Sunday, September 21, 12:30-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, September 24, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Objectives:

• Clarify the role of the deacon and his functions compared to those of the baptized and ordained priests
• Introduce and get to know our new deacon
• Recognize our own call to serve in sacrament, word, and charity

Adults who attend will hear a presentation and brief witness presented by Deacon Dave Nethery. Reflection on scriptures that extend the call to serve God and community will be part of this session.

Children and families will examine the similarities and differences between a deacon and a priest, remember and recommit to our own call to serve. Everyone will have a chance to meet Deacon Dave “up close and personal.”

This session addresses the expectations the U. S. Bishops outlined in the National Directory for Catechesis to educate in the area of missionary work and liturgy.

Event preparing for: Sunday liturgies and other encounters with our deacon

Format:
• Meal and Opening Session
• Breakout sessions of preschool children, families, teens, and adults
• All groups rejoin for Closing

Menu: Boneless chicken breast, tossed salad, rice w/peas, ice cream cups

Sunday, October 26, 12:30-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 29, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Objectives:

• Appreciate role of music in liturgical and personal prayer
• Introduce and get to know the new Music Minister
• Realize our call to full, active and conscious participation in the liturgy

Adults who attend will participate in a presentation/activity led by our Music Minister, Richard Gullion. We will actively find the pitch, rhythm, and syncopation in everyday life.

Children and families who attend will explore music to enrich our prayer lives, strengthen our participation in liturgy, and meet our new Music Minister.

This session addresses the expectations the U. S. Bishops outlined in the National Directory for Catechesis to educate in the area of liturgy and prayer.

Event preparing for: Sunday liturgies

Format:
• Meal and Opening Session
• Breakout sessions of preschool children, families, teens, and adults
• All groups rejoin for Closing

Menu: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, apple strudel

Wednesday, December 10, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Friday, December 12, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Objectives:

• Examine excessive consumption in our own lives and around us
• Discover value of giving vs. getting
• Come to know the benefits living simply has on others

Adults who attend will find motivation and practical help to celebrate a simpler Christmas. Through the example of Jesus, we will find ways to live lives of material moderation throughout the year.

Children and families who attend will take inventory of the things, activities and attitudes in our homes, look for way to simplify our family life, and see how our simplicity of life can benefit others as well as ourselves.

This session addresses the expectations of the U. S. Catholic Bishops stated in National Directory for Catechesis that we educate in the area of social justice and community living.

Event Preparing For: Christmas Season

Format:
• Meal and Opening Session
• Breakout sessions of preschool children, families, teens, and adults
• All groups rejoin for Closing

Menu: Build your own tacos, corn, cinnamon funnel cakes

Wednesday, January 7, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Friday, January 9, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Objectives:

• Understand the Church’s vision of Youth Ministry and its essential goals
• Introduce and get to know our new Cluster Coordinator for Youth Ministry
• Appreciate the shared vision of discipleship among all generations

Adults and teens who attend will experience ways in which all generations model Church together. This topic presented by our Cluster Coordinator for Youth Ministry, David Napoli, will also provide an opportunity for interaction.

Children who attend will know whole-heartedly that we are disciples today and in the future, celebrate ways that we already serve God and others, and envision ways we can serve in the future.

This session addresses the expectation of the National Directory for Catechesis to educate in the area of our Catholic mission.

Format:
• Meal and Opening Session
• All adults and teens will attend a presentation led by David Napoli. Preschool children, and children in grades K-5 will meet with catechists.
• All groups rejoin for Closing

Menu: Chicken ala king over biscuit, peas and carrots, salad, cookies

Wednesday, February 4, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 6, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Objectives:

• Realize that the Ten Commandments are “minimum requirements”
• Deepen appreciation that the Old Testament is basis of Jesus’ message
• Discover ways to live beyond the Ten Commandments

Adults who attend will hear a presentation given by Fr. George. Through a study of both Testaments, we will see how God moves us beyond minimum requirements to build the Kingdom. There will be opportunity for discussion.

Children and families who attend will brush up on the meaning of the Ten Commandments, participate in a challenging scripture search, and use our discoveries to be even better “Builders of the Kingdom.”

This session addresses the expectation of the National Directory for Catechesis to educate in the area of scripture and moral formation.

Format:
• Meal and Opening Session
• Breakout sessions of preschool children, families, teens, and adults
• All groups rejoin for Closing

Menu: Sloppy joes, french fries, vegetable sticks, ice cream sandwiches

Sunday, March 1, 12:30-3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 4, 6:00-8:30 p.m.

Objectives:

• Discover ways to strengthen our relationship with God through prayer
• Recognize that contemplative prayer arises out of Christian tradition and our own personal experience
• Compare and contrast devotional and contemplative prayer

Adults who attend will participate in a presentation led by Wayne Simsic, a well-known author on this topic. An opportunity to practically apply this method of prayer will be a part of this session.

Children who attend will explore and practice many ways to pray, deepen our understanding of how prayer brings us closer to God, and take materials to create a “Prayer Corner” at home.

This session addresses the expectation of the National Directory for Catechesis to educate in the area of prayer and our Catholic tradition.

Format:
• Meal and Opening Session
• All adults will attend presentation by Wayne Simsic. The teens, children, and preschoolers will meet in breakout sessions with catechists.
• All groups rejoin for Closing

Menu: Pasta, meatballs, salad, garlic bread, Italian ice.