Holy Cross Parish Community

225 Purchase Street   South Easton,  MA  02375
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Generations of Living Faith

 A new approach to Faith Formation for all!!

(This will replace our now former CCD program)

·        Would you like to spend some time strengthening your own knowledge of the faith as an adult member of the Catholic Church?

·        So you wish you had more time to spend with your family learning about the Catholic faith?

·        Is your family burdened by hectic schedules and multiple activities?

·        Would you like to join Holy Cross for a meal and some quality time with other parishioners in a non-threatening and relaxed environment?

·        Could you use some support in helping to get you and your family to mass more often?

·        Would you like to feel more connected to your parish?

If you said Yes to any of the questions above, have we got a program for you!!!!!!

So what is G.O.L.F.?  (Generations of Living Faith)

I am sure that many are wondering what exactly is this Generations of Living Faith (GOLF) and where does it come from.  John Roberto and The Center for Ministry Development in Naugatuck, Connecticut developed this new and innovative approach to faith formation approximately ten years ago.  In 2001 the Center for Ministry Development received a multi-year grant from the Lilly Foundation to work with parishes across the country in implementing a lifelong, intergenerational, events-centered approach to faith formation.  More than 1000 parishes have implemented this approach across the United States to date. 

Generations of Living Faith (we will call it GOLF) is an innovative approach to parish wide faith formation.  In response to the bishops call that “adult faith formation must be the axis around which revolves the catechesis (education in the faith) of childhood and adolescence as well as that of old age.”

As Catholic children tend to learn more about their faith at home by default and example, it is imperative that parents are equipped to be models of the faith for their children.  Faith is one of those things that is more easily “caught than taught.”

How will this Work?

Families and single adults (parishioners of all ages) will come together six to seven times per year to participate in learning sessions based on a set, systematic curriculum. Each 2 ½ to 3 hour session will include:

1.      A prepared meal – parishioners will be able to enjoy a meal while relaxing and socializing with friends and family.

2.      Opening prayer and presentation of the theme for the session.  This may involve a speaker, video, dramatic presentation, or actual experience (ie: if the theme for the session is baptism we would celebrate a baptism)

3.      Age-specific learning would involve breaking into groups so that learning may take place in a developmentally appropriate way.  While separated for a short time into age-specific groups, adults and children will be learning about the same topic or theme.

4.      The whole group will re-gather for closing and sending forth with materials to take home – to help bring the faith alive in the home.

Absolutely Everyone!  Holy Cross will no longer provide the traditional CCD classes that have taken place over the past forty years.  In an effort to engage all of our parishioners in faith learning and formation, we are turning to this new way of thinking about faith formation that is not a school model, but an event-centered model designed to equip all parishioners with the experience and knowledge necessary to become true disciples of Christ.  Parents will accompany children so that the entire family participates in faith learning.  Parent of pre-schoolers, single, empty –nester and senior adults are also invited and encouraged to participate.

For those children who are in the second, ninth or tenth grade and are preparing for sacraments (First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation), separate preparation sessions will be held in addition to our GOLF sessions.  Our Confirmation program will remain the same as it has over the past three years.

We sincerely hope that all will take part in this incredible opportunity to learn and grow in the richness of the Catholic faith and regain that Catholic identity that has become so muddled in this current culture.

What will be the
Curriculum?

GOLF provides a six-year cycle of learning themes based on the events of Church life:

Church year and seasons

Sacraments

Creed

Morality

Justice

Prayer

Does this mean that we only participate for six years?No, it does not!  After six years we will not repeat the sessions, but focus on different aspects or events related to the topic.

This coming year we will focus on the Church year and liturgical seasons.  Each session will be designed to prepare each of us to celebrate the Church event.  We will begin in November with preparation for Advent.

The goal for this first session of GOLF is that with preparation for Advent, families will celebrate the season both through involvement in our liturgical celebrations and at home.

"Generations of Faith Newsletter" by John Roberto of the Center for Ministry development. John is the founder of the Center and a very good friend of Fr. Brad.

Registrations

In order to register, you must come into the office to learn about this new program, and complete a registration form.  Registrations will not be mailed.  Holy Cross will NO longer provide traditional CCD classes.  Faith formation will take place for the whole family and for all parishioners. 

Sacrament preparation will be held in addition to participation in GOLF.  Our Confirmation preparation program will remain the same as it has for the past three years.

Click here for the schedule and fees

Help Wanted

In addition to the many volunteer opportunities that will be forthcoming for our New Generations of Living Faith (GOLF) program, we are also seeking volunteers for the following programs this fall:

• Grade 2 Catechist for sacrament preparation – commitment will be four times during the year in addition to the GOLF program – all materials will be provided.
• Grade 9 & 10 group leaders - this is a wonderful opportunity to participate with the teens as they prepare for Confirmation.  There is no preparation required for each session, simply come and help lead table discussions following each presentation.  Pizza is served at each session for your added enjoyment.
• Childrens Liturgy of the Word – Each Sunday during the 8:30am Mass the children are escorted to the Church Hall to hear the Word of God at their own level.  This is a commitment of approximately six times per year for about 15-20 minutes.  Again, this is a wonderful opportunity to share the faith with our young children. This is probably one of the most rewarding programs that we offer.  Jesus is certainly visible in the faces of our young children.

Philosophy:

Generations of Living Faith is a life-long faith formation program. Catechesis at Holy Cross is designed to give all parishioners an in depth understanding of “what it means to be Catholic” and to incorporate faith into everyday life experiences. All adults, especially parents, are the primary educators of your children and we look forward to this journey in faith together. 

Sacraments:

The Sacraments of First Communion and Reconciliation are celebrated in Grade 2. This is a very important year for both students and parents. Reconciliation will be celebrated in January and First Communion in the Spring.  Learning will take place through our family GOLF sessions and through separate workshops focused on each sacrament.

Confirmation Preparation. Any High School student wishing to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation must participate in the Holy Cross Youth Ministry program for at least two years. Faith formation sessions for Confirmation are held on Sunday evenings beginning with the 5:30 p.m. Youth Mass and continuing in the Parish Center Great Room until 8:00pm. Each session begins with social time and pizza. The students then break up into designated groups, topics are presented and group discussion ensues. In addition to the Faith formation sessions each Confirmation Candidate is required to participate in Youth Ministry activities, community service opportunities and retreats. Our goal is to give each candidate opportunities to experience what it means to be an active participant in the life of the Church and to live life modeled in Christ.  Students will also be expected to participate with parents in of GOLF sessions.

Volunteers:

This New GOLF will need a multitude of volunteers.   We will need teams of catechists (for age-specific learning), helpers to set-up, clean-up, etc. and volunteers to prepare materials for each session.  All Catholics can be educators in faith, please consider sharing your faith with our children in any capacity. See the back of the registration form for volunteer opportunities or call the office.
 

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Each Sunday, during the 8:30 a.m. Mass, all children ages 4 through 4th grade, are invited to join our Liturgy of the Word program.  Children are escorted to the Church Hall just after the opening prayers of Mass and receive the Word of God at their own level.  The children listen to the Sunday readings and are involved in an interactive homily and activities.  The children are then escorted back to Mass during the Offertory. 

Our Liturgy of the Word Team is a dynamic group who engage the children in discussion of the readings, so that they gain a deep understanding of scripture at this very young age.  All are welcome!

Revised: 06/28/10
 

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