children

Welcome!

Pre-School Faith Formation
Our optional Pre-School program for three, four and five-year old children is offered on Sunday mornings during the 9:00 AM Mass, September through April.  Parents are encouraged to assist with classes.  Children must be toilet trained.

Good Shepherd
Since Fall of 2008, our parish has been collaborating with St. John Neumann, offering Good Shepherd catechesis at St. John Neumann. The facility at SJN was rebuilt in 2006 with a specially designed atrium for each level of Good Shepherd: Level I (ages 3-6), Level II (Grades 1-3), and Level III (Grades 4-6). During the summer before the combined program began, catechists and parents from both parishes created an additional Level II atrium to accommodate the many 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders who attend Good Shepherd.

You can register for Good Shepherd as your weekly faith formation program if your children are between the ages of 3 and 12. This collaboration is an excellent opportunity for us to enrich a greater number of our parish children through Catechesis of the Good Shepherd while working together with our neighbors at St. John Neumann. If you would like to see the Good Shepherd atriums at St. John Neumann, please call Kate at Ext. 23 to schedule a "tour." There will also be an orientation in August before sessions begin in September; and parent meetings throughout the year.  2010 - 2011 Good Shepherd Calendar

Weekly Faith Formation
This program serves children in grades K through 8.  Choices vary from Sundays 6:45 - 8:15 PM (grades 7/8); Mondays 4:30 - 6:00 PM; Tuesdays 4:30 – 6:00 PM, or 6:30 – 8:00 PM; or Wednesdays 4:30 – 6:00 PM, or 6:30 – 8:00 PM.

Family Program
Family Program allows parents to provide the bulk of their child’s Faith Formation at home. Students study the textbook at home with the help of their parents, and complete an on-line Chapter Review for each chapter completed, with the results being e-mailed to our office. The children, together with at least one parent, also attend one Family Meeting per month (October – April) on Sunday mornings from 10 AM to 12 PM. Family Meetings provide a fun way to learn and build community. Families stay together for the first hour of Scripture, music, food, and activities – then children go to classrooms for grade-level activities while parents enjoy an adult speaker. It’s ideal for families who have both parents employed outside the home, for single parents, for children with busy schedules, and for parents who enjoy teaching their own children.    Family Program Information.  Family Program Getting Started Letter.

Faith Builder Events
Middle School Faith Builder Events are fun and formative events that are open to all students in grades 6 through 8.  They are required for all students in Summer Program and Middle School Home Study and optional for all others.  Friends are welcome.  View the list of 2010-11 Faith Builder Events Click Here!. - Report Faith Builder Attendance

Catholic Vision of Love
The Catholic Vision of Love (CVOL) is the standard diocesan safe environment program designed to provide relevant information for children in Preschool through High School catechesis. The parent information pages for children in Preschool through Grade 4 can be found at the link below.   Materials are now available for children in 5th grade.  Parents, please look for the home study CVOL Curriculum with parent (catechist) and student lessons at the link below.

The Diocese of Pittsburgh has required that ALL middle school students (grades 6-8) complete the CVOL curriculum as part of their Faith Formation year. This may be accomplished through our on-site one day retreats or through the Home Study Model.

The "Catholic Vision of Love" (CVOL) program was designed by the Diocese of Pittsburgh to support parents by conveying God's beautiful plan for human love and sexuality in a convincing and developmentally appropriate manner. At SS John & Paul, we offer CVOL retreats for grades 5, 6, 7, and 8 – with different content each year. These retreats are designed to proclaim the Good News about sexuality in such a way that children will enjoy the retreat, draw closer to Jesus, and not feel uncomfortable or bored. Parents may choose the Home Study Model and cover this material with their child on their own schedule.

The parent handbook, Talking to Youth About Sexuality: A Parent’s Guide is available in our Parish Library. Parents are welcome to borrow this resource. Copies are also available for purchase in the Library (Room 1).

If you have any questions about the CVOL Curriculum, please contact Kathy Masters at 724-935-2104 X36.

Summer Program
Summer Program is available for Middle School Students as an alternative model for Faith Formation.  Students attend three-hour morning sessions for two weeks in July.  The program includes service, fellowship, crafts, games, prayer, music, Mass, refreshments, speakers, instruction, and discussion.  Students are also required to attend five Middle School Faith Builder Events throughout the year.  View the list of 2010-11 Faith Builder Events Click Here !.

Middle School Home Study
This program provides a third alternative model of Faith Formation for Middle School Students.  Parents receive a textbook for each child and guide the child in home study.  Children complete online Chapter Reviews; and results are e-mailed to the parish.   Students are also required to attend five Middle School Faith Builder Events throughout the year.  View the Middle School Home Study Information.  View the list of 2010-1 Faith Builder Events Click Here!.

G.A.P. Ministries
G.A.P. (God's Awsome People) is a parent-led program providing supplemental fellowship, service, and learning opportunities for children.  G.A.P. Kids serves children in grades K through 5.  G.A.P. Middle School serves children in grades 6 through 8.  Parents, together with high school teen mentors, plan and staff many exciting events throughout the year.  All children of the parish are encouraged to participate and are invited to bring their friends (non-Catholics welcome)!  Events are advertised through the parish bulletin, the bulletin board in the downstairs hall, and direct mailings.