FAITH FORMATION STAFF 2018-2019

• Invite one of your children to find the Gospel passage in the Bible.  Use any translation.  On Sundays we hear the New American Bible.
• Or, access the reading online through the parish website www.stjosephsbabylon.org.  Click on DAILY READING (on right side of home page). Scroll down to www.nccbuscc.org.  You will see a calendar. Click on the date of the coming Sunday and you will access all the readings exactly as they will be heard at mass.
•  Invite your children to listen carefully as you read the Gospel.  Then suggest listening for a word or phrase that stands out.  Slowly read the Gospel again.
• What is God saying to you in these words?  If you had to get up and give a homily on these readings what would you say?

• Stairways are marked “up” and “down”; please use the proper stairways to help alleviate congestion.
• We ask that the children be in the rooms five minutes prior to the starting time so that the group can begin on time.
• For the safety of the children, we ask that parents please park in a designated parking spot and walk the child to either the “staff entrance” which is in the rear of the building across from the thrift shop, or to the “nursery school” entrance with the ramp which is a North Carll Ave. entrance, and then to the classroom.
• Do not leave your child in the classroom if the catechist is not present.
• Every child needs to be signed out by a parent or designated adult.

Hall Monitors :  there are three hallways at the center that are used by Faith Formation.  The ideal is to have parents volunteer to monitor each of these hallways when the children are in the building.  Please call the Faith Formation office 587-4717 if you are willing to help with this effort.  It involves occasionally escorting a young child to the rest room and back and sitting in the hallway to make certain that the children are safely in their rooms.  It is a good opportunity to read the newspaper or a good book while your child is participating in a Faith Formation session.
 

Child Protection & Prevention Program - this is a child safety program that will be presented to the children in each grade level.  Dates are to be determined.

Food – absolutely no food or drinks are permitted in the building during the catechetical sessions.
Toys, electronic devices, cell phones, etc. – please leave all distractions at home.  The children have only one hour per week to focus on their formal religious education.
 
Books – parents are asked to buy a work book for each of their children; the books are sold in the Faith Formation office.   Please make sure your child brings the book and a pen or pencil to class each week.
              
ST. JOSEPH’S FAITH FORMATION
2018 2019 CALENDAR
 Week                        Monday                   Tuesday ______      Wednesday                                   
      1                            Sept. 24                 Sept. 25                    Sept. 26
      2                            Oct. 1                     Oct. 2                        Oct. 3
      3                            Oct. 15                   Oct. 9                        Oct. 10
      4                            Oct. 22                   Oct.  16                     Oct. 17
      5                            Oct. 29                   Oct.  23                     Oct. 24
      6                            Nov. 5                     Oct. 30                      Nov. 7
      7                            Nov. 19                   Nov. 13                     Nov. 14
      8                            Nov. 26                   Nov. 27                     Nov. 28
      9                            Dec. 3                     Dec. 4                       Dec. 5
    10                            Dec. 10                   Dec. 11                     Dec. 12
    11                            Dec. 17                   Dec. 18                     Dec. 19
    12                            Jan. 7                     Jan. 8                        Jan. 9 
    13                            Jan. 14                   Jan. 15                      Jan. 16
    14                            Jan. 28                   Jan. 22                      Jan. 23
    15                            Feb. 4                    Jan. 29                      Jan. 30
    16                            Feb. 11                   Feb. 5                       Feb. 6
    17                            Feb. 25                   Feb. 12                     Feb. 13
    18                            March 4                  Feb. 26                      Feb. 27
    19                            March 11                 March 12                  March 13
    20                            March 18                March 19                   March 20
    21                            March 25                March 26                   March 27
    22                            April 1                     April 2                        April 3
    23                            April 8                     April 9                        April 10
    24                            April 15                   April 16                       April 17                       
 
We are closed for the following holidays:
2018:                                                                2019:
Monday, October 8 – Columbus Day             Tuesday, January 1 – New Years Day
Wednesday, October 31 – Halloween            Wednesday, January 2 – New Years 
Tuesday, November 6 – Election Day            Monday, January 21 - Martin Luther King    
Monday, November 12 – Veteran's Day         Week of February 18 - Winter recess
Tuesday, November 20 – Thanksgiving         Tuesday, March 5 - Mardi Gras
Wednesday, November 21 - Thansgiving       Wednesday, March 6 - Ash Wednesday
Week of December 24 - Christmas                
Monday, December 31 - New Years Eve           
 
 
LEVEL 1
 
Finding God, Our Response to God’s gifts –This series was put together to help the children experience the presence of God in their lives and to have a personal relationship with Jesus.  Children will come to know God in a personal way in order to find meaning and purpose in their lives.
 
