Faith Formation INFORMATION 2013-2014

CHURCH OF SAINT BENEDICT
Office of Lifelong Faith Formation
3980 Main Street
Amherst, NY  14226
836-6444
msmith@saintbenedicts.com

Dear Parents,

If you have not done so already, please take moment to register for Religious Education at St. Benedict’s parish for the 2013-2014 academic year.  Enclosed, please find materials that you need to register your child, or children.  Please return the forms and the tuition as soon as possible so we can arrange class lists and obtain the proper number of textbooks and teachers.

We offer two styles of Religious Education on two different days;
one centers on the family, the other in the classroom.

SUNDAY CLASSES – Generations of Faith
All people of all grades and ages are welcome to join
our intergenerational faith sharing program.

           Generations of Faith is a wonderful program to strengthen faith in your home, as well as within our larger family of faith, the church!  Children and parents gather on nine Sundays throughout the year.    Each meeting is three and half hours long, from 9:00 AM – 12:30 AM,  which includes a delicious breakfast, prayer, lively discussion and mass!  Parents are the first and often the most influential teachers of the faith. 

We will meet: September 22, October 20, November 17, December 15,
                          January 12, February 9, March 16, April 6, May 4

MONDAY CLASSES - Traditional Classroom Instruction

            Grades 1-5 meet from 4:00 - 5:15 PM
            Grades 6, 7, 8 & 11 meet from 6:45-8:00 PM
            (Note: Grades 9 & 10 now meet at St. Leo’s for Confirmation preparation, see
              http://www.stleothegreatamherst.com/religiouseducation.php  )
            
 We will meet: September: 23, 30  October: 7, 21, 28  November: 4, 25  December 2, 9, 16  January: 6, 13, 27  February: 3, 10, 24  March: 3, 10, 17, 31  April: 7, 28  May: 5, 12 

In summary, one engages the whole family in sharing our faith and meets on Sundays, the other program is traditional classroom instruction and meets on Mondays.  Sunday gatherings are longer (and include more homework) but only meet once a month.  Monday classes are shorter and meet most every Monday during the school year.  Families are invited to choose which program they like best. 

Transportation:  Please note parents will need to arrange for their child's transportation both to and from all classes.  To ensure student safety, we request that parents walk their children into the school building and come into the building to pick their children up, especially of students in grades K-5.

Tuition:  For St. Benedict’s Parishioners, the tuition for one child is $60, two children $100, three or more is $140.  For non-parishioners, the tuition for one child is $80, two children is $140, three or more is $190.

No one will be turned away from the program if they can’t afford the tuition.  Tuition is waived for the children of teachers in our program.

Snow:  If the Public School is closed due to snow or bad weather, we automatically do not have class.

Sacraments: Information about the Sacramental Programs will go out in another mailing, but for now please note that First Confession for children in 2^nd Grade will be held in early March, and First Communion for children in 3^rd Grade in early May, and Confirmation in the 10^th& 11^th Grade will be held sometime in early May).

Office Hours: Please feel free to stop by the Office of Faith Formation before or after all masses on the weekend, or set up a meeting any other day by appointment.  The Office is located on the ground floor of the School near the front door, as indicated at the top of this letter, or you may email Matt Smith, the Director of the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation, at msmith@saintbenedicts.com and/or call 836-6444.


Matthew R. Smith
Director of Lifelong Faith Formation

Office of Faith Formation
3980 Main Street
Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 836-6444
msmith@saintbenedicts.com

Saint Benedict
Roman Catholic Church
www.saintbenedicts.com

Parent Volunteer Opportunities 2012

Parent Services Form
Confirmation Program 2012-2013
St. Benedict Parish

 ust as we expect our teens to become more involved in service during their confirmation year, we also must seek the support from you the parents.  Please select the way(s) you would be willing to help.

 

CATECHIST
Assisting with Sunday Confirmation sessions.  We will be teaching in teams and sharing our faith in our group setting.  Faith sharing discussions which, include adults who practiced their faith for many years, offers great insight and depth to our conversations.
 

FOOD

Organize and schedule families to contribute food and drink for the Sunday morning sessions.  Plan and organize food and drink contributions for the Retreat meals and snacks.

 

FOOD PROVIDER

Will provide food for Sunday morning session and the Retreat.

 

PRAYER COMMITTEE
Develop and execute a plan to have the church community pray for each candidate individually.

