The 2019-2020 Faith Formation school year has started!
Our Theme for this school year is:
SOS – Sharing Our Saintliness.
The Faith Formation classes will be focusing on Saints and the important role that Saints have in our lives and in our Faith. Each classroom will be adopting a Saint and we will be asking each family to adopt a Saint of their own to represent their family.
We will be sharing throughout the school year the different things the classrooms will be doing associated with these Saints.
The Faith Formation students and their families have participated along with OLG parishioners this month to contribute non-perishable foods for the Knights of Columbus food drive. Each family was given a paper grocery bag to place the items they purchase. We would like to thank all the families that were very generous with their donations. We would like to thank the Knights of Columbus for distributing our collection to needy organizations.
Next Sunday, November 17th the Class 7 students will be hosting the 10:00 am Family Mass. All families are encouraged to attend. After Mass, the Class 7 students will be going over to the Parish Center for their retreat. Please keep these students in your prayers.
Catholic School Children and Families
If you have a child attending a Catholic school, please contact our Faith Formation Office so we can keep you informed of different events and information that we present to our families of school age children. Also, if you have a child in 2nd grade , please contact us so we could let you know all pertinent information for your child to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Call the Faith Formation Office at 203-375-6133 or email denisebartelson@olgstratford.com.
CLASSES
Classes 1-3 will be on Saturdays 8:45 – 10:00 am.
Classes 4-6 will be on Saturdays 10:15 – 11:30 am.
Classes 7 & 8 will be on Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:30 pm.
The Nazareth Program
If you have a child or know a family member or neighbor that has not had the opportunity to start classes in 1st grade or who has missed years of Faith Formation or receiving the Sacraments, we offer a special program called “The Nazareth Program.”
Over the past few years many children have had the opportunity to “catch-up” on their Faith Formation and get on track receiving their Sacraments. Please call the Faith Formation Office at 203-375-6133, email denisebartelson@olgstratford.com for more information or pass this bulletin if you know someone in this situation. Thank You!
The Parish Altar Servers play an important role in our Parish Liturgy. As we look forward to a new school year, I would like to invite our children 4th grade and older to join our Altar Servers. Registration will take place after the Religious Education program begin in September.
In order to help our children learn about the Mass and participate, I am looking for a few men and women! I will need your assistance in attracting the young, in training them to serve and also to help build a community.
If you are interested or have some questions, you may contact Msgr. Ryan at 203-377-0928 or email: msgrryan@olgstratford.com
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
FAMILY MASS – Every class will host a mass. The schedule is:
Oct. 27, 2019 – 10:00 am (Class 6)
Nov. 17, 2019 – 10:00 am (Class 7)
Dec. 8, 2019 – 10:00 am (Classes 1&3 Blessing of the Crèche)
Jan. 12, 2020 – 10:00 am (Baptism Mass) Jan. 26, 2020 – 10:00 am (Class 2)
Feb. 9, 2020 – 10:00 am (Class 4)
Feb. 23, 2020 – 10:00 am (Class 8)
March 15, 2020 – 10:00 am (Class 5)
March 29, 2020 – 10:00 am (Class 2 Instructional Mass)
April 26, 2020 – 10:00 am (Closing Mass)
Growing Up Catholic Baptism Class
If you are planning to have your child baptized at Our Lady of Grace Parish, we ask you to attend our “Growing Up Catholic” class. The GUC class will give you a chance to center your faith journey with your child and take advantage of a time to meet other young par- ents in the parish. The next GUC class will be held on Sunday, November 10th at 1:30 pm in the Madonna Hall. For further information contact Melissa at 203-556 -0611 or email BaptismProgram@olgstratford.com.
Pope St. John Paul II coined a phrase in histeaching “On the Family” when he called the Family the “Domestic Church”. Our families come in many shapesand sizes and are looking to belong! If you are Grandparents, Godparents, Aunts, Uncles, or a family member, you have a great opportunity to witness the Faith bysharing the contact information about “Growing up Catholic”. We invite families with young children to contact Melissa Lembo: 203-556-0061.
Our Lady of Grace Adult Faith Formation program intends to empower the adults of our faith community to nurture a loving friendship with God and to prepare them to be witnesses to the Gospel of Christ’s mercy and love. It intends to achieve this through prayer, study and fellowship.
For more information contact Lynn Corra at (203) 374-9094,Terry Morgan at paxterry@gmail.com, or Sue Zello at smzello@gmail.com
Adult Faith Formation – The Mystery of the Eucharist
What is the Eucharist? Is it simply a remembrance meal or symbol? Why is it called the “Real Presence”? Why do we celebrate it at Mass? What place does it have in the life of a Catholic? Would you like a deeper understanding of what the Church teaches about the Eucharist? We invite your participation in our on-going discussion, join us at our next meeting. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 21st in Madonna Hall from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm. We invite you to join us and explore these questions. For more information contact Sue Zello at 203-368-6000 or Lynn Corra at 203-374- 9094.