Class Notes: 2024-2025
Memory Rocks
Our children painted some rocks at our Religious Education end of year picnic and we placed them at the foot of the St. Therese shrine that is outside of our front entrance. We also have some rocks in remembrance of our beloved Catechists that are no longer with us. May St. Therese continue to watch over our children wherever they go!
Grades 6,7,8 Final Project
Our 6/7/8 graders had a final project for our Religious Education classes. In celebration of Pope Leo and his commitment to social justice, we discussed various issues in our area and around the world. How can we make a difference using what Jesus teaches us-"Love One Another." Students had to answer-what subject is important to you and your connection, how can you make an impact in the future. Subjects included-violence, healthcare, protecting the earth, worker rights, and youth mentoring. We should all be very proud as our young parishioners continue to learn, grow, and walk with Jesus!
May Crowning
Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a tradition of the Catholic Church that is celebrated in May. Two of our First Communicants carried and then placed a floral crown on a statue of Mary. The other students placed roses in a vase.
Congratulations to Our First Communicants
We are so happy to have celebrated the First Holy Communion of Julianna, Lucia, Jackson, Otto, and Oscar on Sunday, May 4. Their families and Mrs. Sanger journeyed with them in preparation for this special day. How very proud we are of them all!
Holy Thursday Meal
Before the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper, a supper of soup with six choices, bread, and cookies was hosted by the Christian Formation committee at St. Therese. Besides these tasty offerings and conversation, there was music with a variety of Last Supper images for the 36 guests.
Stations of the Cross
The Christian Formation students usually pray the stations of the cross during Lent together. However, this year they presented living stations of the cross after the 9:00 liturgy. Students either portrayed the main characters in the 14 stations or ended the station with a prayer.
Welcome New Altar Servers
Recently, several children and a parent have been trained and mentored by Pat Safavi to minister as altar servers at St. Therese Parish. Besides being prayerful, they need to do before and after tasks as well as be aware of procedures throughout the liturgy. They are doing a wonderful job in using their talents for God and our community. And a thank you to the parents for encouraging and signing them up to serve.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
In the readings for the 5th Sunday in ordinary time, Jesus asked fishermen Peter, James, and John to cast their nets. Because they had fished all night without catching any fish, their initial reaction was an excuse to avoid Jesus’ request. The children and all of us can relate to that feeling. However, they did as Jesus asked and experienced a miracle as well as a call to follow Him. Let’s turn our reluctance to Jesus’ request into a yes.
Advent Wreath Lighting
On the Second Sunday of Advent, the 1st-3rd Grade catechesis students lit two candles on the Advent wreath. In the following weeks, the other students will be participating in this tradition. Their classrooms and homes have this symbol of waiting and preparing as well.
2nd Annual Food Drive!
Our 2nd Annual Food Drive was a success thanks to YOU! Thank you all for supporting the Christian Formation Food Drive this year, benefitting the Hunger Task Force. Our donation totaled 151 pounds! Our kids enjoy donating and we did donate about 20 more pounds then last year. Maybe another 20 pounds next year....Thank you all!
All Saint's Day
Our first through third grade catechesis students represented saints who are often associated with the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. At Mass, they processed in and then presented their saint after the homily. Catechesis students from fourth through eighth grade read a short biography of the saint and their special relationship to a sacrament.
This Year's Theme
As the banner indicates, the theme this year for the religious education classes is to “do small acts with great love.” Then each class group picked a virtue to focus on with those acts. Each heart acknowledges an act for that virtue that was done and shared by a student. These banners and students become part of the recessional.
A New Year Begins!
Christian formation classes have begun and the students chose an iron on emblem for their t-shirt. We anticipate they will wear these to class to reflect their belief in God.