 

Parent/Guardian Name(s):__________________________________________________________

 

Phone: _________________________ Email: ______________________________

 

Committee(s) on which I (we) will serve:

 

___  Catechist

 

___  Food Committee

 

___ Food Provider

 

___ Prayer Committee

  

Thank You!

Confirmation Information 2012

Confirmation Program

St. Benedict Parish

2012-2013

General Information:  The Sacrament of Confirmation is administered in the Spring of the year to young adults who are in the eleventh grade and who have completed the instructions and requirements for the reception of the Sacrament.  The Confirmation program at St. Benedict’s Parish will help candidates grow in their relationship with our Lord and Savior as well as promote actively living to build the Kingdom of God here on earth!

Requirements

 

Pray:  It is important that you are spiritually ready when you receive the sacrament of confirmation.  Each candidate should set aside five minutes of prayer time each day.  You can read Scripture, recite learned prayers, share with God what you’re feeling or just sit in silence before our Heavenly Father.  It is difficult to establish or deepen any relationship without investing time.  Take time to draw closer to the Lord.

 

Register:  Parents and Students are asked to register for the formal preparation program through the Office of Faith Formation.

 

Candidate & Parent Meeting: Monday, September 24, 2012 - 6: 45 - 8:00 PM - Confirmation meeting with Parents and Candidates in school cafeteria.  For all Grade 11 students from Catholic and Public High schools.  Candidates and a parent must attend.

 

Confirmation Classes:  For the most part, Confirmation classes will be held on Sundays in the Office of Faith Formation (Room 13 of the school, from 10:30 A.M. - !2:30 P.M. (which includes attendance at the 11:30 A.M. mass).  We will meet on: October 21, December 16, January 13, February 10 and April 21, May 19.  In November we will meet in the evening on All Saints Day, Thursday, November 1, 2012, 7PM – to attend All Saints Day Mass in Church and in March we will meet on a Saturday for a retreat.

 

Retreat: Saturday, March 16, 2013, 1:00 - 6:00 PM - Confirmation Retreat in Office of Faith Formation (includes attendance at 5:00 PM mass).

 

Baptismal Record:  All candidates are required to show proof of Baptism.  If Candidates were baptized or received First Eucharist at St. Benedict’s parish, we will have the records on file in the parish office.  Candidates who were baptized at a parish other than St. Benedict’s need to provide a copy of the original certificate.  Please provide a copy as soon as possible.

 

Attendance at Program:  Weekly attendance at Mass with our parish community is expected of all candidates for the Sacrament.  Attendance at classes, service projects, retreats and other required events is extremely important.

 

Choosing a Confirmation Name: Due October 21^st
At the time of Confirmation, candidates may choose another name to be added to their Baptismal name.  The name should be a canonized saint whose life, virtue and courage are in some way an inspiration to the candidate.  This confirmation name is important, it is used during the Confirmation ceremony.  Confirmation names are due in the Office of Faith Formation by our first meeting in October and we will pray that these saints intercede on our behalf at the All Saints Day Mass on November 1^st. 

 

Choosing a Confirmation Sponsor: Due December 16th

Every candidate must choose a Confirmation sponsor who will be present at the Confirmation ceremony.  The sponsor must be: a member of the Catholic Church who has received all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation); someone who has deep commitment to the Catholic Faith and Christian values; a person who will assist and encourage the candidate in living the Gospel message.  Sponsors may be a man or woman and it may be a godparent from Baptism.  Parents are not allowed to be Confirmation sponsors for their children.  If the sponsor is not a member of St. Benedict’s parish they must obtain a letter of recommendation from their Church.  Sponsors from St. Benedict’s do not need recommendation letters.

 

Service: Due March 16th
The Sacrament of Confirmation inspires us to greater Christian maturity and to a greater sense of service to others.  Service to the Church and community is an integral part of living our faith. Confirmation students are required to do 11 hours of service, working with people in great need such as helping at homeless shelter, nursing home, soup kitchens, etc. 

 

Confirmation Rehearsal: The date is tentatively set for Monday, May 6, 2013, 6:45 - 8:00 PM in Church.  The evening includes finial instruction.

 

The Celebration of Confirmation: We will let you know as soon as we get the date from the Bishop.  The celebration is usually in May.

 

The spirit of the Lord is upon me,

Because the Lord has anointed me;

He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,

to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

and release to the prisoners,

To announce a year of favor from the Lord

and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn;

To place on those whom mourn in Zion a diadem instead of ashes.

To give them oil of gladness in the place of mourning,

a glorious mantle instead of a listless spirit.

You yourselves shall be named priests of the Lord,

ministers of our God you shall be called.

