Sunday School: Grades K4-5th Grade
Child Ministry Staff
Joyce Swietlik, Director of Religious Education - jsweitlik@stme.church
Jeanette Lambrecht, Associate Director of Child & Family Ministry - jlambrecht@stme.church
Juliette Anderson, Administrative Assistant - janderson@stme.church
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Who: students in K4 – 5th grade - Students attend classes taught by volunteer catechists.
When: 9:00-10:00am Sundays - