2018-2019 CRE Parent Handbook

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CONTENTS

Goals of Youth Ministry 3 CRE program description 3 Attendance 4 Prayer services 4 Tardiness/Early Release 4 Student Behavior 5 Cell Phone Use During CRE 5 Inclement Weather 5 Safeguarding All of God’s Children 5 Learning About L.I.F.E. program 6 Learning in Faith Together (LIFT) sessions 7 Retreats 7 Retreat dates 2018-19 8 Ministry Apprenticeship 8 Communication 9 Faith Formation Commission 9 Parent Involvement 9 Calendar 10

The Mission of Youth Ministry is to form our young people as Catholic Christians spiritually, socially and in service to others.

Director of Youth Ministry: Maureen Rotramel Assistant: Kelley Janowski Address: 1802 N Wisconsin Port Washington, WI 53074 Phone: 262-284-2102 E-mail: rotramelm@stjohn23rd.org or janowskik@stjohn23rd.org Web site: www.stjohn23rdyouth.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PortYouth

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GoalsofYouthMinistry: AsstatedinRenewingtheVision:AFrameworkforCatholicYouthMinistry(USCCB,1997)thegoalsofYouthMinistryare:“1.ToempoweryoungpeopletoliveasdisciplesofJesusChristinourworldtoday.2.Todrawyoungpeopletoresponsibleparticipationinthelife,mission,andworkoftheCatholicfaithcommunity.3.Tofosterthetotalpersonalandspiritualgrowthofeachyoungperson.”Alongwiththosegoals,YouthMinistrystrivesto:

• Empowerparentsastheprimaryreligiouseducatorsoftheirchildren• Toinspirealifelongdesireinouryoungpeopletocontinueintheirfaithformation• ToengagestudentsintheScripturesinameaningful,relevantway• TofosteracultureofserviceandjusticeinsideandoutsideoftheParish• MakeyoungpeoplefeelmorewelcomeintheParishcommunity• EnsurethateveryyoungpersonwantstocometoCREanddesirestobeConfirmed

CatholicReligiousEducation(CRE)programdescriptionThereligiouseducationprogramforsevenththroughtenthgradersisdesignedtobuildupontheinstructionthesestudentslearnedinpreviousreligiouseducationprogramsandpreparestudentsastheycontinuetheirjourneytowardsadulthoodandtheSacramentofConfirmationintheeleventhgrade.AstheChristianFormationCommitteePolicystates:YouthMinistryreligiouseducationisforGrades7through10.ThesesessionslaythefoundationfortheSacramentpreparationprogramin11thGrade.Therefore,itisessentialthatallfouryearsbecompletedinaccordancewithArchdiocesanPolicy.StudentswillbeadmittedtotheConfirmationPreparationProgramONLYaftersatisfactorycompletionofreligiouseducationinGrades7through10.TheYouthMinistryProgramalsooffersyouthactivitiesforallgrades.Youtharehighlyencouragedtobeinvolvedfullyintheplanningandparticipationofactivities,whichareofferedfortheirspiritual,educationalandsocialdevelopment.TheSacramentPreparationProgramforConfirmationisaYouthMinistryProgramdistinctfromReligiousEducationinitsregistrationandfees.ItisacapstonecoursetotheReligiousEducationProgramdesignedtohighlightthespiritualnatureofsacramentalpreparationandtogivecandidatesexperiencestohelporientthemintofullinitiationintheCatholicChurch.Itconsistsofseveralsessionsandaretreat;itinvolvessponsorparticipationandChristianservice.ThispolicyisinplacetoensurethateverychildintheParishreceivesasolidfoundationintheinstructionofthefaithbeforetheyareaskedtodecidetocontinueontheiradultfaithjourneythroughConfirmation.Theprogramhasbeendesignedtorecognizethatmanyofthestudentshavecomefromdifferentreligiouseducationbackgrounds.Thestudentsalsohavedifferentquestionsabouttheirfaithlifeanddifferentinterests.Keepingthisinmind,wealsoaimtoreinforcethefour

