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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION/FAITH
FORMATION PROGRAMS
Holy Cross offers religious instruction from early childhood through adult
life. There are also specific preparation programs for celebrating the
Sacraments.
Parishioner volunteers serve as catechists and assistants in the
children's and youth classes. Workshops are held several times a year to
prepare the catechists. In addition, every person who works with children has
taken the Archdiocesan Protecting God's Children program training and agrees to
a background check. Anyone interested in this catechetical ministry may call
the parish office to volunteer.
KINDERGARTEN
Sessions are on Sundays in the school year during the 9:00 Mass. Children
who are five-year-old by October 1 are in the kindergarten classes.
GRADES ONE THROUGH FIVE
Weekly classes are on Sunday mornings from 10:15 -11:25 A.M. Sessions
begin in September and continue through April. Children register the Sunday
classes.
GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE
See the section under "Youth Commission."
RCIC
Children who have not been baptized receive special instruction on Sunday
mornings. All aspects of catechesis are covered as the children are prepared
to receive their sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist at the
Easter Vigil.
RCIY
See the section under "Youth Commission."
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Adults interested in learning about the Catholic faith, Catholics wishing
to be Confirmed or those wishing to renew their faith are welcome to
participate. Classes are designed especially for this purpose and are held
once a week in the evening. Parishioners wishing to become involved by being
sponsors are encouraged and welcomed. The commitment is for the whole season.
For further information please call the parish office.
ADULT ENRICHMENT
Scheduled presentations in the Fall and Spring, and short courses geared
to interest, are offered periodically. Topics include bible study, prayer,
parenting, social justice issues and sacramental preparation. Forums to
discuss current issues in the popular culture and how they relate to our
Christian life are offered as they come up. Special learning experiences such
as our annual Red Tent Night for women are offered during the year. The
Family, Faith and Fun Committee offers bibles study for families from time to
time. Meetings consist of a simple meal and a lesson on a bible topic. The
Proclaimers, all graduates of the Catholic Biblical School, offer classes to
adults and youth. Ongoing information on these classes and events will appear
in the parish bulletin or you may call the Religious Education office at the
parish number.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Special topics are addressed at certain times, depending on interest, and
may include popular novels or movies. We have studied The DaVinci Code
and "The Passion of the Christ" for example. Another example is our
annual Red Tent Night for women. It is held in May and is an opportunity to
learn, enjoy the companionship of the other women in the parish, and to have
fun. All women, including teenagers, are invited. For more information or to
suggest topics of interest, call Pat Halpine.
OTHER COMMITTEES
If you wish to support the Religious Education Program in creative and
original ways, these are the places to help:
- The Spiffy
Committee checks classrooms one or two times a year with the idea of
keeping them attractive to students. Small projects to improve
appearances can be done.
- Caring Hands
Committee specifically helps teachers when certain projects require
"extra hands."
- The Parish Library
is being updated and improved. If you would like to promote adult
learning, this is a good place to become involved.
- The Adult Education
Committee identifies and invites speakers to address relevant and
thought provoking topics at the Sunday morning session. The Committee
meets a few times each year to plan and prepare.
REGISTRATION
Registration for any of the above is held in late August. Later
registration may be made in the parish office. For further information,
please call the parish office.
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