ELEMENTARY


Grades: 1 through 6 Text: Call To Faith
Harcourt Religion Publishers

"Parents teach powerfully by the way they live and practice their Catholic Christian faith. It is within the family setting more than anywhere else that faith formation takes place." "Parish communities are in partnership with families and build on the foundation laid by parents."
  General Directory of Catechetics


To ensure that faith in families continues to grow, we are committed to creating a deeper partnership between families at home and the parish center. This partnership requires that parents see themselves as the primary faith formers of their children and see the parish as a place where basic faith themes and values are reinforced. When parents are directly involved with passing on the richness of our faith at home and the parish center is doing its job to support parents, then there is a greater likelihood that our children and families will be on fire with the Holy Spirit.

Our curriculum, Call to Faith, is rooted in Scripture and Catholic Tradition and is a springboard for ongoing lifelong catechesis. Scripture is highlighted and integrated into the program's instruction, reflection, sharing and prayer. Each chapter draws on, and instructs in, Church doctrine in ways that help us appreciate how the Church's teachings apply to life today. Call to Faith takes seriously the importance of models and witnesses of faith in the faith development of children (and adults); each chapter tells the story of one person of faith whose life witnesses to the theme. The inclusion of rituals and customs from many communities involve the lived experience and wisdom of the Christian community.

The Call to Faith program also includes access to a website for parents, children and catechists. You can find this web site at www.harcourtreligion.com. Families that do not have Internet access can contact the Faith Formation Staff to get information from the website.

Registration began in May for 2007/2008 Faith Formation. Registration is on a 1st come, 1st served basis for session choices and is on-going throughout the summer months - deadline is September 10, 2007. Extra registration forms are available on the table outside the Faith Formation Office.


Option I: Faith Formation classes

Students meet at St. Joseph the Worker in grade level Faith Communities to learn about God and their Catholic faith through many different means - through their catechists, books, songs, liturgies, prayers, Commandments, Sacraments, Scripture, videos, art/craft projects, etc. Parents are expected to review the lessons presented with their students at home and to ensure they have the opportunity worship with the parish community weekly.

Please Note: When students are assigned to groups, efforts will be made to honor requests (made at the time of registration) for specific catechists or groups. However, we may not be able to accommodate all requests.


Option II: Home Study Faith Formation

Parents of elementary students have the option of fostering faith formation at home. Books and lesson planning aides will be provided. Parents and students are expected to attend four gatherings at the parish during the year with other home study families to meet with the coordinator for assistance with lesson plans, obtain resources, share ideas with other families, and to pray together. Families choosing this option will have access to video, audio and other library resource materials.

Students who wish to celebrate a sacrament must attend Faith Formation at the parish during the year(s) of their preparation for that sacrament. Home study is not available during a sacramental preparation year. Because sacraments are celebrated as a community, it is important that students enter more fully into the life of the parish community during their preparation by attending Faith Formation classes with other students at the parish.


Option III: FEAST - Family Enrichment And Spiritual Togetherness

Parents and students have the option of participating in an intergenerational faith community setting with a coordinator and catechists. This option will provide a unique opportunity for the whole family to grow in their faith together. Sessions will provide time for families to be together and some time for age-appropriate learning. This small faith community will meet God in many different ways - through their catechists, books, songs, liturgies, prayers, Commandments, Sacraments, Scripture, videos, art/craft projects, etc.

Sessions are: Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.


Sacramental Preparation - OCIC
Ongoing Christian Initiation of Children

This process is designed for students who have never been baptized, those who were baptized in another faith tradition who would now like to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church, or those students who have not been participating in the sacramental life of the Church. Parents and students will attend these sessions together with a coordinator and catechists. In their groups the families will meet God in many different ways – through their catechists, books, songs, liturgies, prayers, Commandments, Sacraments, Scripture, videos, art/craft projects, etc.

Sessions are: Tuesdays 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES - All Grades

You will receive the Learning Objectives at the first Faith Formation session. They can also be found on the parish web site on the Learning Objectives page.


