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Teaching our Children

“If, then, all the baptized are called to grow in their faith, it is imperative that we not only provide excellent catechesis and faith formation opportunities for our children, but that we adults “consciously grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer, and study” - Alive in the Spirit, Bishop Harrington

Children’s Faith Formation Opportunities

Preschool Programming (Ages 3-5)

Preschool classes are offered on Sunday mornings during the 9:30 Mass for children ages 3, 4, and 5. Registration is required.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (Kindergarten- Grade 3)

Children, kindergarten-grade 3, attend Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:30 Sunday liturgy. No registration is required.

Rochester Catholic Schools
Rochester Catholic Schools have provided quality education in Rochester, Minnesota, for over 120 years. Our school system educates 1,900 students (2006-07 school year) in grades Nursery through 12 at four elementary schools and one high school. Our schools promote faith formation, academic excellence, and community service for all students.

Faith Formation (Grades 1-8)

Children who attend public school participate in our faith formation program on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Registration is required. We use the Harcourt Faith in Action series which is based on the liturgical year and has a spiral scope and sequence, allowing all children to study the same topic at the same time.

Preschool Programming (Ages 3, 4 & 5)

“Let the little children come to me: do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” –Mark 10: 13-16

The Church of St. John offers Preschool Faith Formation for children ages 3, 4 and 5. Classes meet approximately three Sundays a month from 9:30-10:30 a.m. All parents are encouraged to volunteer with classroom activities.

Our goal with the Preschool program is to foster an environment for young children to interact and meet new friends, and to enhance what the children are already learning about God at home from parents and family members.

Preschool Curriculum

P3

Through Sadlier's text, Discovering God's Child, three year olds explore God's gift of ourselves as they cover the four basic units of the text: God gives us our friends, God's gift of Ourselves, God's gift of our world, and Growing as God's Child. Students learn the importance of the many gifts God has given us - family, friends, our senses and much more! By the end of the year three year olds will learn the basics of caring for al living things and belonging to their special family - the Church. And - all this is learned through interactive play, stories, games, singing and crafts!

P4

Through Sadlier's text, Discovering God's World, four year olds explore God's gift of creation as they cover the four basic units of the text: God's gift of people, God's gift of our world, God's gift of ourselves, and Living in God's family. Children learn the importance of showing love at home and in preschool, to appreciate and care for God's creation, ourselves and others, and about the gift of Baptism and the Mass. By the end of the year four year olds will learn a little more about the wonderful world God has blessed us with. And - all this is learned through interactive play, stories, games, singing and crafts!

P5

Through Sadlier's text, Discovering God's Love, five year olds explore God's gift of love with family and Church community as they cover the basic units of the text: God made us and loves us, I am wonderfully made by God, Belonging to my family, and Growing in God's family. Children learn that God helps us to grow in love and trust, people are the greatest of all that God made, and God loves us through our families. By the end of the year five year olds will also learn to pray and celebrate their special family, the Church. And - all this is learned through interactive play, stories, games, singing and crafts!

Registration

Download a PDF registration form for preschool activities.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children in grades K-3 are invited to participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:30 a.m. Liturgy. No registration is required. Children will be invited to join the facilitators after the opening prayer and will return to join their families in church after the Prayer of the Faithful.

Child Care Available During Sunday Liturgies

In addition to pre-school and Children’s Liturgy of the Word on Sunday mornings during 9:30 Mass, we are pleased to announce that child care is available to children (12 months to 3 years) during the 9:30 Mass. We hope that this will enable your family to participate more fully in Sunday worship.

No registration is required for child care or for Children’s Liturgy of the Word. Child care will be drop-off/pick-up (room 104), and Children’s Liturgy of the Word will continue as in the past in the music room for children kindergarten-Grade 3. For more information, contact Maggie DeStazio.

Religious Education (Grades 1-8)

Children who attend public school participate in our faith formation program on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Registration is required.

We use the Harcourt Faith in Action series which is based on the liturgical year and has a spiral scope and sequence, allowing all children to study the same topic at the same time.

Registration

Download a PDF registration form for religious education (Grades 1-8).

First Communion Gruop 2007

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School (VBS) for Pre-K and Kindergarten through fourth grade runs for a full week in during the Summer.

The purpose of this group is to give children a fun-filled week aimed at celebrating God's love. Activities include scripture plays, music, crafts, snacks, free-time and special events.

VBS is directed by volunteers of the Church of St. John the Evangelist. The areas where volunteers are needed are: Teachers, Arts and Crafts, Nursery, Group Leaders, Games, Decorations and overall Coordinators. Please contact Maggie DeStazio for more information.