Thank you to those families that came out to register your child/children for the new school year. We are looking forward to working together as we all continue with lifelong Faith Formation. You should have received an email from us with the information below. You also will be receiving the calendar for the school year through the mail. If you have not registered or have not received this information, call the FF office at 203-375-6133 or email denisebartelson@olgstratford.com. All students need to be registered prior to the first class.
We are hoping you can help us by thinking of any family, friends or neighbors you know that have children between the ages of 6 and 16 that have never attended Religious Education classes or came for a few years and then dropped out. It is important as Disciples of Jesus to reach out to these families and invite them to come or come back to our Church. We can do this by reaching out one family at a time. All the information is below that is needed to guide them what they can do. Give them the bulletin, see if they have any questions about our Church. Tell them we are here to welcome them.
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 or email Denise at 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 FOR PARENTS
This Sunday, September 15, 2019 at 10:00 am there will be a Mass for Catechetical Sunday that I invite and encourage you and your family to attend. It will be a celebration of the beginning of classes with special blessings and we will be hosting a social after at the Parish Center. Please come and meet all the catechists and one another.
Classes 7 and 8:
Wednesday, October 2, 2019 there will be a parent/student meeting from 7:00 – 8:00 pm for all 7th and 8th grade students and a parent. A parent needs to accompany their student, no student can attend without an adult, this is not a regular class but a mandatory meeting. We will be meeting at the Parish Center in the Madonna Hall. If parent and student are not able to attend another meeting time will need to be scheduled prior to the first regular class on October 16, 2019. Classes on that night will be for students only:
Classes 7 & 8 will be Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:15 pm
Classes 1 – 6:
Saturday, October 5, 2019 there will be a meeting for parents and a special class for all children in Classes 1-6 from 9:30 – 10:45 am. (please take note of the time difference just for this Saturday) A parent needs to accompany their children, no child can attend without an adult. We will be meeting at the Parish Center in the gym. If you are not able to attend, we will have to schedule another meeting date prior to the first regular class on October 12, 2019. Classes on that day will be for the children only.
Classes 1-3 will be Saturdays 8:45 – 10:00 am.
Classes 4-6 will be Saturdays 10:15 – 11:30 am.
Oct. 27, 2019, 10:00 am (Class 6)
Nov. 17, 2019 10:00 am (Class 7 Mass)
Dec. 8, 2019 10:00 am (Class 1&3 Blessing of the Crèche)
Jan. 12, 2020 10:00 am (Baptism Mass?)
Jan. 26, 2020 10:00 am (Class 2 Mass)
Feb. 9, 2020 10:00 am (Class 4 Mass)
Feb. 23, 2020 10:00 am (Class 8 Mass)
March 15, 2020 10:00 am (Class 5 Mass)
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 parents in the parish. The next GUC class will be held on Sunday, September 8th at 1:30 pm in the Church. Please contact Melissa at (203-556-0611) or email: BaptismProgram@olgstratford.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? A recent PEW study indicated “nearly seven-in-ten Catholics (69%) say they personally believe that during Catholic Mass, the bread and wine used in Communion “are symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.” Starting Thursday, September 12 we’ll be discussing these questions and more 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.