First Eucharist - Grade Two

Preparation for the reception of Eucharist is reinforced in grade two. See Sacramental Policies.


First Reconciliation - Grade Four

Reinforcement of preparation for and reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation is included in the Grade Four curriculum. See Sacramental Policies.


2007 - 2008 Elementary Schedule
(for FAITH, FEAST, and OCIC)
October 1, 2, 3
8. 9, 10
15, 16, 17
22, 23, 24
November 5, 6, 7
12, 13, 14
26, 27, 28
December 3, 4, 5
10, 11, 12
17, 18, 19
January 6, 7, 8 Parish Mission (Sun,Mon,Tues),
Families are expected to attend a minimum
of one night with students
 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
14, 15, 16
28, 29, 30
February 4, 5, 6 Ash Wednesday is February 6th
11, 12, 13
18, 19, 20
25, 26, 27
March 3, 4, 5
10, 11, 12
17, 18, 19
Easter is March 23
April 7, 8, 9
14, 15, 16
21, 22, 23
29 Closing celebration for Grades 1-6 Families


Special Dates:
First Reconciliation

 Families choose between February 20 or February 23
First Eucharist
 Families choose between April 26/27, May 3/4,
May 10/11 or May 17/18

Sacramental Parent Nights
Parents Only Night
 First Reconciliation Parents Only Night 10/8 OR
10/11 		7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
First Reconciliation Parents and Child Workshop 1/10 OR
1/17		 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Parents Only Night
 First Eucharist Parents Only Night 2/21 OR
2/25		 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
First Eucharist Parents and Child Workshop 2/11 OR
3/6		 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Special Events for Elementary Students
Individual Reconciliation, Grades 5-8 TBA
Mini Lock-In, Grades 5 & 6 1/18 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Vacation Bible School
 6/16 - 6/20 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
SportsLife Camp 7/14 - 7/17 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm

SportsLife Camp is coming this summer

Mark your calendars for July 14-17, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.!

SportsLife Camp is an outrageously fun camp where kids going into 4th, 5th or 6th grades will get excited about Jesus! At SportsLife Camp, kids will experience an amazing week of sports, arts, and Outrageous FUN! Campers will choose from a variety of sports “main events”, such as basketball and street hockey, ultimate Frisbee and soccer, cheerleading and dance, and an arts extravaganza. “Side shows” include break dancing, hacky sack, obstacle courses and more! Registration information will be forthcoming in April. Check out the SportsLife Camps website, www.sportslifecamps.com, for more information about this exciting camp!

Vacation Bible School

Our 2008 summer VBS program will be held during the morning hours, June 16 through 20.

Children in Grades K - 5 (2008-2009 School Year) are invited to participate in activities that include music, crafts, games, skits, Bible exploration, and snacks.

Registration for our 2008 Vacation Bible School, begins in April. The fee is $45.00 per child – includes a t-shirt – $35.00 for children with an adult family member serving as volunteers. Please register early to be guaranteed a t-shirt for your child, and to help us in planning for the week.

There are opportunities for adults young and old, and Junior and Senior High teens, to serve in many areas of ministry to make this program successful for our children.

Information about how to get involved and register children will be available in April 2008. Early registration is encouraged as this program fills up quickly.

If you would like to become involved as a volunteer, or need further information, please contact one of the co-chairpersons, Kari Hovorka at 763-205-3807 or Chris Smith, at 763-553-7737.


Q: What is VBS? I know it stands for Vacation Bible School, but what is it, REALLY?

VBS is a week long program that is FUN for kids because it teaches them about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in a fun-filled atmosphere at a level they can understand. For two hours a day our children participate in a variety of sessions, each one geared toward reinforcing the “daily bible point” for that day. Sessions include songs, games, crafts, story-telling, snacks and an adventure theater.

Q: What is the “Program” I keep hearing about and where does it come from?