I will give them their recompense faithfully,

a lasting covenant I will make with them.

Their descendants shall be renowned among the nations,

and their offspring among the peoples;

All who see them shall acknowledge them

as a race the Lord has blessed.

The Word of the Lord.

Is 61, 1-3. 6. 8-9

A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah

 

Due October 21^st

Choosing a name for Confirmation:
 
At the time of Confirmation candidates may choose another name to be added their Baptismal name. The name should represent an individual or canonized saint who virtue reflects or speaks of the Christian Gospel.
 

In the Bible, conversion to following God is often symbolized by a change in the name: Abram becomes Abraham, Simon becomes Peter, Saul becomes Paul. At Baptism we receive a name to symbolize our new life in Christ. It probably makes most sense to keep your own baptismal name at Confirmation after having done a little more research on the saint for whom your parents named you. If you wish, however, you may take a new symbolic name for Confirmation.

 

A candidate should not choose a name because one likes the sound or to honor a family member, rather candidates should choose a name of a saint about whom you have studied and read, and you wish to imitate that person in your own life, candidates symbolize this by taking on her or his name.

Whether you are going to use your Baptismal name or choose a new name, please write a one page (250 typed words) that includes a brief summary of the life of this saint along with what you admire or what inspires you about the life they lived.

 

NAME OF CONFIRMATION STUDENT: ______________________________________________

 

THE NAME I HAVE CHOSEN IS: ____________________________________________________

  

 

Due December 16th

Choosing a sponsor for Confirmation:

As in Baptism, so in Confirmation, the supportive and complimentary role of the parents and sponsor must not be minimized.

 

A. The Role of the Sponsor

1. To assist in the preparation for the Sacrament.

2. To present the Candidate to the Bishop.

3. To help the Candidate in the fulfillment of his/her baptismal promises.

B. Qualifications - Because of the nature of the relationship between the sponsor and the candidates for confirmation, it is most reasonable that the following criteria be maintained in choosing a sponsor. The sponsor must be:

1. Sufficiently mature for the role.

2. Be a member of the Catholic Church who has received all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation).

3. Demonstrate an active and deep commitment to Christian values and practices, particularly through a serious attempt to live out the implications of the Gospel message.

4. Be capable of receiving a letter of recommendation from her/his proper pastor.

C. Who May be Chosen: The sponsor may be a man or woman who fulfills the above requirements. It may be a godparent from the Baptism of the candidate to be confirmed. (The new Code of Canon Law does not allow parents to act as a sponsor to their children in the Sacrament of Confirmation.) A sponsor is to be an auxiliary witness to the faith who will be an encouragement to the individual candidate.

 

NAME OF CONFIRMATION STUDENT ____________________________________________

 

THE CONFIRMATION SPONSOR I HAVE CHOSEN IS:

 

NAME _______________________________________________________________

 

 

STREET ______________________________________________________________

 

 

CITY, STATE ___________________________________________________________

 

Relationship to the Confirmation student (brother, sister, aunt, friend, etc.)

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

Please Note - Sponsors from St. Benedict's Parish do not need a letter of recommendation. Our records will show that the sponsor is practicing the Catholic faith and has been confirmed.

 

 

Service to be completed and essay handed in by March 16th

 Choosing a service project:

Confirmation students are asked to engage in a minimum of eleven hours of service in preparation of Confirmation. In the Gospel we read of the following question posed to Jesus, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:36-40). Our faith calls us to a life of love and service. These hours of service help candidates appreciate the challenges and rewards of the Christian life of faith. Candidates are asked to carefully discern their gifts and talents, as well as the problems they see facing our world and choose an activity that helps them best serve those in greatest need. Please describe your service to others (at least 100 words).  Do you feel that this service was of value to you and to those whom you served? Why?  You are the future of the Church and one of the greatest assets of our parish. In what areas do you see yourself possibly be more involved in the parish life here at St. Benedict's?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Your signature at the bottom of this sheet is important and verifies that you completed your confirmation Service Project. God bless you and be assured that we are proud of our Confirmation students.

 

 

______________________________________________

(Signature of Confirmation Student)

 

The number of service hours was _________

Faith Formation FORUM 1 Sep 2012

Family Faith Formation

FORUM

 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL:  Nearly sixty volunteers and students came together for our totally Catholic VBS.  Our theme this year was SKY and we learned about the boundless possibilities of faith, "For God all things are possible" (Mark 10:27).  I wish to extend special thanks to all who made this week so special.  Next year we will come down to earth with the theme "Kingdom Rock" which we will be held from July 8th - 12th.  Save the date or sign up now!

