Welcome to St. Vincent de Paul's Catechism for Children 2010-11

We have some interesting changes and some continuing developments in our Catechism here at St. Vincent de Paul. 

First the BIGGEST CHANGE is that the main Catechism will be on  THURSDAY NIGHTS this year.  Those of you who have been with us may need to revisit extra-curricular activities schedules and let coaches and tutors etc. know about the change.

Next, the BIG CHANGES for CONFIRMATION Preparation:  The Archdiocese has stated for many years that parishes should require children to have Catechism at least ONE YEAR BEFORE their sacramental preparation year.  So we will make this transition along with other changes in approach to Confirmation Preparation.  Our Youth Director, Allison, will be teaching the final year of Confirmation Preparation, Sacrament & Mission, and Mr. Larry Brooks will be teaching the initial year, Foundations.  While this year 7th graders will start right in with Allison in the final year, 6th graders need to be in Catechism THIS YEAR to be eligible for the final preparation NEXT YEAR.  So 6TH GRADERS let all your friends who are SVDP Parishioners know that they should START CONFIRMATION THIS YEAR.

COMMUNION PREPARATION:  First Communion Preparation will also be affected by the Archdiocese call for Catechesis at least ONE YEAR BEFORE the sacramental year.  We are starting Level II of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which is ALL children ages 6-8 (1st-3rd Grade) and will include those preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion.  We will be learning as we go this year, so please be patient.  Those in First Grade will be learning about all the same things as preparation for next year.  Those in Third Grade will revisit the topics but in a deeper way and will begin to work together to synthesize the concepts better.  After a few weeks of getting acclimated to the Atrium style of classroom Parents will be able to sign-up to be an observer in the classroom.  Parents of potentially First Communion track children will need to attend the PARENT MEETINGS beginning with the Orientation in the Fall (see schedule).

FINALLY, We will have several timeframes for the youngest children ages 3-5 years old for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  I decided to call these "Little Lambs" and they will be also invited up during the Saturday 5 PM Mass.  Each Little Lambs Session because of the size of our atrium will only allow for 12 children.  We might have additional Level II Sessions next year.

Sincerely in Christ,

Andrew Watson, Director of Religious Education