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pillarsofourfaithinkeepingwiththeCatechismoftheCatholicChurch:Christianprayer,morality,liturgyandsacramentsandthecreed.SeventhgradestudentswillbeexploringtheBibleinamoreintentionalwaywithhelpfromSt.Mary’sPress’GreatPeopleoftheBible.EachstudentinseventhgradewillalsobegivenaCatholicYouthBibleforuseinclass,athomeandinthefuture.EighthgradewillbeusingtheCatholicConnectionsHandbook,alsofromSt.Mary’sPress.Withinthatbook,theywillbestudyingtheunitson“God,RevelationandFaith”aswellas“TheHolySpiritandtheChurch”.Eacheighthgradestudentwillreceivethetextatthefirstclass,whichtheyaretoreturntotheircatechistatthelastclass.(FamiliesinterestedinkeepingthetextbookshouldcontacttheYouthMinistryOffice.)Thisyear,weareexcitedtoofferanewprogramwithourninthandtenthgradersthatwillhopefullyanswersomeofthosetoughfaithquestionsthatmanyofthemhaveandreachthemwheretheyareatcalledAlphaforYouth.Alphaisaseriesofinterac0vesessionsthatfreelyexplorethebasicsofourfaith.Thetalksaredesignedtoencourageconversa8onandexplorethebasicsofthefaithinafriendly,openandinformalenvironment.Noques9onisoutofboundsandyouarefreetodiscussasmuchorasli3leasyouwish.PrayerServicesInrecognitionoftheprimacyofprayerinourfaithtradition,wewillbegineachCREsessionwithagroupprayerserviceintheChurch.StudentsaretoenterthemaindoorsandmeetintheChurch.Parentsandparishionersareinvitedandencouragedtoattendtheseprayerservices.AttendanceAttendanceatallCREsessionsisrequired.Werecognizethatyoungpeoplehavealotoftimepressures,butwealsofeelthattheirReligiousEducationshouldbeatoppriorityfortheirtime.Ifastudentwillnotbeabletoattend,aparentshouldnotifytheYouthMinistryOfficeatleastonehourbeforethestartofclasstocountasanexcusedabsence.Eventhoughanabsenceismarkedasexcused,make-upworkwillstillneedtobecompleted.Becauseofthenatureofhowthesessionsaresetup(smallgroupdiscussions,groupactivities,etc)itisreallytotheadvantageoftheyoungpeopletobepresentforallthesessionsinordertoreallyformacommunityoffaithwiththeirpeersandtogetthemostoutoftheexperience.Tardiness/EarlyReleaseThesessionswillbeginpromptlyat6:15withtheprayerservice.Awarningbellwillringat6:10atwhichtimestudentsaretoheadfortheirseatswiththeirclasses.Ifastudentistobemorethan15minuteslateforaclass,theyaretohaveanotefromaparent,orelsetheywillbesenttotheYouthMinistryofficeuntilaparentisreached.Doorswillbelockedaftertheprayerservice.Ifastudentneedstoleaveclassearlyforanyreason,anotefromaparentneedstobebroughtintotheYouthMinistryofficebeforethestartofclass.Ifaparentorsomeonedesignatedbythe

