Article 4 Whole Community Catechesis August 22, 2004

   Whole Community Catechesis has been around U.S. parishes for about five years.  But the process goes way back to Old Testament times.  In that time people gathered around the family hearth to tell stories, share values, instruct the young and celebrate special times and events.  In our own time the fathers of the Second Vatican Council have renewed the concept and Pope John Paul II has referenced the Domestic Church over one hundred-fifty times in his writings.  Domestic Churches, your homes are the basic cell of the Parish Church.  The parish is the gathering place for these basic cells.  Over the past three weeks we have been introducing the concept to you through the bulletin and on the website.  Today we encourage you to sign up for our many opportunities.  Our theme for the 2004-05 year is the Catholic Creed.  Consider registering this weekend for the following programs:
Generations of Faith: the program designed to prepare the whole community to celebrate the liturgy in a meaningful way - all generations - families with or without children in the home - single parent families and extended families - everyone in our sacrament preparation programs, Family Program, School families, and those in our youth ministry programs.  With themed “Take-Home” packets, lessons, music, stories, and activities, our parish will prepare for four liturgical events:  The Feast of St. Francis in October, The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December, A Seder Meal to prepare for Holy Thursday at the end of February and beginning of March, and the Feasts of Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi in May.
Monthly Family Festivals for families with children not in our school.  At these festivals there are breakout sessions for children and adults based on the Sunday Readings and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. 
Preparation for Sacraments: RCIA, Children’s Catechumenate, Re-Membering Church, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation.
Youth Ministry: Junior Youth for middle schoolers and Senior Youth for those in high school.  Programs includes prayer and worship, bible study, trips, games, social times, outreach, retreats and learning about our faith.
Adult Education: Catholicism for Dummies is to be held monthly on Tuesday evenings, Scripture Study on Monday and Thursday mornings.  Various retreat experiences, workshops and other offerings as need and interest dictates.

   Registration is after all masses this weekend and next.  Or, you can stop by the office from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM to see Jackie Mallory, Kerry Mayo, or Katie Zorn about registering.

Please Mark Your Calendars:

  • Registration for all religious education programs, youth through adult, begins on August 22 after all Masses, and continues through September 3.
  • Orientations for Sacrament Preparation programs and School of Faith programs September 11 and 12.
  • Four Parish Events to prepare for: Feast of St. Francis on October 1-4, Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 3, 4, & 12, Lenten Seder Meal February 26 & March 5, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi preparation May 6 and 7.
  • Scripture Study begins the week of September 12.
  • Family Festivals on Sundays after the 9:00 AM Mass September 26, October 24, November 21, January 30, February 27 & April 24.
  • RCIA, Re-Membering Church and Children’s Catechumenate Tuesday evenings beginning September 14.

   For further information about the many faith formation preparation programs under the umbrella of Whole Community Catechesis contact Jackie Mallory at (813) 839-5337 Ext. 131, email jmallory@stpatricktampa.org, or Kerry Mayo at Ext. 143, kmayo@stpatricktampa.org.

   Check the Calendar on the Religious Education page for dates and times of the Religious Education Programs.