All Level One families will be required to attend six weekend Masses on specific weekends through the year.  We expect that families will be attending Mass on a weekly basis but on these weekends, the children will receive a special blessing and will either receive something at Mass or be asked to bring in something.  Weekend Masses begin on Saturday @ 5pm and go through Sunday @ 5pm.
                                 
                           LEVEL 1 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 
God, Our Creator and Father – children learn about God, our creator and that he loves all that he creates.  God wants nothing but the best for us.  The Holy Spirit is God’s presence among us.  Ordinary time is a time to be thankful for God’s creation.
Jesus, Our Lord and Savior – Advent is a time to get ready to celebrate Jesus’ birth.  Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  Jesus teaches us how to pray and that God wants to know our needs.  Jesus rose from the dead, making new life possible.
The Church, Our Community in the Spirit – Jesus gives us the Church as a sign of his love for us and for the whole world.  Jesus calls us to share his love.  The Holy Spirit gives us gifts of peace, strength and joy.  Mary, the mother of Jesus, loves and prays for us.  We celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas.
Sacraments, Our Way of Life – the children will learn that Jesus is with us in a special way through the sacraments and that we become members of God’s family through our Baptism.  When we pray we are listening and talking to God.
Morality, Our Lived Faith – God wants us to care for the world he has given us.  We are like Jesus when we care for one another.  The commandments help us to make good decisions. 
Level 1 children are expected to come to the first group session knowing the Sign of the Cross and
The Lord’s Prayer.
                        SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 1
                                        
Parent                              Overview of Level 1 - Role of parents
Meeting                             Thursday, September 20 @ 11:00am or 7:00pm
                                          O’Connell Room
Sunday Masses               October 21, November 17-18, December 15-16, 2018
                                           February 2-3, March 23-24 and April 27-28, 2019
  
Special Masses for Level 1
  
Beginning Celebration           Sunday, October 21st @ 9:30am Mass in Msgr. Nolan Hall,
hospitality in the gym after Mass. Return First Eucharist Covenants to Mass & join us for a Welcome Celebration.
 
 Advent Calendar                    November 17^th or 18^th - Children will receive an Advent calendar
                                                  at Mass.                                             
 
 Outreach Donations               December 15^th or 16^th - Please bring donations
                                                  for the parish food pantry to Mass.  Baskets will be at the door.
 
 Catholic Prayers for               February 2nd or 3rd - Come to Mass and
 Catholic Families                  receive your copy of the Catholic Prayers booklet.
 
Outreach Donations                March 23rd or 24th – Parish Outreach donations.
 
 Easter Activity Book              Sunday, April 27^th or 28^th - children will receive an Easter
                                                  Activity book at Mass.
                                
LEVEL 2
Finding God, Our Response to God’s Gifts – this series will help enhance the prayer life of the children by using different types of prayer experiences.  The goal is for the children to come to know Jesus on a personal level and to know what it’s like to experience the presence of God in their lives.
 
LEVEL 2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
God, Our Creator and Father – the children will learn that God gives us the gift of Jesus, the Son of God, and that Jesus came to save us.  All good things we do and the good decisions we make come from the Holy Spirit.  Ordinary time is a time to be fed by Jesus, the Bread of Life.
Jesus, Our Lord and Savior – Jesus is the model for the love and goodness in our lives.  With God’s help, we can follow the commandments and live in peace with one another.  The parable of the lost sheep shows God’s loving concern for us.
The Church, Our Community in the Spirit – In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled with God and one another.
Sacraments, Our Way of Life – We receive new life in Jesus with the Sacraments of Initiation.  When we celebrate Mass, we hear the Word of God proclaimed and we celebrate the Eucharist.  The Mass is central to living the Christian way of life.
Morality, Our Lived Faith – Jesus shows us how to love through his words and deeds.  God helps us follow our conscience so that we can be truly free and happy.  We learn to be like Jesus by treating each other fairly and with justice.  We need to respect one another’s good name and property.  Easter is a time to reflect on eternal life.
 
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 2
Parent Meeting:                      Tuesday, September 18^th  in the O'Connell room
                                                  11:00am or 7:00pm.
 
Parent/Child Meeting              Thursday, November 15^th at 4 pm or 6pm in Nolan Hall.
                                                  Reconciliation Workshop/The seasons of Advent & Christmas.
 