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parentistopickthestudentup,thatpersonneedstocheckintotheYouthMinistryofficetomeetthestudent.Ifthestudenthasadriverslicenseandistodrivehimorherself,thatmustbeindicatedinthenoteandthestudentistocheckintotheYouthMinistryofficebeforeleavingthebuilding.Incaseofemergency,parentsshouldcalltheYouthMinistryoffice.StudentBehaviorInorderforCREtobeanenrichingexperienceforallofthoseinvolved,itisimportantforstudentstoberespectfulofthecatechists,theotherstudentsandthespace.Whilethemajorityofstudentsadheretothat,theYouthMinistryAdvisoryCommitteehasimplementedabehaviorpolicyforthosefewwhodobecomedisruptiveand/ordisrespectfulinanymanner.Thepolicyisasfollows:OnthefirstoffensethestudentwillbesenttotheYouthMinistryofficeandtheirparentswillbecalled.Onthesecondoffense,theparentswillagainbecalled,butthistimetopickuptheirchild.Onthethirdoffense,thestudentwillneedtobehomeschooledfortherestoftheyear.Certainbehaviorswillmeanimmediateremovalofthestudentfromtheprogram.Thesebehaviorsincludebutarenotlimitedto:·Physicalorverbalabuseofthecatechistorotherstudents·Possessionoruseofalcoholand/ordrugsand/orweaponsofanykind·VandalismItisequallyimportantinaprogramofthistypethatthestudentsparticipateinthesessions,whichhavebeendesignedtofosterdiscussionandquestions.StudentswhoconsistentlydonotparticipatemaybeaskedtomeetwiththeYouthMinisteralongwiththestudents’parents.CellPhoneUseDuringCRETheuseofcellphonestomakeorreceivephonecalls,textmessagesorotherusesareforbiddenduringCREsessionsunlessexpresslyallowedbythecatechistinalimitedcapacity.StudentswhobringacellphonetoCREmustkeepitinhis/herpocket,purseorbackpack.Ifthereisafamilyemergency,theYouthMinistryofficeshouldbecontacted.IfastudentisfoundtobeusingacellphoneduringaCREsession(unlessitispartofclass),thephonemaybeconfiscatedandparentswillbenotifiedasstatedinthepreviouspolicy.InclementWeatherIncaseofbadweather,pleasecheckthewebsiteatwww.stjohn23rdyouth.org.Classcancellations/changeswillbepostedonthehomepage.YoumayalsotuneintolocalTVandradiostationsforclasscancellations.EveryeffortwillalsobemadebytheYouthMinistryofficeandthecatechiststocontactthefamiliesbyphone,e-mailand/ortextifclasswillbecancelled.SafeguardingAllofGod’sFamilyAspertheCharterfortheProtectionofChildrenandYouthfromtheUnitedStatesConference

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ofCatholicBishopsandguidelinesfromtheArchdioceseofMilwaukee,weareparticipatingintheSafeguardingAllofGod’sChildrenprogram.ThisprogramcontainsseveralcomponentsthatpertaintoReligiousEducationprograms.Allpersonnelandvolunteerswhoworkwithchildrenandyouth,includingcatechists,aresubjecttocriminalbackgroundchecksandrequiredtoattendanabuseawarenesstrainingsession.Inaddition,schoolsandreligiouseducationprogramsarecalledontoprovideage-appropriateabusepreventioneducationinallclassroomstoteachchildrentorecognize,resistandreportabuse.Itisexpectedthatineachclassroom,everyyear,therewillbeatleastonepresentationdocumentedtoassistchildreninacquiringandenhancingskillstopreventabuse.SeventhandninthgraderswillparticipateintheLeaningAboutLifeprogramwiththeirparents(seebelow).EighthgradestudentswillparticipateinasessiononNovember5,2018.TenthgradestudentswillparticipateinasessiononJanuary28,2019.Whileitisnotrequiredthatparentsattend,theyarestronglyencouragedtohelpoutasfacilitatorsorobservers.Finally,catechistsandothervolunteersareconsideredMandatoryReporterspertheArchdiocese.Thismeansthattheyaretoexercisereportingresponsibilitiesforanysuspectedphysicalorsexualabuseofminors.FormoreinformationonSafeguardingAllofGod’sFamilycontacttheDirectororchecktheArchdiocesanwebsiteatwww.archmil.org.LearningAboutL.I.F.E.programInordertofulfilltheabovemandate,ourparishesareofferingaseriesofage-appropriatefamilysessionscalled“LearningaboutL.I.F.E.”TheacronymL.I.F.E.standsforLove,Infatuation,Friendship,andExploitation.ThisseriespresentsGod’sdefinitionofwhatRealLovelookslike.Whileinthecontextoflearningpositiverelationships,thenegativerelationshipofexploitation,includingabuse,isalsocovered.Ineachsession,afacilitatorwillhelpyouasparentsdiscuss,withyourownchildren,relationshipsthatarelovingandfriendlycomparedtorelationshipsthatareharmful.Withyourguidance,yourchildrenwillconsiderwayspeoplerelatetoeachother,willdevelopskillstobetterrecognizeandunderstandtheirfeelings,andwilllearnhowtoaskforhelpifevertheyfeelunsafe.Eachsessionisscheduledforchildrenofaspecificagegroupwiththeirparents.Itisobligatorythatoneorbothparents(or,ifnecessary,anotherlovingadult)attendthissessionwithonechildatatime.Thesessionismeanttobeanintimatetimebetweenyouandthischild,sopleasedonotbringotherchildren.Pleasemarkyourcalendarforthefollowingdatesthatpertaintoyouandyourchildren.ThelocationforallYouthMinistrysessionswillbeatSt.PeterofAlcantaraintheParishCenter(cafeteria),thoughwewillbeginwiththeprayerserviceintheChurch.Grade7 Monday,October22,2018 6:15-7:45pmGrade9 Monday,January28,2019 6:15-7:45pmAsmembersofthisfaithcommunity,wehopetopartnerwithparentsinhelpingourchildrendeveloppositive,lovingrelationships,whilegivingtheminformationtheymightneedtohelp

