August 2009

 

Dear St. Paul and St. Veronica K5 – Grade 6 Religious Education Families:

 

Welcome to our new families and welcome back to returning families. It seems like just yesterday that classes ended in the spring.

 

Program Format – Included with this letter is a schedule of classes. Classes are held in both the school building at St. Paul and the school building of St. Veronica. Where your child attends depends upon your parish affiliation. At St. Paul we will be using two lower level classrooms and Glowinski Hall. Use the Placek Hall entrance located off the parking lot. St. Veronica classes will be in the regular school classrooms. Use the gym entrance on the west end of the parking lot.

            Classes include both instruction time and worship. Classes at both parishes will begin at 9am and conclude with Mass (10:15am at St. Paul and 10:30am at St. Veronica). Parents will come to the pews to pick up their students after Mass. Children will not be allowed to leave the church without an adult. Please check the calendar for the dates your child will attend. Note that the Family Days may not be on your regularly scheduled weekend because there will be a Family Day at each site.

 

Folder Pickup- Sunday, September 13, we will have folder pickup immediately following the 10:15 Mass at St. Paul or 10:30 Mass at St. Veronica. At St. Paul we will be in the south vestibule of the church.

At St. Veronica we will be in Johnson Hall. Families who are pre-registered are asked to stop and pick up your folder which will include the program handbook, children’s room number and other materials. New families will be able to register at that time.

 

Additional Catechists/Aides – We may still be in need of

(1) Second grade teacher for St. Veronica.

(1) 5&6 grade teacher for St. Paul. (Using the 5th grade curriculum this year)

Also, parents or youth interested in being classroom aides are welcome. Please contact Karen to if you would like to assist.

 

Sacramental Preparation - For parents with children who will be preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist, you will be receiving separate letters and registration materials for Sacramental preparation. The programs incorporate both Religious Formation students and STAA students. Sessions are offered at both parish sites. Watch for the forms later in August.

 

Sunday Morning Office Volunteers – Would you like to meet other parents and help your program? Parents are invited to stay in the Religious Formation office (St. Veronica) or Plasek Hall (St. Paul) during the class period. These volunteers cut out materials, collect attendance charts, drink coffee, and just get to know each other. If you are new to the program or the parish, it is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the parents of your child’s classmates. Resources are also available for adults to read or check out.

 

Installment Payments – Families who are paying tuition using the installment plan are reminded the tuition balance must be paid by October 1, 2009.

 

Christian Formation Committees – The purpose of the Christian Formation committees of St. Paul and St. Veronica is to oversee the Formation offerings. The committee meets once per month on the 3rd Wednesday at 7pm. We want to broaden the membership of the committees so that we represent all areas of the parish including elementary, youth, young adult, couples, single adults and seniors. New members bring new ideas which will strengthen our programs and parish. We do not know all of the parish needs unless they are voiced by the parishioners. If you would be interested in being part of this planning group, please contact the Religious Education office.

 

STAA Athletics –St. Thomas Aquinas Academy and the six collaborative parishes offer an athletic program which includes Volleyball, Basketball, Football, Soccer and Cheerleading. Check the website http://www.thomasaquinasacademy.com/athletics.htm or watch the parish bulletins for more information including signup forms and uniform pickup information.

 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word – Both St. Paul and St. Veronica parishes offer Liturgy of the Word with Children twice per month. This program is meant for children between the ages of 4 – 10. This is a great way for your child to hear the Gospel message in age appropriate language. Children do not need to be in Religious Education to participate. St. Paul will hold the sessions on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. St. Veronica will hold the sessions on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.

Parent volunteers are needed. At St. Paul, you can participate with the current volunteers and learn to lead the group. At St. Veronica, you can volunteer to read the Scripture or offer discussion with the children. The volunteers only choose the weekends which fit their schedule and volunteer for as few as once every two months. Resources are given to help prepare your session. Please consider participating at either parish in this easy yet rewarding activity. Call Karen, 481-0777 to volunteer or for more information.

 

Sexual Abuse Awareness Requirements – All of the catechists and aides who work with your children have attended the mandated abuse awareness session. Parents are encouraged to consider attending this one time session. Excellent information to keep children safe is offered. The volunteers have also had a criminal background check and read the Code of Ethical Standards.

Also, each grade level is required to hold one age appropriate session on some abuse related topic. For those sessions, a parent MUST attend with the child. DATES ARE GIVEN ON THE SCHEDULE. Families who choose not to participate must complete a form indicating that you do not want your child to participate. If you would like to attend the adult training, go online to the website www.archmil.org.

 

Elijah Cup Traveling Vocations Chalice (St. Veronica) – St. Veronica parish has begun a ministry to increase prayers for Vocations. All parish households are encouraged to sign up to receive the chalice for one week. Religious Families are especially invited to participate by going to God’s Cozy Corner (parish library) and choosing a weekend to receive the chalice or calling me to register. It would be fun to collect it on a weekend when your child attends Mass with their classmates. The chalice must be returned by Noon on the Thursday of the week so that the next family can be contacted. See the bulletin or the signup sheet in the library for more information.

 

If you have questions or would like to offer your talents, please call my office, 481-0777.

 

See you in September!

 

 

 

Karen Bushman

Director of Elementary Religious Formation

St. Paul and St. Veronica Parishes