CALLED TO BE CHURCH

 

 

            ON MARCH 5, 2007 THE CORE TEAMS OF THE SIX PARISHES IN OUR LOCAL PLANNING GROUP MET FOR THE SECOND

            TIME TO CONTINUE DISCERNING HOW BEST TO INVIGORATE THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF JESUS IN OUR LOCAL

            CHURCH.  THE TOPIC THIS MONTH WAS “LIFE LONG FAITH FORMATION:  EARLY CHILDHOOD.”  A SUMMARY OF THE

            DISCUSSION FOLLOWS.

 

            What is available currently in our planning group for children from conception to age 5?

                        ●  Children’s prayer space in body of church with books, etc. for little children

                        ●  Children’s Liturgies

                        ●  Children invited to come around altar during liturgy

                        ●  Bulletin boards for small children

                        ●  Children are recognized/encouraged as part of the worshipping body

                        ●  Children’s artwork is displayed in prayer space

 

            List the current programs/services we have for families with young children:

                        ●  Baptism during Liturgy

                        ●  Elizabeth ministry for parents of newly Baptized

                        ●  Changing tables in restrooms

                        ●  Monthly mailings of prayer/faith materials to parents for use with pre-schoolers

                        ●  Welcoming/affirming parents with infants and young children at Liturgy

                        ●  Families with children are welcomed as part of worshipping community, not asked to separate themselves in cry rooms, etc.

 

            List the unmet needs:

                        ●  Follow up on newly baptized

                        ●  Support groups for new parents

                        ●  New parents sponsor newer parents

                        ●  Pray for and bless children at liturgy

                        ●  Faith development programs involving parents

                        ●  Summer bible school

                        ●  Involve Godparents in Baptismal preparation

 

            What we can/will do – immediately:

                        ●  Take ideas mentioned back to the parishes

                        ●  Make liturgies more celebrative

                        ●  Worshipping communities need to be more inviting

                        ●  Invite young families to make their special needs known

 

            What are some preliminary recommendations for the future from this planning group to respond to the needs of young

            children and families?

                        ●  Work city-wide on implementing programs and sharing resources

                        ●  Celebrate children’s Liturgies monthly and rotate them among parishes

                        ●  Implement generations of faith program in the city

 

            WHAT’S NEXT?

                        The Local Planning group will meet again on Monday, April 16 at 7:00 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Parish in Waterford to

                        discuss “Life Long Faith Formation: Ages 6 – 18.”  Please continue to keep the Planning Group and the entire

                        Pastoral Planning Process in your prayers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to website Call to be Church    Home Page