Youth and RE Information

FOR THE SAKE OF GOD’S CHILDREN

 Background checks are required every five years.  Everyone is responsible for creating a safe environment for our children; that is why St. John the Apostle parish is participating in the For the Sake of God’s Children program.   We will support this program to ensure the safety and protection of our children and youth.  We want to remind you that all who work with the youth in any capacity are required to have a background check.  Call the church office for more information.

WE NOW HAVE ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM which you can download and fill out.  The RE office does not mail registration forms unless asked to.  You can register for all RE grades on Sunday, October 4th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and for Teen Challenge courses during the September retreat.  To get the registration forms click the links:  English and Spanish).  Please also ensure you complete the second half of the form available here.

ST. JOHN'S YOUTH MINISTRY

Please Note:  The RE office is closed on Mondays. Thank you.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION ANNOUNCEMENTS 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION  Advent Dinner / Cookie Exchange is scheduled for Sunday, December 11th at 2 PM.  The 1st grade class will present a Nativity play.  This is a covered dish event and we ask you to bring a dozen of your favorite holiday cookies to share and exchange.  

Our youth page is almost completed.  There will be pictures on our website at the end of the week.  Join us for a Christmas Social night at our next youth gathering on Friday, December 16th from 7 to 9 PM.

 POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP  Human family members in search of that special someone to make their lives complete.  Someone who will be a daily source of strength and who values family, peace, justice, truth, love and service.  Someone whom you can establish an everlasting relationship with.  Come explore the teachings of Jesus Christ with St. John’s – St. Bernadette’s Catholic Community.  The faith in Jesus we profess is the faith Jesus handed down to his apostles.  Want to know more?  Call the Parish Office at 422-5123 or call Deacon John at 422-4554.

RELIGIOUS ED: Sundays at 9:30 AM Mass for Grades 3-6 in the Basement Rooms; at 10:45 am for Grades PreK - 2 in the Basement Rooms.

CONFIRMATION CLASSES:

10th Grade begins Sunday, Oct. 16th at 7:00 PM with sponsors.

9th  Grade begins Sunday, Nov.13th at 9:00 AM

Youth Group Gathering, Friday, October 21st from 7-9 PM

Advent Wreath activity is scheduled for Sunday, November 20th at 7 PM.  Parishioners are invited to join us but an RSVP is encouraged.  Advent Dinner / Cookie Exchange is scheduled for Sunday, December 11th at 2 PM.  The 1st grade class will present a Nativity play.  This is a covered dish event and we ask you to bring a dozen of your favorite holiday cookies to share and exchange.  Youth Gathering is scheduled for Friday, November 18th at 7 PM. 

WHY BE A CATECHIST?  It is easy to forget just how essential sharing the Faith, particularly as a catechist , is to our very lives.  We are all called to be witnesses to the Gospel.  If you have been approached to be a catechist, or if you feel the call of the Spirit, you are being asked to do something special for God, the Church, and for your fellow Catholics. You will never regret saying ‘yes” to that call. And in responding, you may find you are doing something special for yourself.

 YOUTH Middle and High School Teens gather every third Friday of the month from 7 to 9 PM.  There will be food, fun and Friends. “Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.” (James 4: 8).

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION  As you sit back to plan your vacation and begin to enjoy the long hot summer days remember to take time for yourself.  In Mark 6:31 we read “come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest for a while.  People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place”.  

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION is about our faith and traditions is important at all stages of life, even adulthood.  While religious education can be very fun and exciting for young children, it can often become a burden to adolescents.  What does your attitude about religious education say to your children?  Do you often allow them to miss class in favor of other commitments?  If your children aren’t getting much from their religious education, discuss with them what would make it more exciting and enlightening.  You can take their suggestions to your parish Director of Religious Education or implement them at home.  

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Please plan to join our youth in providing Easter Baskets for needy children. Items needed are: baskets, grass, assorted candies, small toys for boys & girls, small stuffed animals.  Thank you! 

CATECHISTS ARE NEEDED: Why you really, really matter? Because no religious education program could happen without you.  Our Teen Challenge program and children’s ministry is in need of people to share their vision of God with our children and teens. Is God tapping you on the shoulder?   

