FAITH FORMATION

The church has a a plan for our salvation!  We are called to be lifelong learners.  Therefore regular attendance at Sunday Mass is the primary way we experience the mysteries of our faith. In addition to Sunday Eucharist, Religious Education and Faith or Spiritual formation helps us to dive more deeply into the meaning and practice of our faith.

From Families in Faith (our multigenerational PSR) to CAFE (Catholic Adult Faith Education), Vacation Bible School, and RCIA, we offer formation opportunities for every step of the faith journey!

Here are some helpful resources:

Click here for Family Prayers when Gathering for Mass is not Possible.

Click here to access Daily Mass Readings.

Families in Faith is a multigenerational family Parish School of Religion program that is for everyone!  All are welcome. 

Using Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, PSR curriculum is centered on the Sunday liturgy in a way that is engaging, easy to teach, and involves the family.

From 9:15am to 10:45am, multi-generational family sessions with breakfast are held one Sunday each month, and in-person classes for children from Kindergarten through Grade 8 are held  two Sundays per month. See calendar for session dates.

Families from other parishes are welcome to register for PSR with the permission of their pastor. For more information about our PSR program, please contact our Parish Office: (440) 943-2133.

RCIA

It's about changing lives for Christ!

TO BE A CATHOLIC MEANS:

• To live a life centered on Jesus Christ and His saving action.
• To take part in and live out the Sacraments given to us by Christ, that offer us strength. 
• To be enriched by the word of God.
• To be provided with models and heroes. (The Saints)
• To take part in and practice personal and communal prayer.
• To be part of a rich tradition of caring for others, building a better life, and sense of belonging.
• To have meaning and freedom in our lives.

We will begin the process of initiating adults into the Catholic faith very soon.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults consciously and freely seek the living God in their lives and are initiated into his Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.  It is a walk with Christ and with other adults where the basics of our faith are shared and conversion is celebrated.  

Now is the time to take the opportunity to be initiated. We can tailor-make a program to fit your life schedule.

Please share this with adult friends or family who you think would like to become Catholic or who have been baptized Catholic and would like to complete their initiation through Confirmation and First Communion. Also, if you know someone who might need an invitation contact the Parish Office at 440-943-2133.

MAKE CHRIST THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE. BECOME CATHOLIC.

Adult Faith formation

Sunday mornings 9:20am -- 10:40am: join our dynamic group in Room 104 for a fresh look at the scriptures. Questions are welcomed! Cathy Stirling facilitates our (Adult and High School Youth only) group as we learn, grow and pray together by breaking open God's Word. Bring your own coffee or other beverage and/or snack. All are welcome to drop in to CAFE - it is an eye opening experience!

CAFE
Cafe' Ministry (Catholic/Christian Adult Faith Experiences) 
[Adult and High School Age Youth Only]
                    

Prayer in Preparation For Mass

Gracious God,
Open my mind and my heart to share the 
gift of Christ's presence at Mass.
                           
In the living word proclaimed, help me dis-
cover the path of discipleship.  
                           
In the sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood,
join me more closely to yourself.

In the community at prayer, give me support        
to live according to your will.

In the world I encounter, give me courage 

to bring the blessing of the Eucharist to
those most in need.

Please grant this through Christ or Lord. 

Amen

Several years ago when I was a member of SMM Parish Council we studied a document called "Our Hearts were Burning Within Us" by The US Catholic Bishops.  In Luke 24:32 we read, "Then they said to each other 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?'"  From that study came much prayer and discussion and discernment and the beginning of the Cafe Ministry.   

The Parish Council gave their blessing and Cafe was born.  By now hopefully you are curious about Cafe' and just what we do there.  Every Sunday between the 8:00 and 11:00 Masses various parishioners gather to break open the scriptures.  That just means that we read aloud to each other the readings we heard/or will hear at Mass that day.  After we read them we talk about them.  Moses and Isaiah and Matthew and all of the prophets and evangelists have come alive at Cafe'.  Come and see.  Join us.  We'd love to have you!  Come see how it feels to "have your heart burning within you."   

There are men and women that come and people from all different generations.  There are no fees and there is no attendance policy- the door is aways open.  See you in room 104 in the parish center, one of these Sundays.  We'll be waiting for you.

God Bless you,
Cathy Stirling
Facilitator for Cafe'
I can be reached at (440) 463-4147 for any questions or concerns.  

Vacation Bible School FUN!

Join us July 17 - 20, 2023 at St. Mary Magdalene for a 4-day Camp experience of faith: full of songs, stories, games, snacks, and crafts. 

Mornings (9:00 a.m. - Noon)  for children ages 4 through those entering 5th grade. 

This year's adventure explores a Carnival Coaster World! Wrapped up in all the fun, participants will find out what it means to Believe, Trust, Know God and Obey Him without fear as they zip along the ups and downs of the roller coaster of life.

Registration is only $30 per child. All who register before July 1 will receive a free t-shirt!

For more information contact Rosemarie Sisler at the Parish Office 440-943-2133.

Click here to register online.

Click here to download registration form.

VBS Volunteers

Interested in Volunteering for VBS? 

If you would like to voulnteer for VBS you can contact Rosemarie Sislier at the Parish Office 440-943-2133.

See descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities below:

Games Volunteer:

Help children play team-building games, by helping them to understand the instructions, assist in game demonstration, and participate actively in the game and cheer children on as they participate.

Story Time Volunteer:

Assist children in hearing the bible story of the day, by helping the storyteller with props, keeping children together and focused, and encouraging the children to participate.

Song Volunteer:

Helps children learn upbeat VBS songs, by greeting children with a smile and showing them where to sit, following the motions and singing along, getting the children involved.

Snack Volunteer: 

Snacks is where children come for a tasty snack.  Your job is to seat children at the tables.  Quiet children and help them focus on the treat leaders as the snack is explained.  Talk with the children abut their experiences at VBS that day.  Help children clean up their area before leaving.  Assist the Snack leader with set-up and clean-up of the kitchen area each day.

Craft Volunteer: 

Crafting is an exciting chance to create something beautiful.  Your job is to:  Lead children to their assigned space for the day.  Help children with their craft when asked.  Help Crafts leaders with daily set up and clean up.

Questions about volunteering?

If you have any questions about a volunteer opportunity, please contact Rosemarie Sislier at the Parish Office 440-943-2133.

Catholic Schools:

• All Saints of St. John Vianney

• Mater Dei

• Our Lady of the Lake

• Ss. Robert & William