Ste. Marie Office of Children's Ministry

Another Great Year Accomplished

2011-05-04T08:58:00.002-04:00

Once again, we have reached the end of a wonderful year of faith formation with children in our K-8 programs. Our Marian Procession was scaled back a little, but more powerful than ever. This year, we gathered to process with Mary through our neighborhood block of Notre Dame Ave., Putnam, Dubuque, and Amory Streets, praying the Rosary at each of the four corners. It was a great testimony to the power of prayer! Little Catherine Ruiz and Daniel Sevigny crowned our Blessed Mother for us to start. Then, several of our First Communicants lead the way as we began our walk. Deacon Frank lead us in praying the Luminous Mysteries at each corner. Thank you Blessed Mother for interceding for our families!

Michelle and I are looking forward to a little down time in order to clean up classrooms, supply rooms and just catch out breath from a busy year.

The weeks of July 11 and 18, we'll launch a NEW program for Summer CCD for children in grades 3-6. If you haven't registered for this exciting new adventure, you can find our registration forms on the website or you can call our office at 624-1509 or email us at stemarie.religioused@gmail.com to get your forms. Registrations close on June 15th, so hurry!

A BIG thank you goes out to all our catechists and aides - as well as other volunteers in our other programs: Children's Lectionary, Feb. Bible Camp, Baptism team members, Jr. High Teams, RCIC and more. Without their love, support and commitment, we can't do all the great things we need and want to do for and with our families. So thank you ladies and gentlemen for sharing your time and talent with our young people. May God bless you richly for all you give!

Our prayer for all of you is that God will bless and protect you all throughout this summer vacation time. We look forward to sharing our summer CCD program with families and seeing everyone again in the Fall. Until then, God's abundant blessings, prosperity and protection to all of you.

In Christ,
Terry and Michelle

Welcome Home!

2011-03-31T19:31:00.003-04:00

Michelle and I have been very busy this year planning, implementing and visioning about all our office can continue to do for God's children. It always impresses us how God places so many wonderful opportunities to see his grace, mercy and love in action into our daily routine in the Children's Ministry office. So many things happen that we just know are under the total control of God.

Many of you may have noticed the beautiful and breath-taking commercials for a Catholic initiative called "Catholics Come Home." Over the last couple of weeks, our office has received numerous calls indicating that these commercials have caused them to call us to seek sacraments for themselves and their children. Whole families are returning to the Catholic Church! What a blessing - what an amazing miracle of God's love in action!

We encourage everyone in our parish and beyond to reach out in a very personal way to all those Catholics you know who have wandered away either by changing denominations or simply stopping any kind of church attendance anywhere. Pray and seek God's guidance as to how YOU might serve Him through the personal invitation to Come Home Again!

Lord, we thank you for your blessings and ask for your continued guidance as we welcome those who have been away and now seek to Come Home Once Again!
In Christ,
Terry and Michelle

October is right around the corner!

2010-09-29T09:09:00.002-04:00

Wow, what a blast Religious Ed Kick of was! We hope that all the kids had a great time with our "Religious Ed is out of this world!" theme.

If you have not yet registered your child for religious education there are still a few spaces left; we usually attempt to fit kids into the program through mid-October. The teachers have been working hard at planning lessons and praying for their students.

Keep your eyes and ears open; there are lots of things going on this year.

THIS FRIDAY, Oct. 1st is the 8th Annual Worldwide Children's Eucharistic Holy Hour. This is taking place at Sacred Heart Parish at 7pm.

Upcoming in November is our "Evening of Giving Thanks" on Nov. 22nd at 6:30 in Montminy Hall where we will assemble over 125 food baskets for those in need.

Also, you might want to mark your calendar for a fun event for kids that is new this year and is presented by "Kids Connection"---Brunch with St. Nicholas which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4th in the late morning. More details to come regarding that.

We continue to collect both non-chocolate hard candy and instant oatmeal for our beloved soldiers who are serving overseas. We will be making care packages at the Evening of Giving Thanks. Thank you for your generous support.

