Junior High at St. Joseph Parish

7th and 8th Grade Faith Formation

2011-2012 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.    14    Training for 7th & 8th grade Catechists—7-8:30 pm
    18    Catechetical Sun.—7th & 8th gr. volunteers: be at one of the masses
    21    Training for 7th grade catechists
    28    Kickoff for 7th-10th gr. Teens and parents (6:30-7:30 pm)

Oct.     5    7th grade small group
    12    7th grade small group
    21    No meeting
    26    Trick or Canning for Grades 7-9

Nov.    2    7th grade New Missal Teaching Mass & 8th Grade Feed My Starving Children 5:15-8:15 pm
    9    7th grade small group
    16    Safe & Sacred Night for Gr. 7-10 Teens/Parents (Required)
    30    7th grade small group

Dec.     7    7th grade small group
   14    7th-8th grade (Shoebox night)
Dec.
21, 28—No meeting

Jan.     4    No meeting – Midwinter Catechist Night
    11    8th grade small group
    18    No meeting
    25    8th grade small group AND 7th grade Parents/Teen “Passages” Retreat 7:00 pm

Feb.    1    8th grade small group and 7th grade Feed My Staring Children 5:15-8:15 pm
      8    Parish Mission for Families
    15    8th grade small group
22    Ash Wednesday
27    Parish Reconciliation Night 7:00 pm for all grades
29    Leap Night - All Family Event 6:30-8:00 pm

Mar.    7 8th grade small group
    14    No meeting
    21    8th grade small group and 7th grade Movie with a Message large group night
    28    8th grade small group

Apr.    6    Fasting Overnight Retreat (Good Friday)
      8    No meeting
    18    8th grade small group

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