St. John Paul II Parish Religious Education K-8th Grade Calendar 2015-16 Preparation for Sacraments of Christian Initiation I would like to take a moment to welcome you to the 2015-2016 St. John Paul II Parish Religious Education program. Our program will be Wednesday nights from 6-7:30 PM. We are excited to offer a faith-based, service-oriented program for your child. Take a moment to look over our calendar of events and also note the important Sacrament preparation program dates. Please mark them on your calendars! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the parish office at 696-3904 or email me at [email protected]. I am excited for another wonderful year! God Bless, Katie Mendenhall Director of Faith Formation & Ministries Religious Education Calendar September 9, 16, 23, 30 October 7, 14, 21, 28 November 4, 11, 18 December 2, 9 January 6, 13, 20, 27 February 3, 17, 24 March 2, 9, 30 Baptism: We assume your child has been baptized. If not, please call the parish to make arrangements for baptism. If your child is at least seven years old and has not been baptized, he/she should participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Young Adults. Confirmation: We will have a retreat for the 8th grade candidates, sponsors, and parents on October 10 at St. Margaret Chapel. This will be an overnight retreat. The time is TBA. The Rite of Enrollment will be October 11 at the 10:30 Mass. The Confirmation Mass will be announced by the Bishop as we get closer to spring 2016. Holy Eucharist: We will have a First Holy Communion Retreat for 2nd grade parents and students on March 19, 2016. First Holy Eucharist Masses will be: April 2, 3, 9, and 10. We will only schedule four students per Mass. We will have a Thanksgiving Mass for all the 1st Communicants on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at the 5:30 PM Mass. "The sacraments of Christian initiation - Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist - lay the foundations of every Christian life. 'The sharing in the divine nature given to men through the grace of Christ bears a certain likeness to the origin, development, and nourishing of natural life. The faithful are born anew by Baptism, strengthened by the sacrament of Confirmation, and receive in the Eucharist the food of eternal life. By means of these sacraments of Christian initiation, they thus receive in increasing measure the treasures of the divine life and advance toward the perfection of charity.” (CCC no. 1212). Preparation for the Sacrament of Confession All candidates for First Holy Eucharist need to prepare for the Sacrament of Confession. The retreat for parents and students will be December 12, 2015. April 13, 20, 27 May 4, 11, 18 Family Faith Night Once a month, parents will come into the classroom with their child and learn about the Catholic Faith together. Topics will vary each month. The students preparing for Confirmation are highly recommended to go to the Sacrament of Confession. Conversations of Faith with Fr. Lam: Parent’s Component of Sacramental Preparation September 23 September 30 October 28 November 18 January 27 February 24 March 30 April 27 May 18 October 7, 21 November 11 Location: SJP2 Church Time: 6:30-7:30 Although these sessions are mandatory for any parent who has a student celebrating a sacrament this year, all are welcome to attend!