“But Jesus called for them and said,
‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them;
for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 

“Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents.” Catechism of the Catholic Church #2226

The Faith Formation Staff at St. Cecilia’s is to help you as parents/guardians to nurture and foster growth in the Catholic faith of your children.  We are aided by the tremendous help from Catechists/volunteers of our Parish who give of their time and talents in a variety of ways. We have two different options for Faith Formation – Traditional Classroom Style and a multi-aged, Montessori based program called Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Our Elementary Classroom Faith Formation program is open to children in Kindergarten through 5th grade.  We utilize the “Be My Disciples” series published by RCL Benziger. “Be My Disciples” is a spiral curriculum that covers the Trinity, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Gospel, the Saints, and other Catholic teachings appropriate to each grade level.

Elementary Classroom Faith Formation is offered in two different sessions on Wednesdays the St. Cecilia Education Center; parents can pick which time is best for their family.  Class sessions with less than 5 students may be combined with another grade level.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is offered at a variety of times on Tuesday and Wednesday.  This program is for children age 3-12. Click here to learn more.

Registration for 2020-2021 school year are now open.  You may register by clicking on the Faith Formation tab above and choosing “Registration”.  If you have questions about our programs you can contact Mary Downey, Administrative Assistant at (515) 232-3514.

For other questions contact Melissa Teggatz, Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation at (515) 232-3514 or mteggatz@stceciliaparish.org.

Mass Minutes with Melissa

Short reflections to better prepare children to hear the Gospel message during weekend Mass. Most weeks you will find a task or a challenge for your family. Head over to Shepherding our Songbirds on Facebook to share your family’s response to the weekly challenge. 

To view past Gospel reflections visit our YouTube Channel: St. Cecilia’s YouTube Channel

NEW FAMILY RESOURCE!

Looking for ideas on how to raise your child up in the faith?  Need suggestions on how to get through Mass with little ones?  What to meet other Christian families? If you answered YES to any of these you will want to check out Shepherding our Songbirds on Facebook.  This is a special group for Christian families where Melissa Teggatz, Coordinator of Elementary Faith Formation,s share ideas and resources for all kinds of families. Every Thursday she posts Mass Minutes with Melissa.  A short video to help your child be prepared for the weekend Gospel reading. Join us at Shepherding our Songbirds.

St. Cecilia’s Faith Formation Program and Anchor Youth Ministry Covid-19 Procedures

Traditional Classroom Programs and Youth Ministry

Drop Off:

1. Parents will pull up alongside the Education Center sidewalks to drop off their student(s) using the main doors. Parents will remain in the car in order to keep the line moving. High schoolers who are able to  drive will park in the main lot.
2. Parents wanting to walk their student(s) to the door must park in the lot and walk the student(s) to the main door.  Parents will not be allowed to enter the building.
3. Adult volunteers will be stationed at the main door and in the hallways to ensure that students get to their classrooms.
4. All persons entering the building must wear a mask.
5. Students will walk directly to their classroom and wash or sanitize their hands.

In Classroom:

1. Everyone will wear a mask at all times.
2. Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles, but no other items may be brought from home.
3. No food will be allowed inside.
4. Students will sit in the same desk each week, socially distanced as much as possible.
5. Basic supplies such as pencils, sharpeners and erasers will be kept in a pouch for each class. The pencil sharpeners and erasers will be sanitized with a wipe by students after each use and put back in the pouch for another student to use.  All other supplies (colored pencils, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, etc.) will be stored in the Faith Formation office in sets of ten for catechists to borrow for the night.  At the end of the class, these will be put in a marked location so they are not used by the next session. Staff will return them to the supply closet after time is given for the virus to die or they are individually sanitized.
6. When class is over, students and/or catechists will wipe down all touched areas with a sanitation wipe.  This includes chairs, desks, light switches, closet doors and door handles.
7. Students will wash or sanitize their hands as they leave the classroom.

Pick Up:

1. Parents should arrive 5 minutes early.
2. Parents will form a carline alongside the main doors of the Education Center and remain in their cars, or they may park and walk up to the front area to pick up their student(s). Please social distance from other waiting parents.
3. Students will be dismissed by class in a staggered fashion to allow for social distancing.  They will exit the Education Center with their class and wait outside for pick-up.
4. Please Note: Middle School students needing to wait for a High School driver will wait in the entry area of the Education Center, remaining socially distanced.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Drop Off:

1. Parents will walk their child(ren) into the narthex.
2. All persons entering the building will wear a mask.
3. Parents and  assistant catechists will help children hang up their coats and place shoes near the rack.
4. Children will then visit the restroom to wash their hands.
5. Children will walk directly to their atrium

In Atrium:

1. Everyone will wear a mask.
2. Children will choose a marked area for their workspace, socially distanced as much as possible.
3. Children will choose a chowki/clipboard/mat for their work area.
4. Each child will have their own pouch of supplies containing one regular pencil, colored pencils, scissors, glue stick, pencil sharpener, and eraser.  Sets of markers will be available as needed.
5. Pouches will be kept in a bin for each section.  Only the section that is meeting will have their supply pouches on the shelf
6. Once materials have been used, children will place them on a designated shelf where the assistant will sanitize them.

Pick Up:

1. Parents will come into the hall/narthex area to pick up their child(ren).
2. Parents are to stay back from the atrium doors and social distance while they wait.
3. An assistant catechist will watch for parents and dismiss children as they see families in the hall.  Children will remain in their atrium until parents arrive.