Next Generation Programs
Faith Finders
Our program for children in grades kindergarten through 4, titled Faith Finders, will occur on Sunday mornings during the 8:30 and 11:15 am Masses. After Opening Prayer, children attending Mass with their families will be invited to join us in the Parish Faith Finders Room to listen to a more kid friendly reading of the Gospel, participate in a short discussion/reflection of its message, and discuss/reflect how its message relates to them. This will be followed by a brief related activity before the children are asked to re-join their families (to occur before the Offertory). Our goal is for kids to strive to attend 25 sessions throughout the calendar year. We are asking families to register; however, there is no fee to register.
Cost: Free to all parishioners
F.I.L.M.
Falling in Love with Mass (FILM) is our "Next Gen Sunday Nights" 5th grade topic. Youth arrive at SMA at 5:45 for snacks and fellowship and then then the group heads over to the Church to explore and learn.
This is an up-close and hands-on opportunity to experience all things that have to do with Mass. We will frequently have guests join us to tell us about their Mass ministry and to let the kids try it out; greeters, ushers, lectors, sacristans, Eucharistic ministers, live stream team, our music director, even Fr. Scott will make an appearance to share with the kids what their role is at Mass.
The entire group will be trained as altar servers in late October. What better way to learn about the Mass than to be assisting the priest in the Sanctuary during a Mass!
In addition to the Mass, we will learn about the things in our church, the relics, statues and pictures, how to turn the lights on and off (it's more complicated than you think!). We will also learn about the Stations of the Cross and will lead the congregation in the prayer on one of the Friday nights in Lent.
Cost: $70
O.A.R.
Our 6th grade program, titled Our Ancient Roots (OAR), is designed to take students on an amazing journey through the Bible with a focus on stories from the Old Testament. Students will discover how the people, places, and events of the Bible come together to reveal the remarkable story of our Catholic Faith.
The program covers the main people, places, and events of salvation history as recorded in the Bible. Our objective of this year's program is for students to develop awareness and to deepen their understanding that the Bible is a collection of stories, teachings, and events inspired by God and written for our benefit.
Class sessions will vary from week to week and will include a mix of narrative stories and engaging hands-on activities. Videos, skits, and plays will be interspersed throughout the year. Students will also participate in a class service project of their choice! All students will receive their own Catholic Youth Bible, Great Adventure Bible Tabs and a carrying case so they can practice their new skills at home too.
Cost: $70
The Chosen
Our Next Generation program for students in grades 7 through 12 will occur on Sunday evenings from 5:45 to 7:00 pm and will begin with fellowship. The focus of our program will be centered around The Chosen which is a multi season drama series about the life and ministry of Jesus. Each episode tells a story about Jesus, often shown through the eyes of those who met and followed him as his disciples.
The objective of our program is for students to better understand Jesus, as he lived, to show Jesus in a way that is more personal, intimate, immediate, and relatable so students can better understand the importance of what he was trying to teach, and to learn more about the people who encountered Jesus and ultimately became his disciples.
Class sessions will vary from week to week and will include watching episodes of The Chosen, breaking away in small groups for reflection and discussion, and comparing episodes of The Chosen, as presented, to similar biblical references and stories. Students will also participate in various community service projects throughout the year! All students will receive their own Catholic Youth Bible, Great Adventure Bible Tabs and a carrying case so they can dive deeper into what they’re learning at home too. Cost: $70
First Eucharist
Our First Reconciliation and First Eucharist prep will be held on Wednesday evenings at 4:15PM and will be led by our Sacramental Coordinator, Lisa Patton. These second grade students are also encouraged to participate in our Faith Finders at either the 8:30 or 11:15 Masses.
Cost: $80
RCIC: Rite of Christian Initiation for Children
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) will be offered during the Family Faith Formation meeting time. This is intended for children, not baptized as infants or who are baptized but have not received any formal catechesis, who have attained the use of reason (age 7 +) and are of catechetical age.
This will be led by our RCIA Coordinator, Jean Paul.
Cost: $75 per family
"Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."
- Timothy 4:12 -