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION: If you have not yet registered your children for Religious Education, it is not too late to do so.  Monday classes will begin September 10, and our Sunday intergenerational faith sharing program, called Generations of Faith, will begin on September 16^th.

 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  The Office of Faith Formation needs your help!  All our programs, Religious Education, Youth Ministry, the Sacramental Program, Vacation Bible School, Service Programs,

etc., all depend on the generous support of volunteers.  If you are interested in teaching, being a teachers aid, hall monitor, a volunteer in the office, chaperone, etc., we have a job for you!  

 

CATECHETICAL SUNDAY:  We cordially invite all students, parents and teachers to join us on Sunday, September 16^th at the 10:00 AM mass.  Catechetical Sunday is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the role that each person plays, by virtue of Baptism, in handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel.  It is an opportunity for all to rededicate themselves to this mission as a community of faith.  Each year, Catechetical Sunday is celebrated on the third Sunday of September.  The 2012 Catechetical Sunday theme is: "Catechists and Teachers as Agents of the New Evangelization".  

 

YEAR OF FAITH: Pope Benedict XVI declared a “Year of Faith” in his Apostolic Letter entitled, Porta Fidel.  This special year of prayer and devotion will begin on October 11, 2012 to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the twentieth anniversary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  During the year of faith Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the catechism to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the faith.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL MATT SMITH AT THE OFFICE OF FAITH FORMATION AT 836-6444 OR WRITE TO msmith@saintbenedicts.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tech & Religious Ed. Workshop here

TECHNOLOGY & RELIGIOUS EDUCATION WORKSHOP

St. Benedict's is hosting a special Diocesan workshop on Tuesday, March 13th from 6:30 to 8:00 on using technology to tell the Story of Christ. The workshop is being led by Tim Welch who is the author of Technology Tools for Your Ministry. Tim is a consultant for the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota. The workshop is open to everyone, but would be very valuable for anyone interested in teaching religious education. Please Call 847-5501 to register or email esantini@buffalodiocese.org. This workshop is free due to a grant from Our Sunday Visitor.

Religious Education Program - trad. classes

Dear Parents,
Good afternoon and thank you for registering for Religious Education at St. Benedict's!
We are looking forward to a wonderful year of learning together.

This is just a reminder that traditional classroom instruction of Religious Education begins on Monday,
September 26th as follows:
- Grades 1-5:     4-5:15 PM
- Grades 6-12:   6-7:15  PM

Drop off and pick up will be at the Westfield Lot, School Entrance.
Teachers, volunteers and I will be in the foyer to greet you and give you directions on where to go.

I will be in the Office of Faith Formation (room 13, on the ground floor of the school), before and after all masses tomorrow if you want chat and/or feel free to call me with any questions at 836-6444 or email me at msmith@saintbenedicts.com

Again, welcome and see you on Monday!

Matt Smith
Director of Youth Ministry
& Religious Education
at St. Benedict's

Religious Education Program REGISTRATION LETTER

Saint Benedict Religious Education
3980 Main Street
Amherst, New York
716-836-6444
Email: ReligiousEducation@saintbenedicts.com

Dear Students and Parents,

My name is Matt Smith.  I was recently hired to serve as the Director of Youth Ministry and Religious Education here at St. Benedict’s.  You may have heard that Sr. Virginia is stepping down after twenty-two years of faithful and dedicated service as Director of Religious Education.  I wish to personally thank her for all she did to share her faith with my family and the whole parish for all those years.

Enclosed, please find materials that you need to register your child, or children, for Religious Education at St. Benedict’s parish this year.  I would be most grateful if you could return the forms and the tuition as soon as possible so we can arrange class lists and obtain the proper number of textbooks and teachers.
We offer two styles of Religious Education:

SUNDAY CLASSES – Generations of Faith
All people of all grades and ages are welcome to join
our intergenerational faith sharing program.

            Children and parents gather on nine Sundays throughout the year.
            Each meeting is three hours long, from 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM,
            and includes prayer, mass, lively discussion and a delicious lunch!

Parents are the first and often the most influential teachers of the faith.
Generations of Faith is a wonderful program to strengthen faith in your home,
as well as within our larger family of faith; the church!

We will meet:
                     September 18, October 2, November 6, December 4,
                     January 8, February 5, March 4, April 1, May 6.

