EFF Main Office Number: (919) 468 - 6120
Martha Waltersdorf, mwaltersdorf@stmichaelcary.org
Important Dates for Second Graders and Sacrament Preparation
Registration Form 2012 - 2013
At-A-Glance Calendar
Policies/Procedures
Permanent Record Form
First Reconciliation/First Eucharist Family Covenant Agreement
6th grade waiver
Special Needs Questionnaire
Stewardship Form
Registration for 2012-2013 Elementary Level Faith Formation opens this week.
Please use this year’s Registration form that you will be sent via e-mail (all returning families should receive this) OR call (919) 468-6120/6100 OR email Martha Waltersdorf at mwaltersdorf@stmichaelcary.org OR pick up information in the parish office (8:30—5, Monday—Friday). Read the Elementary Faith Formation Information to proceed. Please register early to be placed in your first choice of class day/time. Any child registered after August 24, 2012 will be assessed a late fee of $10. Classes begin with Open House on September 16, 17, 18, and 19. Please remember that we need volunteer help to keep our program running smoothly. A class will not begin on the opening date, without a Catechist to teach it.
SPECIAL NOTE: Parish registration is a requirement to enroll your child in ELFF. No child will be placed in a First Reconciliation/First Eucharist class without a previous first year of religious instruction. This 2 year rule is a Diocesan requirement for all sacraments. If your second grader was not enrolled with us last year, please plan to provide documentation of attendance in your previous parish, before he/she will be placed into class.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Elementary Faith Formation program at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church is a ‘family centered’ program that serves children and families from age 4 until completion of the 6th grade. It is ‘family centered’ in that the goal is to catechize the entire family. The National Catechetical Directory calls us as catechetical leaders to bridge the gap between Liturgy, the classroom, and the home: the domestic church. At Baptism parents take an oath to raise their children in the faith. The Church teaches that the parents are the first and best teachers of their children in matters of faith. Our role as catechists is to not only teach the children, but support the ongoing faith growth of the parents.
Parish membership is required in order to register in the Faith Formation programs here at St. Michael. To become a registered member of the parish you must complete a registration form. Please return to the home page of the parish website and/or call 468-6100.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
The next step is to decide on a day/time for your child(ren) and complete the registration form that follows (link to registration form). Return form to the Faith Formation Office (with volunteer form and fee payment) as soon as possible to receive your desired class day/time. To avoid a late fee, please have forms in our hands by Friday, August 24th. (Late registrations will be an additional $10. per child.) Please plan to have your child(ren) attend the class you have requested, unless you hear otherwise from us. You should receive confirmation of enrollment and class assignment by e-mail once forms are processed, but due to numbers, we cannot contact everyone personally. Additional class information will be posted on the website when possible. Scholarships, fee waivers, delayed payment, and/or payment plans are available by request. At-A-Glance Calendars (link) and information on Policies/Procedures (link) will be handed out at the first class.
Families Preparing for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist please note additional events to plan for:
~Two informational evening meetings (parents only) MANDATORY
~Celebration of First Reconciliation (child and parent)
~First Eucharist Workshop (child and parent) MANDATORY
~Celebration of First Eucharist (child, parent, and invited guests)
Parents are also required to read/study a take-home book for each Sacrament with the child and return the book completion form to the teacher/office.
First Sacrament Parents: Please provide a copy of the candidate’s Baptismal Certificate to the Faith Formation Office. If your child was baptized at St. Michael please check that spot on your registration form. A completed Permanent Record Form (link) and First Reconciliation/First Eucharist Family Covenant Agreement are also required for First Sacraments (link).
The Parish Office is open Monday through Friday 8:30 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Please email or call your questions to Martha Waltersdorf, Elementary Coordinator (919) 468-6120 (mwaltersdorf@stmichaelcary.org).
DAYS AND TIMES
Our traditional on-site first through sixth grade classes meet once a week for an hour beginning with Open House on September 16, 17, 18 or 19, 2012 and continue through May 12, 13, 14 or 15, 2013. Classes meet on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 5:00—6:00 P.M. A later Monday session is held from 6:30—7:30 P.M. Sunday classes meet from 10:45—11:45. Children enrolled in 2nd grade and above must be attending Mass weekly. The liturgy is the most important thing a child should be learning about. Attending 12:30 P.M. Mass is possible after these Sunday morning classes. Please do not leave in the middle of the Mass that begins at 10:30 A.M.
Although parents will receive a school year calendar at Open House, regular and occasional Holidays and special days/activities will be announced by e-mail, the website and Parish Bulletin. Please make sure we have your family e-mail.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
Please note you will need to call or e-mail the office before registering your child:
If you have a school-age child, 8 or older, who has not been baptized Roman Catholic.
If you have a baptized child entering 2nd grade anticipating First Eucharist who has never attended any form of religious instruction. Completion of first grade is required to be prepared for the sacraments in second grade.
If you have a baptized child in a grade beyond 2nd who has not made First Reconciliation or First Eucharist.
Together we will determine the best class to help you prepare your child for his/her sacraments.
Sixth grade students whose parents complete this waiver may enter and leave the building without a parent. (link to 6th grade waiver)
SPECIAL CLASSES
Intermediate Sacramental Preparation (Year 2) – A child who was baptized Roman Catholic, but did not receive First Reconciliation/First Eucharist in the child’s second grade year is placed in his/her grade appropriate class for Year 1 of formal catechetical instruction. The following year, the child enters Year 2 of Intermediate sacramental preparation. Class offered Tuesdays from 5--6 P.M.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) -- A process designed for children in Grade 3 or older who were baptized in Protestant faiths and now come to our parish to celebrate First Eucharist. The Catholic Church recognizes them as a Candidate. A class of special instruction is offered in conjunction with our Intermediate Sacramental Preparation class either on Tuesday afternoons or on Sunday mornings to prepare them for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and Eucharist. At Easter time, the Candidate makes a profession of faith, receives the sacrament of Confirmation, and then receives First Eucharist at the same Mass.
Off-Site - classes that are initiated and organized by groups of parents and students who usually live in the same neighborhood or area. These are taught by catechists in their own homes. Please call Martha Waltersdorf for more information at 468-6120.
Home Schooling - parents act as their own child’s catechist using materials provided by the Faith Formation Office. Please call Martha Waltersdorf for more information at 468-6120. Not available for second grade students, Intermediate Sacramental Preparation or RCIC.
Home-School parents and Off-Site teachers/catechists will pick up materials at a scheduled time in early September.
Special Needs We are dedicated to providing a supportive learning environment for all children. In order for us to better serve your child, please complete the Special Needs Questionnaire (link to Special Needs form) letting us know more about your child. We have catechists experienced with special needs children.
Stewardship Opportunities at St. Michael’s
The expression, “It takes a Village…” is certainly true for our Faith Community. How will you help us this year? We ask each family to give a minimum of 4 hours of time and talent to our program. We have jobs for everyone with all ranges of time and skills to offer. The success of our program depends on the enthusiasm and efforts of our volunteers. Volunteer as a….catechist, co-catechist, substitute, hall monitor, child care help, or clerical support. (link to Stewardship Form) Please help us make this the best year ever. Call for opportunities and suggestions.
When we give of our time and talent we are actively involved in the Church’s mission. We are looking forward to working with you.
Thank you for your support!