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recognizeabusiverelationshipsinordertoassistintheirownself-protection.Togetherwecanworktowardminimizingtheriskofallchildabuse,especiallychildsexualabuse.Pleasecallifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcernsregardingthisprogramoritscontent.Informationcanalsobefoundat:www.learningaboutlife.org.LearningInFaithTogether(LIFT)FamilyFaithSessionsThisyearweareagainofferingspecialformationopportunitiestoallmembersofourparish,regardlessofageorfamilystatus,throughourLIFT(formerlyGrowingtheCluster)Sessions.Child,Youth,andAdult&FamilyMinistriesalongwithSt.JohnXXIIIschoolarecollaboratingtopresent"LearninginFaithTogether”ThiswillbeanexcitingopportunitytogrowtogetherastheCatholicfaithcommunitiesofSt.JohnXXIIIParish.Duringthesession,wewillhaveachancetoprayandlearntogetherasweexamineourthemefortheyear“BetheHandsofChrist”andexplorehowweasCatholicsarecalledtobeawareofandrespondtoHumanTraffickinghereinWisconsinandelsewhere.(Therewillbealternateactivitiesforouryoungerstudents).Thesamesessionwillbeofferedtwodifferenttimes.PleasenotethatallsessionswillbeatSt.Mary’sinthecafeteria.YouthMinistryFamiliesandCREstudentsarerequiredtoattendONEofthesetwosessionsinsteadofCREthatweek:·Sunday,December2at10:00am·Monday,December3at5:30pmInyourinformationfoldersisashortregistrationformlettingusknowwhenyouplantoattendwithyourfamily.PleasereturnittotheYouthMinistryOfficebyNovember25,2018sowecanplanaccordingly.Spaceateachsessionislimitedsosignupearlytogetyourfirstchoice.Youmayalsoregisteron-lineatwww.stjohn23rdyouth.org.Retreats*UPDATEDPOLICY!Retreatsareanimportantpartofanyperson’sfaithlife,butespeciallyduringone’steenageyearsasstudentsfacemoreandmorepressuresfromschool,workandextracurricularactivities.Aretreatisanopportunitytogetaway,pray,reflect,andgrowcloserinyourrelationshipwithJesus.Retreats/days/eveningsofreflectionrequirement:Middleschool(7&8)andhighschool(9&10)eachhavetherequirementtoattendatleastoneretreat/reflectioneachyear.Thesewillbeofferedseveraltimesduringtheyear.StudentswillalsohavetheoptionofattendingArchdiocesananddistricteventstofulfillthisrequirementand/orparticipateintheMinistryApprenticeship.HighschoolstudentsarealsowelcometoparticipateinretreatsataPlacetoBeSpiritualityCenter(https://www.aplacetobesc.org/)aslongasthetotalnumberofretreathoursfortheyearisatleastfivehours.MiddleschoolstudentsmayparticipateinretreatsatAPlacetoBewithaparentandtheCenter’spermission.(Someretreatsmaynotbeatalevelformiddleschoolstudents.)

