ST. PHILIP'S CATHOLIC CHURCH - BEMIDJI, MN
Helping our children and youth to grow in their Catholic faith
INFORMATION
Faith Formation is a lifetime journey for everyone – at every age and stage of life. We believe that faith formation occurs within a family and community. Faith formation begins with our baptism. The day a person is baptized, he or she begins a wonderful journey of faith.
Parents are and will continue to be the most important person of faith for your child. St. Philip’s Religious Formation offers classes for children and youth to assist you in your child’s faith journey – to help them grow in their Catholic Faith. Religious Formation classes are primarily for children/youth who attend public schools, however any child/youth is welcome to attend Religious Formation classes.
For more information on St. Philip’s Religious Formation, please contact the Religious Formation Office at 444-5849. Return to top of Page
STAFF
Kris Jensen - Religious Formation Office – 444-5849 e-mail kjensen@stphilipsbemidji.org
(Religious Formation Office is located on the second floor of the St. Philip’s School)
Preschool Sunday School, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Elementary Religious Formation, High School Religious Formation, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, Vacation Bible School and Safe Environment Co-Coordinator
Abbie Kohler - Parish Office 444-4262 ext.107; email akohler@stphilipsbemidji.org
The EDGE (Middle School Religious Formation), Youth Ministry – The EDGE (Middle School Youth Group) and High School Youth. Return to top of Page
Volunteers are essential to the working of St. Philip’s Parish, St. Philip’s Religious Formation and St. Philip’s School. As part of our church family, we strive to create and maintain safe environments for all who are here. To ensure that the children and youth who worship, study or participate in actives we sponsor do so in the safest and most secure setting possible, we are requiring the volunteers complete the Volunteer Acknowledgement and Consent form and rice Safe Environment Training. Religious Formation volunteers who need to complete the Volunteer Acknowledgement and Consent form and receive Safe Environment Training are: catechists (teachers), substitute catechists, High School Small Group Faith Leaders, classroom aides, Religious Formation Office aides, drivers, adults that help with a service project, chaperones, Children’s Liturgy of the Word leaders and any adult who volunteers in any capacity that may have direct or indirect contact with the children/youth who are attending Religious Formation classes. If you have completed the form and training because you volunteer in another capacity in the Parish (school volunteer, Life Teen volunteer, etc.), you do not have to complete the form and training. Every year volunteers will have to complete the Acknowledgement and Consent form and do training whether you have volunteered in the past or not.
Volunteers need to do the following:
Complete the Volunteer Acknowledgement and Consent form (every year)
Return this form to the Religious Formation Office or the Parish Office
Receive Safe Environment Training*
- Component C (if you have all ready completed Component A and B) or
- Component ___ (if you have not received any training)
You must have completed all three components to volunteer.
through one of these methods:
on-line training – www.crookston.org Safe Environment Training
attend a group training session
visit the Religious Formation Office, School Office, or Parish Office to read the training manual
Your participation, cooperation, and assistance are most appreciated.
*The passing of a short quiz will be required in order to earn a certificate of compliance, necessary to complete this training.
St. Philip’s Volunteer Driver’s Form 2008-2009
CATECHIST/VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The children and youth who are in Religious Formation need you to share your faith with them. Our gift of passing on the faith is a blessing to the children and youth of our parish. You will make a great difference in their lives.
- Preschool Sunday School Catechists (teachers), Catechist Assistants, Substitute Catechists
- Elementary - Catechists (teachers), Catechist Assistants, Substitute Catechists
- Middle School EDGE core members
- High School Small Group Faith Leaders
- Children’s Liturgy of the Word Leaders
- Music Leaders
- Hall Monitors
- Special Events Drivers/Chaperones
- Office Assistants are needed.
If you would like to share your faith with the children and youth of our parish, please contact the Religious Formation Office. Please consider being involved in your child’s faith formation. (Volunteering in Religious Formation programs/activities counts towards St. Philip’s School volunteer hours.)
To Keep the Faith, We Have to Share the Faith!
Return to top of PageRELIGIOUS FORMATION CLASS OFFERINGS
Registration
Download the PDF Religious Formation Registration Form 2008-2009 (available after September 1, 2008)
Download the PDF Religious Formation Confirmation Requirements Form for 2008 – 2009 (for youth in grades 9 – 11)
Download the PDF Religious Formation Permission Form 2008 – 2009
Religious Formation Class Fees
The Religious Formation fee is $45.00 for each child.
The Sacrament material fee is $35.00 for each sacrament that will be received this year 2008 – 2009 (First Reconciliation, First Eucharist & Confirmation – 11th grade).
