SEPTEMBER 14 UPDATE:  THIS PROGRAM IS NOW FULL; THEREFORE WE CAN ACCEPT NO MORE REGISTRATIONS FOR THE FAMILY PROGRAM.  WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU REGISTER YOUR CHILDREN FOR THE WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAM FOR GRADES 1-5 OR THE SUNDAY MORNING PROGRAM FOR GRADES 6-8.  THERE IS ALSO AN ADULT SPEAKER SERIES DURING THE WEDNESDAY EVENING PROGRAM.  THIS SERIES BEGINS ON OCTOBER 14, 6:30 - 8:00 P.M..

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4:00 – 7:00 p.m. (The whole family!)
Corpus Christi Center (120th & Quincy Street)

The Family Program is all about the family learning about faith together.  Each month, the children, teens and adults have activities, speakers, videos, etc. on the same topic.  It “kicks off” the month.

At the end of the evening, each family receives a Home Packet with activities to do each week of the following month, related to the topic of the evening.  Usually one or two of the activities are brought back to the group the following month.

This program may be for you if………..

• Life’s schedule is a little zooey for you and your children but you can make it to the monthly    session each month.


• You, the adult, are committed to growing in your own faith.


• You, the parent, are committed to influencing the faith of your child.


• You are committed to finding the time each month – on your own family’s schedule – to do the Home Packet.

Schedule (including potluck)
(The second Sunday of the month except May because of Mother’s Day and Tulip Time)

September 13
October 11
November 8
December 13
January 10
February 14
March 14
April 11
May 16

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Preparation:

Child attends monthly sessions of the Family Program

Parents:
Attend monthly sessions of the Family Program
Attend First Reconciliation Parent Meeting on Wednesday, October 7, 6:30—8:00 p.m. at St. Francis Church

Parent and Child: 
Attend First Reconciliation Retreat, Saturday, October 24, 10:00 a.m.—noon
(at home) Lead your child through the 6 sessions of the We Believe & Celebrate First Reconciliation book which will be provided for you along with lesson plans.

Celebration:  Saturday, November 7, 10:00 a.m. in church.

All children and teens preparing for First Communion will also prepare to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) for the first time.

First Communion

Preparation:

Child:
Attend monthly sessions of the Family Program

Parent: 
Attend monthly sessions of the Family Program
Attend First Communion Parent Meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 6:30—8:00 p.m. at St. Francis Church.
Attend Covenant Program (see below  for details)

Parent and Child: 
Attend First Holy Communion Retreat, Saturday, April 17, 3:00—6:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room at St. Francis.
(at home) Lead your child through the 6 sessions of the We Believe & Celebrate First Communion book which will be provided for you along with lesson plans.

Celebration

First Holy Communions will be celebrated at all Masses on two weekends in the Spring of 2010.  You will receive detailed information during the January 13 parent meeting.

Sacrament of Confirmation  (for teens in grade 8 and older)

All details about the Confirmation Program will be provided at Confirmation Session #1 offered on Sunday, October 18 OR Tuesday, October 20.  Teens are required to attend this session with their parents.

Preparation:

Teens: 

• Attend  monthly sessions of the Family Program at Corpus Christi Center


• Attend 4 Confirmation sessions over 12 months.  Each session will be offered twice at St. Francis Church.  The first will be on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. and will be conducted bilingually.  The second option will be on the following Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and will be in English. 


• Attend 2 retreats over the 12-month preparation time:  1)   day-long retreat at Aquinas College on Saturday, February 20, 2010; 2) An overnight retreat in the Fall of 2010, close to the time of Confirmation.

Parents: 

• Attend monthly sessions of the Family Program at Corpus Christi Center


• Attend 3 of the 4 Confirmation sessions with their teen. At St. Francis


• Attend the Covenant Program, offered 4 times each year.  Parents choose one of the four times.  Click here for more information about the Covenant Program.

Sponsors: 

• Attend 2 of the 4 Confirmation sessions at St. Francis with their teen candidate.

Celebration:  The Celebration of Confirmation will be at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids during the Fall of 2010.  The specific date will be set by Bishop Walter Hurley, Bishop of Grand Rapids.