The “program” is a pre-tested professional Vacation Bible School Program that is distributed nationwide. Each year the company tests the next years’ program in the field, making necessary adjustments and fine-tuning the details. We purchase the program in January as a complete kit. Our Chair and Co-Chair review the materials and distribute as needed to our Session Leaders and other volunteers. Because it comes complete we have very little development needs thus making it easier for volunteers to participate and for us to be creative in tailoring it to our parish.

Q? Sounds simple enough, but what is a typical VBS day for my child?

Before the week of VBS begins, each child is assigned to a “Crew” and each Crew has a Crew Leader, thus making a “Crew Family”. Letters are sent home indicating the Crew number and the Crew Leader names so that everyone can be prepared upon their first day of arrival at VBS. Throughout the week of VBS, the Crews make their way through each session in a hands-on, participation based way that really works! Each day ends with a song – putting smiles on the kids faces as well as in their hearts!

Q: Tell me more about the Crew and how they are formed.

A Crew is a group of elementary aged children grouped together for the week of VBS. Each crew is lead by a volunteer Crew Leader, either an adult or a teen/youth from our parish. In each Crew we try to have one child from each age level in order to better reflect our “family” life. Crew Leaders aren’t “teachers”, rather they help keep everyone involved and interested in the sessions each day.

Q: Why do our Fourth and Fifth Graders get grouped in a crew with the younger-aged kids who are in Kindergarten or First Grade?

At first glance it may not make any sense because we are so used to having our children grouped by age in schools, in faith formation, and so on. However, the VBS program we use is developed specifically with the intention to group multi-aged children together in order to reflect our faith society as one of “family”. This “family theme” is really a cornerstone to this program – where older children are able to help and guide the younger children – and where the younger children learn by example from our older children.

Q: I’m not trained to volunteer for VBS - is that okay?

Yes! The great part is that we provide all the training you need to be effective. Because this program comes to us pre-packaged, there is very little we need to create or develop. All we ask is that volunteers show their commitment, a love of God, and a willingness to work with children! Due to Archdiocesan and parish requirements, all volunteers must have a background check which will be completed at no charge to the volunteer.

Q: Can I volunteer for just part of the week or to help setup?

Yes, we need help in many areas to make VBS successful. We understand that schedules may inhibit participation all week long. We could always use help in our preparation. Or, we could use volunteers to “fill in” when another volunteer can’t make it for a day. And then there is cleanup! We could use help getting our building back in shape at week’s end.

Q: Do I need to pre-register my children or can we show up on the first day?

We ask that everyone pre-register so that we can order the necessary supplies for crafts, games, and snacks. Our session leaders work hard to prepare for each day with their supplies based upon our registration numbers, so please plan to pre-register.

Q: Why is our VBS held in June and not in July or August?

We have found that June is the best month for two reasons: 1) VBS requires a lot of space and the whole building is available in June for our use; and 2) our volunteers are typically more readily able to help because there is less conflict with family vacations and other summer events. Preparation, work nights, and training all take place before summer is in full swing thus making it easier for volunteers to participate.

Q: I have additional questions – whom may I call?

Please feel free to call either Lisa Maliszewski at 763-425-9801, or the Chair or Co-Chair.


Catechist Meetings

VIRTUS - Protecting God's Children

Fall 2007 Sessions at St. Joseph the Worker

Tuesday, August 28, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 20, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Monday, October 1, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Monday, October 29, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

If you are not able to attend one of the above sessions held at St. Joseph the Worker's, check the St. Paul-Minneapolis Archdiocese's website, www.archspm.org and click on VIRTUS - Protecting God's Children for other sessions available. This session is required for all working with children and vulnerable adults.


Elementary Catechist Inservices

Returning catechists may choose one of the following dates:
Thursday, September 6 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Monday, September 17 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 18 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

New Catechists may choose one of the following dates:
Tuesday, September 25 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 26 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Winter Inservice for All Catechists
Thursday, January 3 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Year End Party for All Catechists
Wednesday, May 7 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

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