Checks should be made out to St. Philip’s Church. Fees may be paid all at once or in monthly payments. Scholarship funds are available if needed (please contact the Religious Formation Office). No one will be denied access to the Religious Formation classes or Sacraments because of inability to pay the fee.
Preschool Sunday School is for children who are 3 (by September 1, 2008) and 4 years old. Preschool classes meet during the 9:00 a.m. Liturgy at St. Philip’s School, October through April approximately three times per month. Children will learn about a loving and caring God, develop Catholic Christian attitudes and be introduced to prayer. The curriculum used is I Am Special by Our Sunday Visitor. Registration required.
Preschool Sunday School Calendar
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Children in Kindergarten and First Grade is offered during the Sunday 9:00 a.m. Liturgy. Children leave the Church after the opening prayer and go to the Gregory the Great Music Room to hear the children’s version of the Gospel reading and reflect on the reading at their age level. Children return to the Church during the Offertory song. Children’s Liturgy of the Word will meet September through May. Children’s Liturgy of the Word will not be held if there is not school (following the Bemidji Public School calendar) on Friday or Monday. No registration required.
ELEMENTARY RELIGIOUS FORMATION
Elementary Religious Formation is for children in grades 1 – 5. Sessions are held Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. at St. Philip’s School, October through April, approximately three times a month. The elementary children will use the curriculum Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts. The sessions engage children by starting from typical moments in their own lives and inviting them to join in prayer. As children explore Scripture and Tradition, they discuss their faith and deepen their relationship with God in prayer. Each session ends with a discussion of how to act upon what they have learned, and closes with a prayer of gratitude for God’s gifts.
Registration required.
Religious Formation Calendar
The Middle School Program is for students in grades 6 - 8. Sessions are held Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. at St. Philip’s, October through April, approximately three times a month, optional session maybe held in September and May. Each night we will gather as a large group for a time of prayer and experimental learning on a topic of faith. Students will also break into small groups for further exploration of the topic in an age-appropriate manner. Our curriculum will run in a three-year rotation and will include topics such as: exploring the Bible, reflection on Jesus’ life ministry and teachings, discovering what it means to be Catholic, reflection on the Sacraments, understanding Catholic morality, and opportunities to act on social justice issues (service projects). Registration required.
See Youth Ministry for more information on Middle School opportunities???
Religious Formation Calendar
The High School Program is a three year Confirmation program for students in grades
9 - 11. It is very important for High Schoolers to attend each year of Religious Formation. Sessions are held Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. at St. Philip’s Social Hall and School, October through April, approximately three times a month. 9th graders will grow in their faith and knowledge about The Creed. 10th graders will discuss and learn about Christian Morality. In 9th and 10th grade the majority of the class sessions will be taught by the priests with leaders facilitating small group discussions/activities. 11th graders will be nourished and informed on a variety of topics in preparation to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Curriculum used in 9th and 10th grade is Total Catechesis by St. Mary’s Press and in 11th grade Confirmed in a Faithful Community by St. Mary’s Press. Registration required.
Religious Formation Calendar
RELIGIOUS FORMATION HANDBOOK
Parents – you are encouraged to read the Religious Formation Handbook. It will be available at registration and on the link below. The Religious Formation Handbook contains program information, sacrament guidelines and information, Discipline Policy, and other general information regarding Religious Formation.
Religious Formation Handbook
Vacation Bible School is a fun, faith filled week – June 8 – 12, 2009, 9:00 – 12:00 for children aged 3 through 4th grade. Registration required.
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST
Preparation of a child for the sacraments of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation is the responsibility of the parents, with the guidance of the Parish Staff. See the Religious Formation Handbook Sacrament Guidelines for more information.
Parents must attend the Parent Session for each sacrament and direct their child’s preparation for the sacrament. Children are required to attend Religious Formation class or be a student of St. Philip’s School. The curriculum in the Religious Formation Program and St. Philip’s School do not fulfill the requirements for the sacrament.
Children who are at least in 2nd grade are eligible for both FIRST EUCHARIST and FIRST RECONCILIATION. It is recommended that children receive the sacrament of Reconciliation before receiving First Eucharist. Parents may delay the reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation and/or Eucharist if they feel their child is not ready.
CONFIRMATION
Youth receive the sacrament of CONFIRMATION during the spring of 11th grade. Confirmation formation is a three year program. Youth are required to attend Religious Formation classes during this time (9th grade, 10th grade and 11th grade). See the Religious Formation Handbook Sacrament Guidelines for more information.
Voices and bodies in worship
To contact us:
St. Philip's Catholic Church, 702 Beltrami Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-444-4262 Fax: 218-444-1381 E-mail: rector@stphilipsbemidji.org