First Reconciliation                 Your child will be assigned to one of the following dates/times:
Services                                   Saturday, November 17th   12:45pm or
                                                  Saturday, December 1st at 11:15am or 12:45pm.
                                                   Please arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to sign in.
                                                 
Parent Meeting                       Thursday, March 28th in the O'Connell Room at 11am or 7pm.
 
Instructional Mass                  Saturday, March 9^th @ 11:15am in the Church
 
Mandatory Masses                 Level 2 parents and children are required to attend any
                                                  Saturday evening or Sunday Mass on the following dates:
 
Return Covenants                   Oct 13th or 14th – signed Covenants are to be returned.
Presentation of Crosses         November 3rd or 4th – receive a cross necklace at Mass.
Blessing of Tour Booklets      January 26th or 27th - bring Church Tour booklets to Mass.
Donations for Outreach          January 6^th & 7^th – please bring donations for Outreach.
Blessing of Mass Booklets     January 26^th & 27^th – Bring your Mass Booklets to Mass.
Instructional Mass                  Saturday, March 9^th @ 11: 15am – Church
Going Forth Celebration         Sunday, June 2nd@ 9:30am Mass only, Going Forth                      Celebration & hospitality in the gym afterwards. Children are encouraged to wear First Communion outfits.
 
 
First Eucharist                         Saturdays, May 4th @ 11am, May 11th &18th  @ 11am & 1pm
Celebrations                            All First Eucharist Masses & Rehearsals take place
                                                  in the Church. 
                                                  The rehearsals take place the Wednesdays prior to your assigned                                                             Mass and will be at 4pm for those at the 11:00am Masses
                                                  and at 5pm for those at the 1:00pm Masses.  

LEVEL 3
Finding God, Our Response to God’s Gifts – this new series nourishes a relationship with God through traditional prayer, meditation, liturgical prayer, praying with Scripture and through art. 
      
LEVEL 3 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
God, Our Creator and Father - the children will learn that they are called to be one of God’s holy people and that God calls us to live in peace with one another. 
Jesus, Our Lord and Savior – the children will learn that Jesus calls us to love God and others.
The Church, Our Community in the Spirit – Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to bring life into the Church.  Jesus is especially present in the celebration of the sacrament.  Mary is a model of faith and love.  Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Sacraments, Our Way of Life – the celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) is at the center of parish life.  Through the Sacraments of Initiation we receive the fullness of the Spirit and become members of the Church.  Lent and Holy Week are times to think about how we treat others.
Morality, Our Lived Faith – Jesus gives us the help we need to make good moral choices.  We live like Jesus when we practice the virtues of faith, hope and love.  We learn to love and respect one another.  Easter is a time to reflect on God’s merciful love.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 3
Presentation of the Gifts at Mass - Level 3 encourages active participation in Sunday Eucharistic celebrations .  Each class is required to sign up to bring up the gifts at one Mass during the year.  If a c hild is unable to attend Mass with their class, they need to sign up for another Mass to fulfill this requirement.  Level 3 catechists will contact the Faith Formation Office in order to choose a weekend Mass at which their students will participate in The Presentation of the Gifts.  Catechists will tell the parents which Mass they are to attend.
 
Monthly Mass Attendance     Each child is to hand in at least 12 Mass attendance envelopes.
                                                  Please know that while donations are appreciated, they are not
                                                  necessary.  Envelopes are mainly for    attendance purposes.
Advent Celebration                 Come to any Mass the weekend of December 8^th & 9^th to
                                                  receive an Advent gift and a blessing.
Instructional Mass                  Monday, January 14^th from 6-7pm in Msgr. Nolan Hall.
Outreach donations                 Weekend of May 4^th & 5^th – please bring donations to
                                                  Mass and receive a blessing.

LEVEL 4
 Finding God, Our Response to God’s gifts consistently provides opportunities for children to experience and cherish prayer as a deeply important, always present opportunity to grow in relationship with God.  Children are encouraged to take time to reflect on and recognize God’s presence in their lives.
 
LEVEL 4 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
God, Our Creator and Father – children learn that God is revealed in creation, Sacred Scripture, the Church and in Jesus.
Jesus, Our Lord and Savior – children learn that Jesus’ law of love allows us to live peacefully with one another.  The Beatitudes are guidelines that teach us how we can be truly happy.
The Church, Our Community in the Spirit – Jesus calls the Church to continue his mission.  Mary, the Mother of God and of the Church, is a perfect model of Christian discipleship.
Sacraments, Our Way of Life – the children learn about the sacraments of Matrimony, Holy Orders and the Anointing of the Sick and revisit the sacrament of Reconciliation.   
Morality, Our Lived Faith – the children learn that by using the Ten Commandments as a guide for our actions, we are able to make good moral choices.  Easter is a time to reflect on Jesus’ gift of peace.
 
  SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 4
 
Monthly Mass Attendance     Each child is to hand in at least 12 Mass attendance envelopes.
                                                  Please know that while donations are appreciated, they are not
                                                  necessary.  Envelopes are mainly for    attendance purposes.
 
Instructional Mass                  Monday, January 14 ^th from 6-7pm in Msgr. Nolan Hall
                                               
Beatitude Prayer                     Come to any Mass the weekend of March 165^th & 17^th
                                                & receive the Beatitude Prayer for Families.

Return Rice Bowls                  At any Mass on the weekend of April 6^th & 7^th  
(rice bowls will be given out in the classrooms @ the beginning of Lent)


LEVEL 5
Finding God, Our Response to God’s gifts focuses on the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, the center of Christian life.  The children will grow in their appreciation of the Church as a worshiping community, and of Christ’s action among us in the Eucharistic liturgy and in the sacraments. 
LEVEL 5 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 
God, Our Creator and Father – the children will learn the importance of the Word of God and that from the beginning, we have been promised a Savior to free us from Original Sin.
Jesus, Our Lord and Savior – the children will learn on a deeper level the meaning of the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. 
The Church, Our Community in the Spirit – the unity of the faith is expressed in a variety of ways.  Jesus calls everyone to serve God and others and Mary is a model of how to respond.
Sacraments, Our Way of Life – in the Liturgy, Jesus Christ is present in the Word of God,
in the people who gather for Mass, and especially in the Eucharist.  During Lent we remember the Passion of Jesus.
Morality, Our Lived Faith – Jesus’ life in us make us temples of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is the foundation of moral life and helps us to act responsibly towards others.
 
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 5
 Monthly Mass Attendance   Each child is to hand in at least 12 Mass attendance envelopes.
Please know that while donations are appreciated, they are not necessary.  Envelopes are mainly for attendance purposes.
 
 Parent-Child Meeting              Presentation & Explanation of Mass Booklets
                                                   Thursday, October 11^th @ 4pm or 7pm in the O’Connell Rm.
 
 Presentation of Completed      Students will present completed Mass booklets at any Mass  
 Mass Booklets by students:    the weekend of December 1st & 2nd.
               «A satisfactorily completed Mass Book is required of all Level 5 students.
 
Church Tours                         Monday, October 29th 4-5pm & Tuesday, October 30th 4-7pm 
                                                Tours take approximately 45 minutes each.
                                                 Parents must stay with their children.
                                                Tours take the place of class this week.
Receive Prayer Card             Come to any Mass the weekend of March 30th or 31st and
                                                Receive Works of Mercy Prayer Card.       
 
LEVEL 6
 
Finding God, Our Response to God’s gifts - this series uses a spiral approach to teaching, which means that the children learn about their faith by revisiting the same topics each year but on a level that they can understand. 
 
LEVEL 6 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
God, Our Creator and Father – children will learn that the human family is created in the image and likeness of God.  The root of sin is in a lack of trust in God and disobedience to his commands.
Jesus, Our Lord and Savior – children will explore some of the Old Testament readings and the significance of these readings in our lives today.
The Church, Our Community in the Spirit – children will learn about the psalms and how to pray with them and that Wisdom Literature gives us practical advice on how to live.
Sacraments, Our Way of Life – the children will learn about the prophets and how they bring us words of hope and encouragement.  They will learn how we find the healing presence of God in the sacraments of Penance and Reconciliation and in the Anointing of the Sick.
Morality, Our Lived Faith – All of creation is a gift of God and the goods of the earth are to be used in ways that honor God.  As Christians, we are called to support the common good and the rights of each individual person.  We are called to practice the virtues of faith, hope and charity.
 
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES FOR LEVEL 6
 Monthly Mass Attendance    Each child is to hand in at least 12 Mass attendance envelopes.
 Please know that while donations are appreciated, they are not necessary.  Envelopes are mainly    
 for attendance purposes.
 
 Retreat                                   Saturday, November 3rd from 9:30am- 4:30pm in Nolan
                                                Hall.  We are asking each child to
                                                contribute $20 for the retreat.  Lunch will be served.
 
 Reconciliation                      Saturday, March 30th @ either 11:15am or 12:45pm in Church.
 
 Interview Sheets                   Due at any Mass the weekend of March 2nd or 3rd
 
 Prayer Petitions                    Due at any Mass the weekend of May 11th or 12th.
 
