur Ward
Blessings on your week,
Kelly
Kelly McLoughlin
Director of Faith Formation 5-18 year olds
St. Louis de Montfort Catholic Church
Proud member of NCCL www.nccl.org