Thanks for Your Patience!
Thanks again for your patience as we plan under the unusual circumstances. As with most things right now, the following is subject to change, but we want to give you a more detailed look at where our faith formation plans stand for this year.
Thank you also to those who have taken time to register already, those initial registrations helped us come up with a more detailed plan! If you haven't yet registered please do so by next Wednesday. You will find registration links in-line below (they will all take you to our one main registration form).
Please take some time to read/skim the message below, especially if you want to know what is going on for middle-high school faith formation at Pax Christi.
2020-2021 Faith Formation Overview
We'll start year off offering an 8-week session that will run beginning the week of September 27th through the week of November 15th. Then, we'll take a break and/or do something a little different in December. Behind the scenes we will be listening to your feedback, making necessary changes, monitoring health and safety of the community, and hopefully be back for another 8-week session in Winter and then again in Spring.
Below you'll find three main options with details about each included.
- Lectionary Resources on the Sun Mass Readings
- At-home Resources for the Family
- In-person Formation Opportunities
If you choose to participate in options listed under "At-home Resources for the Family" or "In-person Formation" we would like you to register so we can make sure we are preparing and recruiting appropriately. The registration process doesn't ask you to commit to "At-home" or "In-person" at this time. Simply register and then Dana or Zach will follow up with you. You may register for this first 8-week session by following this link: https://forms.gle/htRzjsA61MVT8XJDA
Note for Confirmation students/families: Dana is on vacation this week so the details for Confirmation Preparation may be a little vague, she will provide more upon her return.
The following Lectionary Resources are based on the Sunday Mass Readings. We want all individuals and families to be reading, praying with, discussing, and putting into practice what they are hearing at Mass every Sunday. We will make these resources available for you to use as an individual or family for free, no registration necessary!
We recommend spending time with the readings all week; I like to start on Thursday to prepare for the coming weekend, and continue with those readings through the following Wednesday to allow God room to speak through his Word even after Mass on Sunday.
Ascend
Personal Study of the Mass Readings
Ascend is a companion to the Sunday Readings written for teenagers. Each week includes prayer, historical and theological insight, journaling prompts, and a weekly challenge. These first 8 weeks I will photo copy each week and send it out in our youth updates. Later on in the year you will have an opportunity to order the 2021 Liturgical Year edition.
Summit
Family Study of the Mass Readings
Families who pray together, stay together, and the Holy Mass is the highest form of prayer. Summit is a small group resource families can use to dive into reflection and discussion of the Sunday Mass readings together.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Podcast on the Mass Readings
Mark Hart is a leading Catholic speaker popular with both teens and adults. He is great at unpacking scripture in meaningful and applicable ways. His weekly podcast runs only about 5 minutes. I am told he will be resuming shortly.
Fr. Mike Schmitz Homilies
YouTube Series of Mass Homilies
Fr. Mike Schmitz is the Newman Center Chaplin at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is a dynamic speaker who delivers the Gospel message with clarity, humor, and conviction. If you haven't heard him before you are in for a treat!
Spending time with the Sunday Mass Readings is a great start and will lead us into a desire to learn even more about God, his Church, and the Faith. The following resources will be made available to individuals/families who register for faith formation looking for something more to do together as a family. These resources can be used on their own or in conjunction with the in-person options detailed in the following section.
Connect Groups
Small Group Study for Families
Our content and curriculum provider, Life Teen, is the leader in Catholic Youth Ministry resources. These new Connect Groups have been created for families to engage in their very own small group study/discussion. You could even team up with some other families taking turns hosting each other from time to time.
REGISTER for more information
The Mix - Online Variety Show
Middle & High School Families
The Mix is another new resource by Life Teen in response to the change in youth ministry made necessary by the pandemic. The online variety show will be released weekly beginning Sept 20th. Make a whole family night out of it! Content will be geared towards middle-high school students and parents.
REGISTER for more information
Edge - Middle School Formation
Semester Guides/Lesson Plans
Maybe you just aren't quite ready to come back to in-person formation... or maybe you don't want to come every week. For this reason we will be sending all registered middle school students and their families the lessons we will be doing in-person for you to do at home at any time.
REGISTER for more information
Confirmation (at home component)
Family & Sponsor Meetings
Throughout the course of this first 8 week session all students preparing for Confirmation (typically done in grades 9-10) will be asked to complete a "Faith and Family Session" as well as a meeting (in-person or on-line) with their sponsor. Details about the two opportunities will be made available at a later date.
REGISTER for more information
High School Small Group
Online/Virtual Option
Our High School Small Group for grades 11-12 has continued to meet online through the summer. We will continue to offer the option of calling in via video conference or coming in person for our small group meeting. The time and day are yet to be determined.
REGISTER for more information
We know that in-person face-to-face formation can't be beat and we are excited to be able to offer the opportunity to students and families who want to participate. Individuals/families who register for these in-person faith formation opportunities will be able to participate with their peers and adult leaders in small groups as well as a couple large group nights. Our staff and volunteers will work hard to maintain safe and clean spaces and participants will be asked to follow appropriate health/safety guidelines.
Middle School Small Groups
Wednesday Nights (Grades 6-8)
Middle Schools Students will be divided into small groups of peers led by 2-3 trained adults using "Edge" for middle school students by Life Teen (as we have for the last handful of years).
REGISTER for more information
Confirmation Small Groups
Sun/Wed Nights (Grades 9-10)
Small groups will meet on Sun/Wed. and may offer a video call option for those who don't feel comfortable meeting in person (more details coming soon).
REGISTER for more information
High School Small Group
Day TBD (Grades 11-12)
Our High School Small Group for grades 11-12 has continued to meet online through the summer. We will continue to offer the option of calling in via video conference or coming in person for our small group meeting. The time and day are yet to be determined.
REGISTER for more information
Large Group Prayer Nights
Various Wed. (Students & Families)
During this first 8-week session we will be offering two prayer/reflection nights for all registered students and their families. The content of each night is still being planned, but you can expect a short talk, time for discussion, and time for prayer.
We have tentatively planned these nights for Wednesdays Sept 30th and Oct 28th.
REGISTER for more information
Parting Thoughts
A couple final things for you... think of them as rewards for making it all the way through this email!
1) Weekly Update and Parent Section
Our Weekly Youth Updates will resume next week and will continue to include a section for parents filled with resources that will hopefully make your awesome responsibility of passing on the faith to your children a little easier! So keep an eye out for those every Monday.
2) Interest in Coffee or Dinner?
One thing I'd love to do throughout the year is make myself available for meeting with families one-on-one (or in small groups of 2-3 families at a time) over coffee or dinner. Before I put a lot of time into scheduling and blocking out time for that I am curious if anybody is even remotely interested in that. This could be a great way for me to get to know you and your family and learn about how our parish can better meet your needs! These meetings could take place at my house, the youth center, St. James Coffee, or even your house if you'd like (I'll bring the food).
My Family and/or I is/am interested in having coffee or dinner with Zach
Definitely! Especially if he cooks, or brings the pizza!
- View Details
No way!
- View Details
As always, if you have any questions or concerns or just want to talk let us know.
We are here for you!
Peace,
Dana Petricka
Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Dana is primarily responsible for Confirmation Preparation, High School Small Groups, and Young Adult Ministry
Zach Rawson
Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry
Zach is primarily responsible for Middle School Faith Formation, Youth Ministry activities, events, and trips, Unite Ministry efforts.