CATECHISTS?  I want to thank the parishioners that heard the call to share their faith with our children and youth.  We now have a team of (5) catechists working together in our Teen Challenge Program. Primary grades are in need of a few more adults to help on Sunday mornings. We must have  2 adults per classroom at all times. Can you give an hour on Sunday morning from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. or 10:40 to 12 noon?  We are looking for one other person to join the Confirmation Team and two adults to help with the RCIA program for children. If you would like more information on these programs please call RE office.   Parents are expected to actively participate in their child’s faith formation and should give 4 hours a year in their child’s classroom

YOUTH MINISTRY Nourish your faith:  mystagogy- the final period in the process of initiation into the Church community that takes place in the weeks following the Easter Vigil. Mystagogy means “instruction on the mysteries.” For all Catholics, it is the ongoing, lifelong process of reflection on the meaning of Baptism in each individual’s life. For neophytes, or the newly initiated, it also entails catechesis and reflection on the Sacraments of Initiation and the experience of the catechumenate.

YOUNG ADULTS Tap into something more in life! We invite young adults in Their 20’s and 30’s, single and Married for refreshments/social event.  Come hear about what resources are available for young adults in our Church who want to grow in their faith. Henri Nouwen once said that ministry “means the ongoing attempt to put one’s own search for God, with all the moments of pain and joy, despair and hope, at the disposal of those who want to join in the search but do not know how.”  That’s why Young Adult Ministry invites people from all backgrounds to come together to pool their resources and experiences as a community.  Our goal is to serve the young church.  The theme will be: Broken and Blessed- the drive for perfection or even to “be good” can be a barrier to intimacy, forgiveness and true transformation. Come as we look at our woundedness and imperfections with new eyes. Come and experience a God whose light flows through the cracks in our lives and whose very breath is forgiveness.  The date is Sunday, July 17th from 5 to 8 PM.  Please RSVP or get more information by calling or e-mailing Maritza.   The speaker will be Maritza Figueroa.

DID YOU KNOW? The best thing a parish can do for teenagers, is to create an environment filled with joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Teens are quick to sense the atmosphere in their parish. Ways that you can be an advocate for young people this month:  Brainstorm your young people’s vision for youth ministry - find out what they want to see happen in our parish.

Liturgical Formation for young people:  If you are interested in becoming a lector please call or e-mail Maritza.

CREATING FAITH FILLED FAMILIES Being green is all the rage. Did you know that taking care of the earth is actually part of Catholic social teaching? Teaching your children to take care of the earth (good stewardship) because God calls us to it is a wonderful way to keep Christ centered in their efforts to recycle, waste less and protect the gifts of God. For a complete list of the Try This @ Home tips, visit www.cdow.org or to submit your own suggestions, please visit the same link, click on youth ministry.

SNAPSHOT THURSDAY NEWSLETTER  will resume this coming fall.  Please watch for your monthly newsletter via email to our registered RE families.  If you would like to get a copy of the monthly issues, please contact the RE office.

WE NOW HAVE ONLINE REGISTRATION which you can download and fill out.  The RE office does not mail registration forms unless asked to.   For more information and to get the registration (English and Spanish) forms go to our RE page

ADULTS IN MINISTRY WITH YOUTH Catholic Youth Ministry will be offering training for adults in ministry with youth or those who might be interested in this ministry.  This is a certificate program and is scheduled for 2010 and 2011.  Dates, location, price and detailed information available by calling the Catholic Youth Ministry office at 302-658-3800.

FAMILY MATTERS    Check out the Family Matters 2011 schedule by clicking this link.

Our youth gatherings are held on the second Tuesday of every month from 7:00-8:30 pm.

RELIGIOUS ED NOVEMBER 5TH SCAVENGER HUNT   This event helps the Social Concerns Committee to fill the food baskets for the holiday seasons.  Parishioners who wish to help support our youth in this event can pick up a grocery bag at the end of Mass.  Please fill the bag and leave it on your front step for the youth to pick up on November 5th between 10:00 AM and 12 noon.  Please complete the information on the flyer that will be attached to the bag.  Thank you for your continued support.  

CONGRATULATIONS! to St. Thomas More student Francisco Perez who made the Bishop’s list and Maria Perez, and Marinelle Zarraga who made the Honors List.

Check out pictures of St. John youth in action by clicking this link Youth Pictures

                        ST. AMBROSE HOMESCHOOLERS

The St. Ambrose Homeschoolers will now meet on the 2nd Friday of each month following the 9 a.m. Mass.  The next scheduled meeting is September 14.  For more information on our group, call Debby Miller at 359-9583.  

Check out the Homeschoolers activities by clicking this link St. Ambrose Homeschoolers Picture Page

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