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Dateslistedbelowarescheduleddates,whichfulfilltheretreatrequirements.Moredatesmaybeaddedduringtheyear.TheYouthMinistryofficewillinformfamiliesastheseopportunitiescomeup.Pleasecheckthebulletinandwebsiteforupdates.(www.stjohn23rdyouth.org).Flyersfortheretreatslistedbelowareinthefoldersthatwillbedistributedattheparentmeeting.Registrationformsareavailableonthewebsiteandmaybesubmittedelectronicallyormailedin.TheywillalsobeavailableonthetableoutsideoftheYouthMinistryoffice.Ifyouwouldlikeadditionalcopiesmailed,contacttheYouthMinistryoffice.

2018/2019RetreatdatesOctober6,2018 JohnBoscoYouthDayatHolyHill–(Highschoolretreat)October20,2018 Jus$ceDoItServiceRetreatforMiddleschool&highschoolpeer

leadersatSt.Joseph,Gra1onNovember17,2018 RegionalCatholicYouthConference(RCYC)inJoliet,IL(High

school)January23,2019 NETMiddleschoolretreatatDivineSaviorSchool,Fredonia

(middleschool)February2,2019 BetheHandsofChristDayofreflec+onwithJonandMikeatSt.

Peter’s(highschool)February24,2019 ParishRetreat–Discipleship:TheCalloftheGospel(Allages–

familieswelcome!)March16,2019 WisconsinCatholicYouthRallyatCarrollUniversity(highschool) March17,2019 WisconsinCatholicYouthRallyatCarrollUniversity(middle

school)StudentsattendingtheMenofChristorWomenofChristConferenceswithaparentmayapplythatexperiencetowardstheirretreatrequirementafterwritingashortreflection.PleasecontacttheYouthMinistryofficefordetails.Participationinamissiontripand/ortheNationalCatholicYouthConference(NCYC)fulfillstheretreatrequirementfortheappropriategradelevel.Formoreinformation,contacttheYouthMinistryOffice.MinistryApprenticeshipTheMinistryAppren.ceshipisawaytohelpouryoungpeoplegrowintheirfaithandconnectwiththeparish.The“appren*ces”areaskedtopar*cipateinaministryoftheparishduringtheyearwitha“mentor”.Thementorswillberesponsiblefortrainingtheappren7ceaswellascommunica(onandscheduling.Notonlywilltheyoungpeoplelearnaboutaspecificministry,

