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Christian Formation - Child Ministry
Parents – Children – Catechists
Working Together in Faith and God’s Love.
Christian Formation Catechesis is built on the 4 pillars of the Catholic Faith.
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The Profession of Faith - What Catholics Believe
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The Celebration of the Christian Mystery - How Catholics Worship
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Life in Christ - How Catholics Live
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Christian Prayer - How Catholics Pray
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Themes from these areas are built into each grade level.
GRADE K4
This program is for 4 year olds. It isbased on the belief that young children need to develop positive self-concepts. We provide religious experiences that help children form Christian attitudes about themselves and others, along with enjoyable opportunities and activities to respond with Christian actions.
GRADES K5 through 6
“Blest Are We” series
GRADE K5
Children learn about God and their Catholic Faith. 5 year olds have an innate sense of wonder and awe. This year provides opportunities to see God in nature, see God through people, and see God through stories and through celebration. We also want young students to realize God gave us Jesus who came to teach us about God’s love for us.
GRADE 1
We belong to Jesus’ Church. Spend the year discovering God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Conclude that we are all the church and want to live like Jesus.
GRADE 2
Keeping with the theme of church, we study Baptism; introduce Reconciliation and then 1st Communion. During this year, the Mass is the main focus – Scripture (the Word of God), the gift of 1st Communion (Jesus dying for us) and how we need to go out into the world and use these gifts to help others.
GRADE 3
This year we build on the themes of the Mass, forgiveness and service to others. The main focus is Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. Students will be encouraged to learn and understand the beliefs stated in the Apostles Creed.
GRADE 4
All of our moral teaching stems from the fact that we learn goodness from God who is the perfect good. This year students are introduced to the 10 Commandments, the Beatitudes, and the Corporal Works of Mercy. The Our Father, the Lord’s Prayer, is the underlying theme used to bind all of these new concepts together.
GRADE 5
Sacraments are sacred signs that help us draw closer to God. They help us see God in all people and things. We receive life-giving grace through the Sacraments.
GRADE 6
Study of the Bible begins this year as students explore the Old Testament. Beginning with the story of Abraham and Sarah, and then moving into the Book of Exodus with Moses and Joshua. History plays a vital role in the kingdom of Israel, Samuel and Saul, the Ark of the Covenant, and King David. Touching on the Book of Psalms, finally ending with the Maccabean revolt. This brings us to the time of the Jews right before Jesus was born.
SERVICE IDEAS FOR CLASROOMS
FOCUS: Our mission is “Being Christ to Others”
We meet Christ, know Christ, live Christ and take Christ to others.
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September |
New or gently read children’s books / new backpacks
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South side Catholic schools |
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October |
Food Boxes for Thanksgiving and Christmas |
House of Peace |
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November/December |
Clean & gently used winter coats/jackets, boots, mittens, hats and scarves |
Southside Catholic schools |
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March |
Lenten Project TBA |
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April |
Easter Baskets |
Southside Catholic schools |
*We are striving to develop a relationship with the parishes of St. Adalbert, San Rafael, Prince of Peace, St. Anthony, and St. Josephat.
PERTINENT INFORMATION
1. LOCATIONS
Christian Formation sessions are held in the classrooms of St. Alphonsus School for Grades K4 - 6. The Christian Formation Program has an office, Room 316, 3rd floor in the St. Alphonsus School building. This office is open during Gr. K4 to Gr. 6 sessions on Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening.. During normal work hours, the program Directors have offices on the 2nd floor of the Parish Ministry Center (PMC).
2. MAILING ADDRESS/PHONE
The mailing address for the Christian Formation Program is:
St. Alphonsus Christian Formation Office
5960 West Loomis Road
Greendale,WI 53129-1824
Parish Ministry Center office: 421-0690 (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM)
FAX: 414-421-8744 WEB:www.st-alphonsus.org
CF office telephone in school– When classes are in session,
Sunday and Wednesday, C. F. Phone: 421-1760 ext. 810
Sun8:30-10:30 AM and 6-8 PM; Wed. 6:00-8:00 PM
3. ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance at classes is presumed. In the event of an absence, please call
the Christian Formation office during office hours, 421-0690, or at the time
classes are in session, 421-1760 ext. 810.
