Welcome to our Parish!

We hope you enjoy your visit and encourage you to check this web page often for updates! We also would like to share with you some of our Parishioner's reflections, event news and more. If you have any comment or suggestion please let us know.

RCIA

Come and see – Do you know someone who …..

desires to know more about our Catholic faith;
has been baptized in another Christian tradition but is interested in knowing about the Catholic faith;
has never been baptized
has been baptized Catholic but has not celebrated Confirmation and/or Eucharist….and/or desires to be reconnected to the Church and to enter more fully into our Catholic faith.

Call Sr. Joanne at the parish center 288-7372 or jloecher@sj.org for more information about RCIA.

Baptism Formation

Parents anticipating the birth and/or baptism of your child, the next Baptism Formation is Monday, March 26, 2012 at 7:00 pm. Baptism parent preparation is for each child as you anticipate celebrating the sacrament of Baptism. We encourage attendance prior to the birth of your child. Call the parish center 288-7372 to register and to schedule baptisms.

Choir

You may sign up any time in the Parish Center or by contacting Sebastian Modarelli, Director of Music and Liturgy (288-7372 ext. 14 or smodarelli@sj.org)

just faith

JustFaith, used in over 1,000 parishes and churches across the country involving 20,000 people, is a 30-week process that empowers participants to develop a passion and thirst for justice. JustFaith focuses on discipleship—engagement in the life of Jesus—and the call to be about God’s dream of justice and compassion in a world scarred by the domestic and global crisis called poverty. Meeting weekly, small groups of 10–15 people employ books, videos, discussion, prayer, retreats and hands-on experiences. JustFaith groups have been meeting in Rochester since 2003. There is an interparish group forming for daytime at Pax Christi Church starting mid October 2011. Check out www.justfaith.org. For more information contact Mary Vlazny mvlazny@sj.org or 288-7273, ext.16.

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FAITH FORMATION

PROGRAMS THIS YEAR!

FAITH FORMATION 2011-2012

We have a full program to offer our parishioners, age 3 on up.

CHILD CARE: We are now able to provide child care for infants (newborn-age 2) as well as for toddlers (age 3-5). Two adults are always in the room, along with several youth. Child care is available during 9:30am Mass year round. Volunteer Schedule

PRESCHOOL: We have expanded our program this year so that we can offer Sunday preschool during both 9:30 and 11:15 Masses. Registration is required for this program (Sept-May) and is available to children ages 3, 4, and 5. The coordinator of the preschool program and child care is Mary Rownd. Mary is able to provide all these services because of the wonderful volunteers in child care and parent helpers in preschool.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD: Children grades kdg-grade 3 are invited during 9:30 Mass. The priest calls the leaders and children forward right after the opening prayer to be dismissed to the chapel for Liturgy of the Word on a child’s level. They then return after the homily.

FAITH FORMATION GRADES 1-8: Children who attend public school attend faith formation classes on Wednesday evenings, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Sept-March. We started a new program last year, using Gospel Weeklies. Each week, the children receive a handout containing the Gospel of the coming Sunday, along with stories, discussion questions, doctrine, and activities pertaining to the theme of the Gospel. These weeklies are interesting for the children, and the parents are able to use these as they talk to their children about their faith and prepare for Sunday Mass. And it is all applied to our lives today!

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

1ST Reconciliation & 1st Eucharist: Usually, children in the 2nd grade prepare to receive the sacraments of reconciliation and Holy Communion. This preparation is a parish activity. ALL children in both public and Catholic schools come together with their parents to prepare for these important sacraments. All parents and children attend an orientation meeting and learning center evening for each sacrament. There is also a retreat included with the sacrament of Eucharist.

Confirmation: All students, both public and Catholic schools, participate in confirmation preparation. It is a 2-year program in which students meet monthly in small groups in the homes of parents. Curriculum for the 9th grade is a scripture-based study of issues relevant to teens. The 10th grade curriculum is totally centered on the study of the sacrament of confirmation. This study is also strongly scripture oriented. A required retreat is scheduled in November, and the sacrament is celebrated in the spring.

Adult Bible Study: Bible study is offered on Tuesday mornings led by Edythe Hoppe and Fred Krueger in the fellowship area, 10:30-noon. Registration is not required. For those who wish to make use of the hour while their children are in faith formation, another study is offered on Wednesdays, 6:00-7:00 p.m. led by Deacon John in the fellowship area. No registration is required. All are welcome!

As you can see, there is something for everyone. The programs listed above are under my umbrella of Faith Formation. But any time we gather and grow in our faith, it is faith formation. Look through the bulletin for other opportunities such as marriage prep, baptism prep, and RCIA. You are always welcome to come and see! To learn more about any of our opportunities, Maggie DeStazio, Director of Faith Formation

3 - Minute Retreats

3-Minute Retreats invite you to take a short prayer break right at your computer. Spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage.

Knowing that not everyone prays at the same pace, you have control over the pace of the retreat. After each screen, a Continue button will appear. Click it when you are ready to move on. If you are new to online prayer, the basic timing of the screens will guide you through the experience.