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eachpersonwillhaveaddi0onalcontactsinthecommunitytohelpthemintheirspiritualandpersonalgrowth.Some%meduringtheyear,eachyoungpersonwillpickaministrytheyarealreadyinvolvedinorwanttolearnmoreaboutandcommittoatleastfivehoursduringtheyeartothatservice,includingtraining,me.MoredetailsareavailableontheYouthMinistrywebsiteunder“MinistryAppren-ceship”arebycontac-ngtheYouthMinistryoffice.Communication/RemindCommunicationbetweentheYouthMinistryoffice,parentsandstudentsisveryimportant.Wewillperiodicallysendoutemailsofwhatishappening,wewillpostinformationinthebulletinaswellassendoutmailingstothosefamilieswhodonothavee-mail.Also,checktheYouthMinistrywebsitewww.stjohn23rdyouth.orgoftenforupdates,registrationsandotherinformationand“Like”ourSt.JohnXXIIIYouthMinistryFacebookpage.Theparishisalsoexploringthefutureuseofaparishapp.Thisyear,wewillcontinuetousethe“Remind”textingserviceforthosefamilieswhohavegivenustheircellphonenumber.Ifyouhavenotpreviouslygivenusyourcellphonenumber,youcansignstillupbysendingatextmessageto81010or734-752-4986withthemessage@portyouth.YoucanalsoupdateyourcontactinformationthroughParishsoft/MyOwnChurchandmakesureyourcellphonenumberislistedthere.FaithFormationCommissionThiscommissionpromotesanddevelopsopportunitiesforlifelongfaithformationaimedatpersonalconversionandgrowthinfaith.Thememberscollaboratewiththepastorandstaffinthisareaofmissiononprogramsofevangelizationandcatechesis.TheFaithFormationCommissioncurrentlymeetseveryothermonth.Ifyouareinterestedinbeingpartofthisimportantcommissionoftheparish,pleasecontactMaureen.ParentInvolvementWerecognizethatitistheparentwhoistheprimaryreligiouseducatoroftheirchild(ren).Westrivetosupportparentsinanywaywecaninthisendeavor.Thebestwaytoeducateyourchildrenisbyexample;byattendingLiturgyonSundaysandHolyDaysofobligation;byadheringtoChurchteachingsandbymodelingChristianvaluesinyoureverydaylives.Wealsoneedparentandparishvolunteersinordertomakethisprogramasuccess.Wearealwaysinneedofcatechists,substitutecatechists,roomparents,andhallmonitors.Catechistsneednothaveexperience,justawillingnesstopassontheirfaith.Theymaybeparents,grandparents,siblings,andinterestedparishioners,anyonewhowantstosharetheirfaith.Wewilltraincatechists.Catechistsalsoreceiveastipendbasedontheirbackgroundandexperience.Substitutecatechistswillreceiveabreakontheirfeesorastipendfortheirtime.

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All students are expected to attend at least one retreat and/or participate in the Ministry Apprenticeship program each year. This is in addition to the Confirmation retreat requirement in 11th grade.

Wealsoperiodicallyneedparent/parishvolunteerstohelpoutonretreats,chaperoneyouthministryactivitiesandothereventsastheyarise.Formoreinformationortovolunteer,contacttheYouthMinistryOfficeorcheckthewebsite.

St. John XXIII Youth Ministry CRE Calendar

2018-2019 All classes meet from 6:15PM to 7:45PM on Monday evenings at Saint Peter’s Campus unless otherwise indicated. Dates listed below are required meeting dates. Please see handbook for information regarding absences, make-up work etc. Middle school refers to 7th/8th grade; high school refers to 9th/10th grade. 11th grade meets at a completely separate time.

September 10, 2018 Mandatory Parent meeting /open house 6:45-7:45PM

September 17, 2018 High school CRE September 24, 2018 Middle school CRE October 1, 2018 High school CRE October 8, 2018 Middle school CRE October 15, 2018 High school CRE October 22, 2018 Middle school CRE 7th grade LIFE

session with a parent October 29, 2018 High school CRE November 5, 2018 Middle school CRE November 12, 2018 High school CRE November 19, 2018 Middle school CRE November 26, 2018 High school CRE

December 2, 2018 LIFT! – pick one to attend!*

December 3, 2018 LIFT! – pick one to attend!* December 10, 2018 Middle school CRE December 17, 2018 High school CRE December 24, 2018 NO CRE–Merry Christmas! December 31, 2018 NO CRE – Happy New Year! January 7, 2019 Middle school CRE January 14, 2019 High school CRE January 21, 2019 Middle school CRE January 28, 2019 High school CRE- 9th grade LIFE

session with a parent February 4, 2019 Middle school CRE February 11, 2019 High school CRE February 18, 2019 Middle school CRE February 25, 2019 High school CRE March 4, 2019 Middle school CRE March 11, 2019 High school CRE March 18, 2019 Middle school CRE March 25, 2019 High school CRE April 1, 2019 Middle school CRE April 8, 2019 High school CRE April 15, 2019 NO CRE – Spring Break!

*During the week of December 2, we will be offering LIFT (Learning in Faith Together! Formerly Growing the Cluster) Intergenerational/ Family Sessions in collaboration with Child Ministry. Families and CRE students are required to attend ONE of these sessions instead of CRE that week: • Sunday, December 2 –

10:00am at St. Mary’s • Monday, December 3 –

5:30pm at St. Mary’s