Junior High at St. Joseph Parish

7th and 8th Grade Faith Formation

2009-2010 Schedule

This calendar is given to all 7th and 8th grade students, including home-program students. Home-program students invited to all large group events.

Sept.16 Orientation for 8th grade catechists
Sept. 23 Orientation for 7th grade catechists
Sept. 30 Kickoff for all faith formation students and families

Oct. 7 7th grade small group
Oct. 14 No meeting
Oct. 21 7th grade small group
Oct. 28 7th grade large group AND 8th grade large group for Trick or Canning

Nov. 4 7th grade small group
Nov. 11 7th grade small group
Nov. 18 7th Grade small group
Nov. 25 No meeting

Dec. 2 7th grade small group (PCYI)
Dec. 9 7th grade small group
Dec. 16 7th grade small group
Dec. 23 & 30    No meeting

Jan. 6    Midwinter night for All Catechists -no groups
Jan. 13 8th Grade small group
Jan. 20 no groups
Jan. 27 8th grade small group
               7th Gr. Passages—a ‘Foundations in Faith’ night

Feb. 3   Parents/teens 7-10th Mission
Feb. 10 8th grade small group
Feb. 17 Ash Wednesday Worship
Feb. 24 8th Grade small group

Mar. 3 8th grade small group
Mar. 8 Parish- Wide Sacrament of Reconciliation
Mar. 17 8th grade small group
Mar. 24 8th grade small group
Mar. 31 Holy Week No groups

Apr. 7 No groups
Apr. 14 8th grade small group

May 5 Volunteer Appreciation

FAQ:

“What are the Large Group Nights? Are they optional?” Periodically, for the students’ “light” semester, there is a specifically designed activity to fill in a portion of their faith formation. These are not optional activities, but part of the whole program year. They are held from 7:00-8:30.

“I don’t see 2^nd Harvest on the schedule – are we still doing that?” Yes! Each 7^th and 8^th grade group will volunteer at 2^nd Harvest during their “off” semester. Once classes have begun, a schedule of when your child’s group is going will be posted on the website. Specific information and a permission form will be mailed 2-3 weeks before their date. Parents are welcome to volunteer along with the students. This service project goes from 4:00 – 8:00 on Wednesdays and has been a highlight of the middle school faith formation program. The youth are proud of their service and gain awareness of hunger issues. Second Harvest is the upper Midwest’s largest foodbank (not shelf) with two locations. We serve in the Minneapolis location (small, contained, and secure), sorting and packing food.

“What’s “Passages”?” In our society, we don’t do a terrific job of recognizing that our children change remarkably as they transition into adolescence. This night is a non-intimidating, engaging way to mark this sacred time with parents and youth. Eighth graders and their parent(s) who missed this in 7^th grade are welcome to attend.

“How do we find out about Fun Fridays?” Watch the bulletin and website for details. If the event requires a permission form, they will be available on the website, outside the parish office, and on the bulletin board in the classroom wing. To save on postage and paper, there will not be mailings for each event. For families who have given St. Joe’s an email address, we will email out information. Fun Fridays