Youth Faith Formation

Greetings Families!

As the sun sets sooner and back-to-school supplies loom large in store aisles, we, here at the Center, are in full planning mode for the fall. The big news is that, as of right now, we will be back in person for our religious ed and sacramental classes this year! Our fall kick-off mass for religious education is September 25th at 10 am! We will bless our children and teachers and classes will take place at 11:15 am that day. Parents will be happy to know that the first community coffee in two years will also happen that day immediately following the 10 am mass down in our auditorium!

All of us on staff are excited to welcome back our kiddos – young and old – to support and encourage children and teens as they live, pray and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Our families and kiddos are front and center as we re-imagine and re-vision after two years of virtual programming. Our goal is to support their faith formation of the Catholic Christian as a spiritual, moral, and discerning person, and to form adults who are fully prepared to lead a life of discipleship in Christ. Religious Education is a way of developing conscious and active participation in the worship, service and mission of the church.

An important goal for me as the Pastoral Minister of Religious Education, is to be a catalyst in creating a culture of purposeful, passionate, and proactive people of God who are united around a common vision of teaching the children of our community about the rich nature (and challenges) of what it means to be a Catholic. I want to communicate the “why” of teaching children, to communicate a ministry strategy that doesn’t overwhelm people and to create a culture of believers who are passionate to serve according to their giftedness and abilities because they purposefully serve God in strengthening the faith of others. If God is calling you to this ministry, please be in touch. You can read my pastoral reflection from a recent missive that helps frame this goal a bit more.

WHAT’S NEW THIS YEAR?
Intergenerational Catechesis: This year we are introducing intergenerational catechesis for families/community members on a monthly basis! We know and have seen how children grow in their faith through conversations and activities with their peers as well as trusted adults in the community. Our lectionary-based curriculum along with educational programming of an urgent social justice issue will provide a forum of rich faith sharing and growth. These sessions will take place in our auditorium along with lunch and a subsequent service project. We hope you will join us for faith sharing, companionship and service.

Emphasis on a lectionary-based curriculum: A silver lining of pandemic programming is discovering Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. Pflaum Gospel Weeklies is a systematic liturgical catechetical program centered in Jesus Christ. The program interweaves the seasons and celebrations of the Liturgical Year with the doctrine of the Catholic Church. The curriculum promotes and holistically presents family catechesis and exposure to the Sunday Gospels. This curriculum was a hit with teachers and children of our virtual programming and we are excited to bring it to our classrooms this year.

TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES:
To register your child(ren) for formal religious education classes (grades 1-6), sacramental preparation classes (First Communion and First Reconciliation) or our Jr. High (7th & 8th grades) and Sr. High Youth Groups (9th-12th grades) at the Center, please click here. Now that we are back in person, the registration fee will return to $150 for each family (not for each child). This fee covers the curriculum materials, supplies for the classroom and other expenses for additional family-related events. You may pay online via our website and choose the Family Ministry Program Payments category at the bottom) or send in a check with your registration form. Please see the 2022-2023 fall/winter schedule below.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the information above, please contact Susan Rutkowski at susan@paulistcenter.org or 617-948-2426. All of the staff look forward to the return and engagement with all of the wonderful kiddos at the Paulist Center! Look forward to seeing you soon!

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

Religious Education Classes at the Paulist Center 2022-2023

September 25^th – Kick off liturgy/blessing of children and teachers – 10 am mass. Community Coffee immediately following mass.
September 25^th – 1^st week of classes (11:15 am – 12:15 pm)
October 2^nd – Regular Class (11:15 am – 12:15 pm)
October 9^th – OFF/COLUMBUS DAY WEEKEND
October 16^th – Intergenerational Class for FREP children/families on Racial Justice (Refreshments 11:00 – 11:30 am. Program 11:30 am – 12:30 pm/Break/Service Project 12:45-1:30 pm)
October 23^rd – Regular Class
October 30^th – Regular Class
November 6^th – Intergenerational Class for FREP children/families on Racial Justice (Refreshments 11:00 – 11:30 am. Program 11:30 am – 12:30 pm/Break/Service Project 12:45-1:30 pm)
November 13^th – OFF/VETERAN’S DAY WEEKEND
November 20^th – Regular Class
November 27^th – OFF/THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
December 4^th – Regular Class
December 11^th – Regular Class
December 18^th – Regular Class
December 25^th– OFF/CHRISTMAS
January 1^st – OFF/NEW YEAR’S DAY
January 8^th – Regular Class
January 15^th – OFF/MLK, JR. WEEKEND
January 22^nd – Intergenerational Class for FREP children/families on Racial Justice (Refreshments 11:00 – 11:30 am. Program 11:30 am – 12:30 pm/Break/Service Project 12:45-1:30 pm)
January 29^th – OFF/1^ST COMMUNION PREP SUNDAY
February 5^th – Regular Class
February 12^th – Regular Class
February 19 & 26 – OFF/WINTER BREAK
March 5th – Intergenerational Class for FREP children/families on Racial Justice (Refreshments 11:00 – 11:30 am. Program 11:30 am – 12:30 pm/Break/Service Project 12:45-1:30 pm)
March 12th – Regular Class
March 19th – Regular Class
March 26th – Intergenerational Class for FREP children/families on Racial Justice (Refreshments 11:00 – 11:30 am. Program 11:30 am – 12:30 pm/Break/Service Project 12:45-1:30 pm)
April 2nd – Regular Class
April 9th – OFF/EASTER
April 16 – OFF/SPRING BREAK
April 23 – Regular Class
April 30th – Only Confirmation Teens meet
May 7th – OFF/WALK FOR HUNGER
May 14 – 1^st Communion @ 10 am Mass/Reception (No regular classes due to 1^st Communion)
May 21st – Last regular class, Parent Meeting and End of year FREP Party in Auditorium
June 10 – Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation @ 5 PM Mass

Junior High & Senior High Youth Groups (11:15 am – 1:00 pm)

October 2^nd
October 16th
November 6th
November 20th
December 11th
January 8th
January 22nd
February 5th
March 5th
March 19th
March 26th
April 2nd
April 30th
May 21st – FREP Party after 10 am mass

Confirmation Class 2022-2023: 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM

Parents/Teen Zoom Meeting – Weds, October 12th @ 7 pm (via zoom)
October 23rd – 1^st class in person/team-building event at Escape Room Boston
November 6th
November 20th
December 4th
December 18th
January 8th
January 22nd
February 5th
March 5th
March 19th
April 2nd
April 30th
May 21st – last class
June 3rd – Rehearsal in chapel: 12 noon
June 10th – Celebration of the Sacrament @ the 5 PM Mass

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.