PRE-SCHOOL
| 3, 4, 5 YEAR OLDS |
Text: Pflaum Gospel Weeklies |
| AND KINDERGARTNERS |
Pflaum Publishing Group |
"Pflaum Gospel Weeklies" is a lectionary-based approach to children’s catechesis. Lectionary-based catechesis coordinates the instruction of children with the liturgical seasons and feasts that the church community celebrates. Each week, children receive colorful booklets that include lively, age-appropriate, hands-on activities to complete in small groups and at home with their families. Three and four year-olds use the Seeds booklets, and kindergarten children use the Promise booklets. The learning is age-appropriate and focuses on the lectionary readings as a way to connect the children’s faith formation with the church community at Sunday liturgy.
Content - There is a beautiful simplicity to a small child's faith, and we would be overzealous if we tried to complicate it with truths and explanations beyond their capacity. Our Preschool Program is a structured group time and prayer experience in which the students learn an awareness of God's creative goodness, and develop a sense of personal uniqueness and worth. Students are introduced to God, our loving Creator, Jesus, the Bible and prayer as our response to God's love.
Students attend sessions during weekend Liturgy hours. Students meet in their small group rooms where they learn about the readings of the day. The program is offered at the 5:00 p.m. Saturday Liturgy, the 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday Liturgies beginning October 6/7, 2007.
Students are encouraged to bring in food items for the C.R.O.S.S. food shelf each week, and once a month students will process into the Worship Space during the Presentation of the Gifts to share their gifts of food. Students also participate in other Social Justice projects, such as donating newborn items for A Community Caring for Life, and Birthday Boxes for the families that use area food shelves.
Parents are the primary faith formers of their children. Formal faith formation builds on the faith within the family. In an atmosphere of loving concern and living faith, the young child will grow up in the knowledge and love of God. Our program is designed to foster the child's growth in faith and develop a positive sense of belonging to a church community. Our curriculum provides the ideal base to communicate as families about our faith. We offer a positive, active environment for children while their parents worship with the parish community. Together, we can begin to form the framework for life-long Christian attitudes and values.
Parents are encouraged to check for updates on the bulletin board outside the Faith Formation office.
Catechists/Aides - Small groups are taught by enthusiastic team catechists and aides. Group sizes are limited, and are based on the three age levels outlined below.
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We offer group sessions at three levels
Please sign students up based on the age they are as of September 1, 2007.
| Seeds 3: |
Children must be three by September 1, 2007. |
| Seeds 4: |
Children must be four by September 1, 2007. If you hold your child back from kindergarten this level may be taken twice. |
| Promise 5: |
All children in this group should be attending kindergarten. |
Parents: Students remain in their small groups while you attend Liturgy. Please arrive about 10 minutes prior to Liturgy, and do not remove your student from their small group until Liturgy has ended. Removing students early can be disruptive and cause anxiety to the remaining students. Please give prior notice to your student's catechist and/or the Preschool Coordinator in the unlikely event that you need to leave early.
Parents must remain in the building while their student is in their small group. Thank you for your support and understanding. Please contact the Faith Formation Office at 763-425-9801 or email lisam@sjtw.net if you have further needs or questions.
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2007/2008
PRE-SCHOOL SCHEDULE
October
|
6/7
13/14
27/28
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January
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12/13
19/20
26/27
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November
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3/4
10/11
17/18
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February
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2/3
9/10
23/24
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December
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1/2
8/9
15/16
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March
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1/2
8/9
15/16
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|
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April
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5/6
12/13
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Dates to Remember:
December 15 – Christmas Program Rehearsal
December 22 – Christmas Program
February 9/10 – Baby Shower for A Community Caring For Life (ACCL)
April 12/13 – Birthday Party In A Bag Weekend
The first full weekend of each month is "Food Shelf Weekend". Students are asked to bring a non-perishable food item, in a non-breakable box or can, to donate to our local food shelf. Students carry their offerings into the Worship Space during the regular Offertory procession.
Christmas Program Information
Christmas Program Practice
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Saturday December 15, 2007
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Practice for children in the Saturday 5 p.m. & Sunday 8:30 a.m. sessions begins at 9:30 a.m.
Practice for children in the Sunday 10:30 a.m. sessions begins at 11:00 a.m.
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| Christmas Program Practice |
Saturday December 22, 2007 |
The program for children in the Sunday 10:30 a.m. sessions begins at 9:30 a.m.
The program for children in the Saturday 5 p.m. & Sunday 8:30 a.m. sessions begins at 11:00 a.m.
Our Christmas Program consists of songs presented by our preschoolers, along with a special portrayal of the Christmas Story presented by our Promise 5's.
Please note that there are no regularly scheduled Preschool Sessions the weekend of the Christmas program.
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2007/2008 Cathechist Information
Our small groups are led by a large team of dedicated volunteer catechists. Our program would not be the success it is today without these phenomenal people! We are always looking for catechists and substitute catechists. If this is something that is appealing to you, please call the Faith Formation Office at 763-425-9801 or email lisam@sjtw.net. Below you will find the calendar of Pre-School Inservices for 2007-2008. All catechists must attend these sessions, as they are a way to organize our weekly lesson plans, and also to touch base with each other and the Pre-School Coordinator.
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Pre-School Catechist Inservices
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| Sunday, September 16, 2007 |
9:30 a.m. |
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OR
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| Sunday, September 23, 2007 |
9:30 a.m. |
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| Thursday, January 3, 2008 |
6:30 p.m. |
Catechists Dates to Remember:
December 15 – Christmas Program Rehearsal
5:00 pm and 8:30 am classes will rehearse at 9:30, and 10:30 am classes will rehearse at 11:00 am. Catechists should plan on arriving 15-20 minutes prior to the rehearsal time. Students will meet in their small groups first in the classrooms.
December 22 – Christmas Program
5:00 pm and 8:30 am classes will perform at 9:30 a.m., and 10:30 am classes will perform at 11:00 a.m. Catechists should plan on arriving 30-45 minutes early, students will start arriving 20 minutes early.
February 9/10 – Baby Shower for A Community Caring For Life (ACCL)
Students bring in layette items for infants to be donated to families in need
March 15/16 – Palm Sunday
Each year the preschool students participate in the palm procession at the beginning of mass. Families are asked to drop off their students 5-10 minutes earlier than usual - catechists should plan accordingly.
April 12/13 – Birthday Party In A Bag Weekend
Students bring in items for a family birthday party, to be bagged and donated to local food shelves. Catechists should bring a large gift bag for their class, to put the items in.
The first full weekend of each month is "Food Shelf Weekend".
Students are asked to bring a non-perishable food item, in a non-breakable box or can, to donate to our local food shelf. Students carry their offerings into the Worship Space during the regular Offertory procession.
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