MONDAY CLASSES - Traditional Classroom Instruction

            Grades 1-5 meet from 4:00 - 5:15 PM
            Grades 6-12 meet from 7:00-8:15 PM

We will meet:
                     September: 26   October: 3,17, 24, 31   Nov.: 7,14, 21, 28 
                     December: 5,12,19  January: 9, 23, 30   February: 6, 13, 27 
                     March: 5, 12, 19, 26  April: 2, 16, 23, 30   May: 7, 14, 21

In summary, one engages the whole family in sharing our faith and meets on Sundays, the other program is traditional classroom instruction and meets on Mondays. Sunday gatherings are longer (and include more homework) but only meet once a month.  Monday classes are shorter and meet most every Monday during the school year. Families are invited to choose which program they like best.

CATECHETICAL SUNDAY
Whether you choose Sunday or Monday classes,
we ask that all students, parents and teachers make their first gathering of their Religious Education at St. Benedict’s Church on
Sunday, September 18th at the 10:00 AM mass.

We study our faith so that we might be better followers of our Lord. This special liturgy will start our academic year. Please make a special effort to join us!


Please Note
Busing: 
Please note we will NOT be providing bus service from Smallwood and Windermere for grades 1-5 this year.  Parents will need to arrange for their child's transportation both to and from all classes.

Snow: 
If the Public School closes because of snow or bad weather, we automatically do not have class. In case of bad weather, listen to WBEN or WRG Radio, or channel 4 & 7 (we will also send an email to all families with computers).

Sacraments:
Information about the Sacramental Programs will go out in another mailing, but for now please note that First Confession for children in 2nd Grade will be held on Saturday, March 3rd and First Communion for children in 3rd Grade will be held at noon on May 5th (and Confirmation for Grade 11 will be held sometime in May).

Tuition: 
For Parishioners, the tuition for one child is $60, two children $100, three or more is $140.
For non-parishioners, the tuition for one child is $80, two children $140, three or more is $190.
No one will be turned away from the program if they can’t afford the tuition.
Tuition is waived for the children of teachers.

I wish to apologize for these registration materials coming later that usual.  I ask for your patience, prayers and assistance during this time of transition.  Please consider becoming a teacher or volunteer in our Youth Ministry programs!  Please stop by and see me.  I am in the office everyday, but the best time to catch me is on Sunday before or after mass, or by appointment.  The Religious Education Office is located on the ground floor of the School near the front door, as indicated at the top of this letter, or you may email me at msmith@saintbenedict’s.com and/or call at 836-6444.

In closing, I wish thank all the parents and parishioners who volunteer their time to teach our children.
Thank you for sharing the good news of our faith with the next generation so we might grow
in our love of God and service to our neighbor.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Matthew R. Smith
Director of Youth Ministry and Religious Education



CHURCH OF SAINT BENEDICT                                 Date: _____________
Religious Education
REGISTRATION FORM  2011--2012
                    
Please complete this form and return it in person or by mail to:

CHURCH OF SAINT BENEDICT
Religious Education Office
3980 Main Street
Amherst, 14226
Please make tuition checks payable to: St. Benedict’s

 Please check the Religious Education Program you prefer:

         [] Sunday: Generations of Faith
         [] Monday: Traditional Classroom Instruction

Child’s Name:                                                 Gender: Female __  Male __  
Age:___  Grade as of September: ___             Date of Birth:
School presently attending:

Child’s Name:                                                 Gender: Female __  Male __  
Age:___  Grade as of September: ___             Date of Birth:
School presently attending:

Child’s Name:                                                 Gender: Female __  Male __  
Age:___  Grade as of September: ___             Date of Birth:
School presently attending:

Child’s Name:                                                  Gender: Female __  Male __ 
Age:___  Grade as of September: ___              Date of Birth:
School presently attending:

Does your child require any exceptional student educational services:
Learning Disabilities []  Language Impairment []  Emotionally Impaired []
Other _______________________________________________


Family Name:
Address:
Town:
Zip Code:

Email Address:

Daytime Phone: 
Evening Phone:             
Cell Phone:                         
Emergency Contact Phone:


Father’s Name:
Religion:
Occupation:

Mother’s first & maiden last name:
Religion:
Occupation:

Is your family registered here at St. Benedict’s Parish?   Yes []   No []

If you are not registered at St. Benedict’s, which parish do you belong to?

I am willing to assist in the following area(s):
Teaching []  Substitute []  Classroom Assistant []
Religious Ed. Office Assistant []  Other ___________________

Parent Signature _________________________________________