Youth Faith Formation

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Welcome Families!

Dear Paulist Center Families, the information below is our latest thinking on the Family Religious Education Programs for 2021-2022.

Grades 1-6

For 3-5 year olds and grades 1-3, we are planning for an hour of outdoor time – 30 minutes of curriculum and 30 minutes of companionship (play!) at a centrally located park/playground: the Charles River Reservation at the Artesani Playground, 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02135.  We are thinking 12 noon will give families enough time to wrap up zoom church and get over to the site, as well as not cut into your Sunday leisure time too much. Please feel free to bring a snack or picnic lunch. If your child falls within those two groups (ages 3-5 and/or grades 1-3) and you are still not comfortable with in-person gatherings – even outdoors – we will offer a virtual option for you as well.

Most of the older kiddos families that I surveyed wanted virtual classes, so we will continue to offer virtual religious education online for grades 4-6.  Please note that all virtual classes will run from 10:45 – 11:30 am.  If older kids/teens would like to come to our outdoor FREP area to connect with other PC kids as well, we welcome that social time for them, so feel free to just show up the weeks we are going to be there.

Classes and Schedules

For Grades 1-3 and Pre-K (ages 3-5), the fall schedule looks like this:

October 24 @ 12:45 pm – FREP Kick-off at The Royale House in Medford (outdoors with an indoor tours of the museum available at 1 pm)

November 7 @ 12 noon

November 21 @ 12 noon

December 5 @ 12 noon

December 19 @ 12 noon (Advent/Christmas social – place TBD)

For Grades 4-6, the fall schedule looks like this:

November 7 @ 10:45 – 11:30 am

November 21 @ 10:45 – 11:30 am

December 5 @ 10:45 – 11:30 am

December 19 @ 10:45 – 11:30 am

To register your child for in-person/outdoor classes, or virtual classes, please use this year’s registration form and indicate whether you are registering for outdoor or virtual classes.

http://www.paulistcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021FREPRegistrationForm.pdf

As a reminder, in terms of curricula for this year, all grades will begin with a 3-session program on racial justice entitled, Deep Blue Life, Anti-Racism: Prejudice and Stereotypes.  DeepBlueLife-FaithandCultureAnti-Racism.pdf (cokesburykids.com)   Afterwards, our youngest members (ages 3-5), will use a new book and curriculum entitled Drawing God written by Karen Kiefer, Director of the Church in the 21st Century at Boston College.  Drawing God (drawing-god.com)  Grades 1-6 as well as the Junior High teens, will continue to use the lectionary-based curriculum, Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. Pflaum Gospel Weeklies – Faith Formation Program (pflaumweeklies.com)  And, our Sr. High teens will use a variety of resources starting with Bryan Massingale’s powerful essay “The Assumptions of White Privilege and What We Can Do About It” https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/assumptions-white-privilege-and-what-we-can-do-about-it.  Fr. Massingale draws from his experience as a black Catholic, a theologian, and an activist.  As a reminder, on Saturday, November 13th, Bryan will be at the Paulist Center to accept the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice.  The event will be live-streamed as well.

Jr. High and Sr. High 

And, finally, our teen programs (Jr. High: 7 & 8 graders and Sr. High: 9-12 graders) will happen approximately once a month virtually and in-person depending on the group’s preference once we get started.  Virtual discussions as well as local hikes and cafes are on the agenda.

Classes andSchedules

For Jr. High and Sr. High Teens, the fall schedule looks like this:

October 24 @12:45 pm – FREP Kick-off

November 14 @ 11:15 am – 12:30 pm

December 12 @ 11:15 am – 12:30 pm

To register your child for in-person/outdoor classes, or virtual classes, please use this year’s registration form and indicate whether you are registering for outdoor or virtual classes.

http://www.paulistcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021FREPRegistrationForm.pdf

As a reminder, in terms of curricula for this year, all grades will begin with a 3-session program on racial justice entitled, Deep Blue Life, Anti-Racism: Prejudice and Stereotypes.  DeepBlueLife-FaithandCultureAnti-Racism.pdf (cokesburykids.com)   Afterwards, our youngest members (ages 3-5), will use a new book and curriculum entitled Drawing God written by Karen Kiefer, Director of the Church in the 21st Century at Boston College.  Drawing God (drawing-god.com)  Grades 1-6 as well as the Junior High teens, will continue to use the lectionary-based curriculum, Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. Pflaum Gospel Weeklies – Faith Formation Program (pflaumweeklies.com)  And, our Sr. High teens will use a variety of resources starting with Bryan Massingale’s powerful essay “The Assumptions of White Privilege and What We Can Do About It” https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/assumptions-white-privilege-and-what-we-can-do-about-it.  Fr. Massingale draws from his experience as a black Catholic, a theologian, and an activist.  As a reminder, on Saturday, November 13th, Bryan will be at the Paulist Center to accept the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice.  The event will be live-streamed as well.

Registration is required for these programs. View this year’s registration form to sign up now.

 

For questions, or to learn more about our youth programs, contact Susan Rutkowski.

 

Opportunities for All Ages!

  • Liturgy of the Word for Children

    Between September and May, children at the 10am Sunday Liturgy have the opportunity to hear the Word of God in language they can understand and reflect on in their own words. Adult leaders proclaim the readings from the Lectionary for Masses with Children, a translation that is more comprehensible to young children and approved by the US Catholic Conference of Bishops.

    There are two groups – one for ages 0 to 5 and the other for ages 6-10. A parent must accompany a child in the younger group. The presider calls forth the children following the Opening Prayer, and we send them along with the adult leaders. Once dismissed, the children break into two separate groups for age appropriate activities based on the Sunday Scriptures. The children then return to the chapel at the time of the Offertory to continue to celebrate the Eucharist with the entire assembly.

    There are no gatherings on holiday weekends or weekends with youth liturgical ministry involvement (which means there are approximately two Sundays per month when Liturgy of the Word for Children takes place.)

    This ministry is always in search of adults willing to assist in leading these sessions. Having a love for sharing faith with our younger members of the community is vital. New adult leaders receive training, access to materials, and mentoring by others with experience.

    To get involved, contact Joanne Williams (for ages 0-5) or Bill Soper (for ages 6-10).

  • Religious Education (Grades 1-6)

    Graded class groups (1st-6th grade) gather most Sunday mornings following the 10am Liturgy (11:15-12:15 pm). Adult volunteers teach or assist using Loyola Press’ Finding God series. Parents provide snack and are encouraged to volunteer. Consistent attendance is very important for a fulfilling classroom experience.

    For more information or to get involved, contact Susan Rutkowski. 

  • Junior High Youth Group

    The 7th & 8th grade program meets roughly twice a month following the 10am liturgy (11:15-12:15 pm). Participants will explore topics of faith and everyday living. Social and service opportunities are also available over the course of the year. More information here.

  • Senior High Youth Group

    The Senior High Youth generally gathers twice per month  after 10am Mass (11:15-12:15 pm). The group’s goal is to provide our teens with a forum for conversation on spiritual topics, life, and high school. Participants enjoy a mix of discussions, fun activities, service projects, movies and other events throughout the year.

    More information here.