For grades K4 through 6 the child is responsible to complete the work they missed.
For grades 7 through 11 will be required to make-up sessions.
4. REGISTRATION/TUITION/FEES
St. Alphonsus Christian Formation complies with the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Policy #5110, which states: “The parish respects the dignity of the child. Neither race, nationality, nor other forms of discrimination will prevent a child from being accepted in the Catholic school or Religious Education programs.
Each April, registration begins for parents to register their child(ren) for the next year. A Registration Fee is required with the form to enroll students for the coming year. Tuition for Christian Formation is $100 per student with additional fees for sacraments, $70 for 2nd grade Reconciliation/Communion.. Financial Aid is available and approved on a case-by-case basis.
Parishioners are persons who have registered at the St. Alphonsus parish office, received a Parish Identification Number, have completed and returned a stewardship pledge card, and have honored that pledge to the best of their ability. Stewardship, for the coming year, is pledged in September. It is critical at this time for you as a faith-filled Catholic to support our church and especially your parish. Failure to comply as a parishioner with this policy will mean an additional charge of $100 per child.
5. HOMEWORK
As is typical of any education program, homework may be assigned. It is most important to discuss with your child what they are learning because if you are interested in what he/she is learning this will provide the necessary carryover from our classroom to your home. Students in Grades K4-6 will bring home a “What We Did Today” sheet. Watch for special leaflets, flyers and information that will be sent home periodically.
6. PERMISSION SLIPS
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee requires us to fill out a legal permission slip for all off-campus activities. A permission slip will accompany any off-campus event and there is one in the student’s folder to copy and use. Slips must be filled out in advance of any trips and must be returned completely filled out in order for your child(ren) to be able to participate in any scheduled off-campus activity.
7. FINAL EXAM/PROGRAM EVALUATION
Faith development cannot be evaluated through testing. However, it is necessary to determine if the educational process has successfully increased the student's knowledge of the Catholic faith. A final exam covering different concepts will be given in all grades beginning with Grade 1. An exam is included in each student’s folder.
8. HOME SCHOOLING
Parents may choose to home school their children. The parish will provide materials for Grades 1 thru 10. Students playing on St. Alphonsus sport teams must also participate in significant community involvement. Tuition responsibility is the same as if the child(ren) were in regular C.F. classes. Upon completion of our exam at the end of the year and the return of the teaching materials, student workbook and finished test, by Palm Sunday, you will receive a $25.00 refund of tuition.
9. ATHLETICS & ELIGIBILITY
Students who wish to play on St. Alphonsus Volleyball or Basketball team leagues starting in the 5th grade may do so provided they are registered and participating in the Christian Formation program on a regular basis. Poor attendance or poor behaviors are grounds for not being allowed on a St. Al’s sport team. In order to participate, all athletes will be required to have the “Athletic Eligibility Form”, included in the student folder or available in the C.F. office, signed by your public school guidance counselor and given to the Christian Formation Director before the 1st game.
10. SCOUT RELIGIOUS AWARDS
The Boy and Girl Scout program both offer special religious awards at different stages of a student’s development. Whether you belong to a St. Alphonsus organization or a public school one, we can still help you to receive these awards.
11. VISITORS
Parents are most welcome to visit classrooms during class time. As a courtesy to the catechist, please arrange the visit with the Director. Children ordinarily are not allowed to bring friends to class. Exceptions are made only with permission from the Director prior to arriving on parish grounds.
12. ENTRANCE/DISMISSAL
We ask parents of students in grades K, 1 and 2 to both bring their children up to the classroom and pick them up afterwards from the classroom afterwards. Older students may come and go on their own but parents should be aware that it gets dark early and our parking lot is not supervised. No matter how long Mass runs on Sunday, students do not need to be picked up until the Mass is completely over.
13. WEATHER
In the event of inclement weather or hazardous driving conditions, an announcement of class cancellation will be made on WISN (1130 AM) and WTMJ (620 AM) or on TV - Channel 12.It is also posted on their websites as well as our website. If St. Alphonsus day school or Greendale schools are closed for weather, Christian Formation classes are automatically closed too. Catechists will also attempt to call students in case of a cancellation.
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