Also, we encouraged kids to clean out the car and look in the seat cushions at home for Pennies for Benny! They can always do an extra little chore around the house. It is our pleasure to be supporting Ben Hettrick in his missionary service with Mustard Seeds down in Jamaica.

As always, we want to remind you that if you have suggestions or ideas that can benefit our program we are always, always open to hear them. It is our firm belief that we are here to SERVE YOU in your job as the primary teachers of the faith.

Peace,
Terry and Michelle

Sept. Kick-Off is just 2 weeks away!

2010-08-27T10:50:00.003-04:00

Hello to all our families!
It's hard to believe, but our Religious Ed Kick-Off is just 2 short weeks away! Wow, the summer seems to have flown by. Michelle and I have taken some great quality time with our families and together to chill, relax and get rejuvenated for this new, upcoming year.
As always, our programs seek to change enough to keep things exciting and fun while still living and teaching the principles of our Catholic faith. So we will strive this year to be sure that our Blog Spots are more advertised to our families, that we will keep important information up on our webpage and keep things up to date. Living in the 21st century means that we have to use all means of communication, so the internet will be one place that we use much more frequently.
Check out our Children's Ministry home page to find Lesson Plans for this year, Registration packets for K-6 and Jr. High, the Calendar for 2010/2011, First Sacraments Calendar and new this year - we will be posting our Parent's Monthly Newsletter! Everything is formatted in PDF to make printing easier for everyone.

So, in the theme of this year's Religious Education for Grades K-6 - Hold on as we BLAST OFF, Launching into God's Word! RELIGIOUS ED IS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!!!!!!!!

Religious Ed is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

2010-08-19T11:47:00.002-04:00

Join us as this year we take Religious Ed Out of This World by Launching Into God's Word! That's right, our Religious Ed theme will have you 'floating in God's space' as you prepare for a new year of adventure, fun and learning about our Catholic Faith.

Michelle and Terry have been VERY busy in the last month planning, scheming and preparing for this year's Classical Classroom Program for Religious Education. Parents and students alike will no doubt have a great time at our Kick-Off for families on Monday, Sept. 13th at 4 and 6pm.

So - get ready for an amazing year of learning, growing in faith and fun and we will see all of our Kindergarten through 6th graders and their families on Mon., Sept. 13th! Until then, enjoy the rest of the summer and have a GREAT start to the school year!

In Christ,
Terry and Michelle

Fall Program coming soon to your neighborhood!

2010-07-20T11:51:00.002-04:00

Hello and Welcome to Ste. Marie Children's Ministry Page! We hope you are enjoying a GREAT summer vacation. Michelle and Terry have been busy, busy, busy this summer with cleaning, organizing and planning for our Fall program and we have a few updates to share with all of you. Be sure to read on, check out the navigation bar on the right side of our page and join us in sharing your faith with our children.

In our monthly blog, you will find much of what you need to know about our programs. So be sure to visit our blog on a regular monthly basis to stay up to date on all the latest events we organize.

The navigation bar on the right side of our Children's Ministry page will help you find information on the many ministries we offer, help you register for one of our religious education programs and also gives you the calendars and even the Monday Classroom Lesson plan for the year on each grade! We hope this becomes a great resource for all your religious ed needs.

Our calendars that are currently posted are for the Classical Classroom Program on Mondays (Grades K-6) and the Jr. High program (grades 7 & 8).

The Ste. Marie Family Program has it's own page. Just clink on the link that says Family Program in the navigation bar and you will find all the information you need to become a part of this amazing and fun program!

Ste. Marie and Sacred Heart parishes are combined to bring you an additional option - Sacred Heart Family Formation Program. Topics for this program are based on the Liturgical Calendar. Registration information as well as a link to this exciting new option will be available by Aug. 1st.

Registration for the Family Program closes about mid August and the Sacred Heart Family Formation Option closes by Aug. 27th, so families interested in either of these options must act soon.

