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Faith Formation for Children |
| The youngest
members of Good Shepherd grow through faith formation classes,
Sacramental preparation, and family activities. Our classes for children
comprise the largest part of this ministry. Several hundred children
attend weekly grade-level sessions in which they learn to know, love,
and serve God and, by extension, each other, in small classes taught by
volunteer teachers. Classes in English are available for preschool and
kindergarten-aged children on Sunday, and Monday through Thursday for
kindergarten through sixth grade. Spanish classes are held on Sundays
and Tuesdays for kindergarten through sixth grade. We also offer the
Rite of Christian Initiation of Children for those who wish to be
baptized and received into full communion with the Catholic Church, on
Sunday mornings in English and Wednesday evenings in Spanish. We strive
to create a nurturing and safe environment for the children through
classroom lessons, prayer services, and special activities such as
Vacation Bible School, sacramental preparation gatherings, teaching
liturgies, and family reconciliation services. |
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There are a number of
opportunities in Child and Family Faith Formation, and therefore there
are also many ways for people to get involved. Please take a look
at the ministries listed below and on the individual ministry pages
linked to the left. For more information, please contact Marilyn
Krause at
marilyn@gs-cc.org. |
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Catechists: This wonderful group of volunteers
teaches classes to our parish's children. They prepare and lead 60- or
75- minute weekly lessons from September through May, and are able to
choose the grade level and times they teach. Time commitment:
approximately three hours a week for nine months, plus regularly
scheduled gatherings and training sessions. |
Class support personnel: Hall monitors, nursery staff, and office
helpers assist during class times watching children in the halls, and
preschool children of catechists. They also provide administrative
support to the children's formation efforts. Time commitment: 60- or
75-minute class times, and other times as needed. |
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Vacation Bible School: Our week long program of songs, games,
crafts, and Bible stories is a fun week for the children who participate
and the teens and adults who serve as crew leaders and activity center
leaders! Volunteers are an essential element for this program for
children ages 4-10. Time commitment: Crew leaders should attend at least
one organizational meeting beforehand and be present each of the five
days of Vacation Bible School. Center leaders are expected to help
decorate their space and prepare to lead the children who visit their
center in the particular activity. |
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First Eucharist and First Reconciliation helpers: Assistance is
needed by the coordinators to prepare materials for meetings, prayer
services, and the receptions after our First Reconciliation service and
First Eucharist Liturgies. Time commitment: One to two hours before each
of the four meetings and receptions. Contact: Gretchen Walzl – (703)
765-6231. |
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Nursery helpers: Good Shepherd has a cooperative nursery during
the 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday liturgies. While some paid staffing is
provided, we ask all parents who use the nursery to volunteer once a
quarter. Time commitment: One hour quarterly. |
Reception Helpers: We have a number of social functions requiring
assistance in planning, shopping, setting up, serving, and clean-up.
Events include catechist training sessions, catechist mid-year
appreciation dinner, beginning and end of the year ice cream socials.
Time commitment: Varies. |
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Children's Experts: We have a number of special needs that arise
during the year for which we would like professional expertise in
classroom management, special needs children, and intercultural issues,
to name a few. Can't commit to teaching a class, but want to offer your
skills to a catechist or a group of catechist at one of their meetings?
Consider being a classroom resource to our regular volunteers! |
Family Ministry: Family ministry, while not a new concept, is
presently being developed at Good Shepherd. We are exploring ways
families as a whole can develop in their faith lives. We currently
envision a blend of social, service, and spiritual activities on a
regular basis that would appeal to families of all sizes and ages. |
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Family Events: There are several activities for families of all
ages and sizes: our Pizza and Penance parties, Fat Tuesday Pancake
suppers, intergenerational events, movie nights, and parenting seminars.
All of these events require many hours of volunteer help. Keep an eye on
the bulletin for these seasonal needs and who to contact to sign up! |
Family Faith Formation Committee: We would like to have a group
of strategic thinkers who can envision long-term strategies for our child
and family faith formation programs, offer and implement ideas for
enhancing faith formation for these groups, and advise the director. |