LEVEL 7
Chosen –  Video clips are shown each week followed by discussion questions.  This program will help our students to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, which will be celebrated in the winter of 2019.
 
Monthly Mass Attendance    Each child is to hand in at least 12 Mass attendance envelopes.
Please know that while donations are appreciated, they are not necessary.  Envelopes are mainly for attendance purposes.

Parents and sponsors are responsible for helping the children prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  If your family has a level 7 child who wishes to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Spring of 20, please see the Confirmation Preparation Schedule below, continued on the next page as well.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION
 
       The preparation for Confirmation is a process of:

• growing  in knowledge and love of Jesus Christ
• actively participating  in the life of the church at the parish of St. Joseph

      through weekly participation in Sunday liturgy.

• learning the meaning of Confirmation and its symbols
• actively participating in the faith formation sessions
• completing a minimum of six hours of community service.

 
Parents are the first and most important teachers of their children in the faith.
Children learn discipleship of Jesus from their parents who teach by the way they live.
  
CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE

1. Parent/Child Meeting – on either Monday, Oct. 15th @ 6:30pm or Wed. Oct. 17 @ 6:30pm in the O’Connell Room.  At this meeting, you will receive the Level 7 class schedule and we will  review the Confirmation packet.
2. Weekend of October 27 & 28, 2018 – Confirmation Covenants to be presented to the priest at any Mass this weekend (gold paper).

 

3. Weekend of January 19 & 20, 2019 – return essay, “Why Someone My Age Would Want to Follow Jesus” at any Mass (green paper). 

 

4. Weekend of February 9 & 10, 2019 – return Community Service Pledges at any Mass this weekend (red paper).

 

5. Saturday, March 23, 2019  - Retreat in Nolan Hall from 9:30am-1pm.

 
Level 8

CONFIRMATION 2019

 
Confirmation Candidates     Classes begin the week of Oct. 1st and the 1st class is a Parent
                                                & Child Meeting -  Final requirements for Confirmation.

Gold Sheets                            Due at any Mass the weekend of October 20th or 21st

Evening of Prayer                 Monday, Nov. 5^th or Wednesday, Nov. 7th @ 6:30pm  in
                                                the Church, with our Youth Director, Barbara McNulty.
                                                For parents and Confirmation Candidates

Confirmation Interviews      Thursday's, December 6 & 13 3:30pm-7pm or Saturday,
                                                December 8 1am-12 noon in Nolan Hall 

Petitions due at Mass           The weekend of January 5th & 6th.

Retreat                                   Saturday, January 12th 1:30pm-4:30pm in  Nolan Hall.
                                                For Confirmation Candidates only
 
Reconciliation                       Saturday, January 19th @ either 11:15am or 12:45pm - Church                                   Those whose last names begin with the letters A-L are to attend
                                                the 11:15am service and those with last names that begin with
                                                the letters M-Z come to the 12:45pm service. 
                                                Please arrive 10 minutes early to sign in.
                                                      
Rehearsal & Confirmation Day - Dates to be determined.
 
  
FAITH FORMATION FOR CHILDREN
WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
 
All youngsters, regardless of ability level, are invited to participate in Faith Formation. 
Our multi-level Faith Formation Program offers a personalized course of study, prepared for children according to their individual needs.  Our gifted and talented volunteer catechists receive specific training to enable them to creatively present lessons of faith to these children.
 
The Special Needs Program offers supportive one-on-one catechesis on a weekly basis on Tuesdays from 5:15-6:15pm in the O’Connell Room.  Every effort will be made to cooperate with parents to provide the most meaningful opportunity for their children to fully participate in the Sacraments and Christian living
 
If you are interested in providing support or in being trained as a special needs catechist, please call the Faith Formation office at 587-4717; this is a wonderful community service opportunity for teens.  Come join us in being the helping hands of Jesus in thanksgiving for all the blessings that you have received.
 
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
FOR CHILDREN IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
The Diocese of Rockville Centre has a policy whereby the students of Catholic Schools must prepare for and celebrate the sacraments in the family’s home parish and not the school parish.  Parents of catholic school children are required to register their children for Faith Formation each year, beginning in level one and they are to attend Sunday Eucharist (or Saturday evening) in their home parishes.  They must attend the Level One and Two Parent Meetings and parents and their children must attend any events pertaining to the sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.  The same holds true for the immediate preparation for Confirmation (parents and their children are required to attend parent meetings or parent/child meetings, retreats, reconciliation services, outreach projects and any other requirements for the immediate preparation for Confirmation).