Registration for our Jr. High and the Classical Classroom Program registration is currently going on, but closes Oct. 30th. Space is limited, so be sure to act quickly.

So check out our web page often, make comments on our blog and register now for the exciting ways that you can share your faith with your children and your parish community.

God bless you all and watch for updates on our blogs much more regularly this year!
In Christ,
Terry and Michelle

Our Office name has changed!

2010-03-10T10:15:00.003-05:00

You will be seeing a new name around Ste. Marie's if you have not already. In an effort to simplify things and make our parish more welcoming; some of the office names have changed.

Our office will now be known as the "Office of Children's Ministry". It better reflects for people what we actually do. We cater to all children from Baptism through grade 8. In the past our office title was a bit confusing for people that were not 'educated' in the 'Catholic Lingo'.

You will also notice that the Office of Evangelization and Family Life is now going to be known as the "Office of Adult Minsitry". This is happening for the same reasons; simplicity.

This has not changed how we 'do business' in our office. It is still Terry and Michelle looking to serve you and provide you with opportunities for you and your children to come to know, love and serve Jesus and the Church.

Peace be with you!
Terry and Michelle

Fall Registration Opens!

2010-03-10T10:11:00.002-05:00

You should be getting Re-registration packets in the coming weeks. Please be sure to reserve your spot early as it helps us budget and plan for the coming fall. We know that it is sometimes hard to think about next fall's planning---we will be accepting registrations with deposits as of now.

We will have new Registration forms up on the Parish website as well if you have children entering our program.

We are always looking for more helping hands too! If you have any talents you might want to share with us, we would really appreciate it!

Peace in Christ,
Terry and Michelle

Happy New Year

2010-01-11T06:38:00.002-05:00

The Office of Christian Formation has some great things planned for 2010!

Coming up for Feb. School Vacation week we will be hosting a great Winter Bible Camp---it will have a Medieval theme and be on the Armor of God! Lords and Ladies ages 4 to grade 5 are encouraged to attend. Watch the bulletin for more information!

Mark your calendar now for our first dinner with St. Patrick! Traditional St. Paddy's day dinner of Corned Beef and Cabbage will be served (and hot dog for the young---or not so young---that don't like the traditional meal). St. Patrick will join us and share his story and explain why we take time each year to celebrate him!

Keep your eyes open for an all new Summer Vacation Bible School! Also; an all new and improved 'Tent Revival' is coming our way this summer!

May God bless you and your family this year.

Terry and Michelle

Horray for Holy-wood!

2009-09-17T07:10:00.003-04:00

We hope that you had as much fun at the Religious Ed. Kick-off as we did. Ste. Marie, where saints are in the making!

For those of you unable to make our Kick-off, you missed the awards ceremony! Mrs. Bolduc was presented with the great award of Director of Religious Education of the year. She thanked the 'little people' like the Kindergarteners, the 1st and 2nd graders, ohhhhh the 3rd & 4th graders and told the 5th and 6th graders to 'ROCK ON'! Fr. Moe and Fr. Steve tied in the category of 'Greatest Prayer Warrior' and Fr. Moe was present to accept the award on their behalf. He started us with opening prayer and blessed us all with a relic of the true cross.

What a great evening.

We hope to see you all back every Monday to learn more about God and our place in his Kingdom. May the Lord bless you and keep you until we see you again.

Mrs. Bolduc and Mrs. Allain

Monday, Sept. 14th!

