Faith Formation in 2020
We can’t give up! Our need for Jesus is unchanged. It may be quietly, but our children are playing ball, visiting friends – Being a disciple needs to be part of the mix – God is calling our bluff – is our faith real? How can we bring Jesus to where they are? How do we reach them?
What are your goals of faith formation? My goal students to grow in prayer, knowledge, service so that they are living their relationship with Jesus. Specific focus for this year??? Pick a theme – Sacraments, the Mass, the Creed, the Bible, Works of Mercy, Virtues, the Rosary… Contact info – e-mail, text, Facebook, Instagram, website… If they are not in Mass, a bulletin announcement is ineffective Calendar!!! Topics Parents are the primary educators of their children – Do I really plan as if that was true? What would I do different if I trusted parents? This is probably the year for the leap.
Short phrases to state the topic for each class, but having this planned out will make my life tons easier if we have to go between in- person and distance realities
Elementary thoughts Using traditional materials, calendar so that each student knows what lesson to do each week. Each student does workbook and lesson at home or in- person classes. Combination of virtual classes using google meets, zoom, or other platform with at home lessons Thinking outside the box to aim for the goals differently - enabling parents to take full leadership in teaching and forming their children and supporting their needs
Outside-the-box exploring Family focused – A hope and ideas… Goal 1: Structured family prayer – regular, organized, unique Meals, Bedtime, Other times, format & plan that is personal & adaptable Goal 2: Catechetical – podcasts, videos, stories, books 2-4 podcasts, other links and downloads, library exchanges Goal 3: Liturgical at home – Celebrations & Symbolism Celebrations, décor, activities .. Let the rhythm of the church shape life Goal 4: Life of service – laundry to food drives and more Families serve all the time within the home and beyond. Identify it. Brainstorm options to achieve goals without meeting once a week… Maybe a family class in person or in zoom once a month… maybe more commission parents to run a “monastery” with a balance of work, play, prayer… What can organically fit into a life of discipleship? Resources for family support – once a month box of supplies?
Building a library We have so many resources that are really good – great books to read to our kids and for them to read. Graphic novels, historical fiction, complete fiction with great imagination. What can we put in their hands at home?
Games to play & stuff to listen to Books Stuff we may put in family boxes to have for a month and utilize to integrate faith into everyday living.
JH/HS Youth Ministry Need for fellowship & connection Regular Times to Connect are very important Listen & Support Zoom & Google Meets Empower – Bible Study groups, leadership, virtual presence, teaching, personal study, prayer pals, tech support – Do each of your students have a Bible? Zoom perks – games, guests, break-out rooms, on-line resources together (tour the Holy Sepulcher, check out Eucharistic miracles…) Have fun! Change backgrounds, charades, ask students Phone calls & text check-in (be present , make ‘em laugh, care)
Sacramental Prep 1 st Holy Communion & Reconciliation zoom or google meets Dynamic Catholic Blessed Videos Workbooks and prep materials at home Pray we can be in-person this spring for retreats and focused preparation Confirmation 5 classes hopefully in-person otherwise zoom or google meets Service – Full membership means giving back Reading/listening assignments Pray we can be in-person this spring for retreat Students who prepared this past year need to stay involved and attend the retreat if we are able to have one
Special Events/Projects All Saints book instead of party? Christmas video instead of play? Cards & letters instead of greeting at Mass? Leading on-line prayer? How can you move your parish ‘traditions’ to a new format? Stations of the Cross? Living Rosary?
God is working in places we can’t see Keep yourself grounded in prayer. Don’t quench the Spirit. Work & Trust
Resources: (the internet is so full of resources that filtering through them is part of the DRE job – to make things manageable for families) Videos On-Line (screen share during zoom meetings, can be “assigned” or suggested as resources for parents to use at their convenience - if you have FORMED there are lots of resources!) Holy Heroes https://www.holyheroes.com/MassPrep-s/57.htm Sunday Mass prep – 3-4 minutes video – excellent to screen share to discuss weekend gospel EWTN kids programming: https://ondemand.ewtn.com/#childrens (for families, or to share segments) Blessed Reconciliation & Communion Prep https://dynamiccatholic.com/blessed/program- view/ All the video segments for the 1 st Communion & Reconciliation sessions. Podcasts: (encourage regular use for family catechesis especially when driving or for routine times like doing dishes): Catholic Sprouts (5 minutes daily blogs – good driving/routine listening every day for elem.) https://catholicsprouts.com/podcast-archives/ Fr. Mike Schmitz https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension- podcasts/frmikepodcast/ Renovo by Doug Tooke https://renovopodcast.com/author/doug/ Word on Fire with Bishop Barron https://www.wordonfireshow.com/ For food & “living liturgically” (like when we celebrate Christmas or decorate Easter Eggs, but our church has lots more feasts to celebrate): Catholic Cuisine – lots of food for celebrations https://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/search/label/08%20August Shower of Roses – party/life thoughts for feasts and seasons of the church (and great book recommendations) https://www.showerofrosesblog.com/p/liturgical-feasts-and-seasons.html Liturgical Living - https://catholicallyear.com/ Can order book or subscribe to get blogs Book lists: Story time St. Felix and the Spider – Dessi Jackson (author also has The Saint and his Bees, St. Clare and her Cat, Nikola and the Monk and more) St. John Bosco and His Big Gray Dog by Hayley Medeiros (author also has St. Ignatius of Loyola and His Wise Horse – will be in my next order!) The Queen and the Cats, a St. Helena story by Calee M. Lee The Queen and the Cross, the story of St. Helena by Cornelia Bilinski I Went to Mass What did I see? By Katie Warner (author also has Fr. Ben Gets ready for Mass, Cloud of Witnesses) My Little Book of Patrons by Katie Baklinski Mozart Gift of God by Demi Stories of the Blessed Sacrament by Francine Bay God is Really Good by Bill Johnson Snow on Martinmas by Heather Slightholm A Boy who Became Pope – Fabiola Garza Take & Eat by Jared Dees
2 nd -4 th gradeish reading level – most of these are series Sisters of the Last Straw – by Karen Kelly Boyce Chime Travelers -- Lisa Hendey Gospel Trekkers -- Maria Grace Detano Prince Martin by Brandon Hale Saints and Friendly Beasts Series - Eva K Betz Graphic Novels ST. Therese of Avila by Yoon Song -i St. Clare of Assisi by Kim Hee-Ju St. Francis of Assisi by Toni Matas St. Bernadette & St. Joan of Arc - Brunor Our Lady of Guadalupe by Natalie Muglia Saints Chronicles Collection (Sophia Institute Press) Upper Elementary/JH By Nancy Carabio Belanger – Olivia and the Little Way, Olivia’s Gift, The Gate Lots of options by Louis De Wohl and look at the Vision Series Author -- Mary Fabyan Windeatt – Saint Biographies John Beahn – A Rich Young Man, A Man of Good Zeal, A Man Born Again, A Man Cleansed by God A Single Bead by Stephanie Engelman I started with most of my recommendations from Shower of Roses book lists https://www.showerofrosesblog.com/p/books-books-books.html
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