2009-09-12T18:29:00.001-04:00

Welcome to a NEW Year! Monday, Sept. 14th we get started with a new religious ed year for students in grades K to 6. Michelle and I have had a busy summer with the change of pastors. We miss Fr. Marc, but have seen him a couple of times and he's doing very well. He misses us, but is happy and content with his new surroundings.
Fr. Moe is amazing and we are happy to be working with and for him. He's a wonderful man of God with a big heart for children and families.
We look forward to seeing all our students in K-6 on Monday at 4 and 6pm. We promise you won't be disappointed with our fun approach to this year's program.
We have a couple of new teachers, but most have returned and are ready to help us all grow in faith. So come on Monday, ready for some fun surprises and lots of excitement as we begin a new year of growing in our Catholic faith. It promises to be a year filled with God's blessings and grace once again. Peace in Christ,
Terry and Michelle

Summer Fun

2009-06-22T13:31:00.002-04:00

We have been BUSY, BUSY, BUSY here in the Office of Christian Formation. One of our Goals for the upcoming school year is to make sure we update this Blog at least monthly! God help us!

Over the summer there are a few good things going on in the Parish for families.

Keep your eyes on the bulletin for the date of the upcoming Fischer Cats Game, it should be a fun night for all.
Vacation Bible School is coming the first week of August!
There is going to be Children's Ministry sponsored by "Kids Connection" at the upcoming Tent Revival at Sacred Heart Church August 10-11 & 12. This will be designed for kids from ages 4-12. It should be lots of fun!

If you have not registered your kids for Religious Ed for the fall be sure to do so as soon as possible, you can access forms right on our site.

Peace all!

Terry and Michelle

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-01-08T12:20:00.003-05:00

We know that it has been a while since we have updated this. After Thanksgiving, with the onset of the Advent Season---things around here got a bit busy!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas and that St. Nicholas was good to all t he boys and girls (and Moms and Dads too!) that are in any programing that we oversee.

Please keep in mind the Holy Father’s General Intention for this month of January: That the FAMILY may become more and more a place of training in charity, personal growth, and transmission of the faith.

November

2008-11-07T10:43:00.003-05:00

Hi Everyone,

We are looking forward to the 'Evening of Giving Thanks'. This is going to be taking place on Monday evening, November 24th at 6:30pm in the basement of the church. We will have a short prayer service, some cardmaking and then we will assemble over 125 Thanksgiving food baskets for the needy in our area.

This is our second year doing this and it was a HUGE success last year.

We are going to be raffling off a food basket for those in attendance that night---tickets will be $1 per ticket.

Also, a reminder that we are ALSO doing a Winter Jacket drive for the local refugees that live in our area. We are looking for CLEAN Winter Jackets of all sizes (Mens, Womens and Childrens) as well as snowsuits or snowpants. These should be brought in on a regular Monday class by the 17th of November.

We know that this is a lot of infomation and that money is tight for many of us. Remember, if money is tight for you----imagine how hard it is for those families that were already on the edge! We all know that out dollars do not go nearly as far as they once did. Do what you can to help---and if YOU and YOUR family are in need, please let us know.

Peace,
Terry and Michelle

The First Post

2008-09-20T15:10:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Joe Malinowski, The Office of Christian Formation has decided to join in the information age! We attended a workshop today entitled "The I-pod generation" and were very inspired.

This initial message will be directed primarily to parents. This will not always be the case, sometimes our blog will be geared specifically toward the kids!

We plan to use the blog for a variety of purposes. First, to communicate the happenings of the Office of Christian Formation and secondly to give random thoughts on goings on in our world. Our views are our own although will always be in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church. Know that any 'opinion' you will find here is totally that of the author (usually Terry or myself) and not that of Fr. Marc or any other staff members! We promise not to be too controversial! :)

We encourage parents to view the blog and we will be starting a few for the 5th & 6th graders as well as one for our Jr. High program. It is another tool for us to reinforce what we are doing with kids in the classroom. We only have kids in our care for very short windows of opportunity and know that technology is something they enjoy and are interested in----meet them where they are at!

Jesus taught in parables. He talked about sheep to the Shepherds. He spoke about grain to the farmers. He discussed fishing with the fishermen. He did not expect everyone to know about carpentry! So---this is our small attempt to meet your kids where they are at!

Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to serve you and as always, if you have any questions or concerns....feel free to contact us in the office.

Peace of Christ,

Michelle Allain, Asst. Coordinator of Christian Formation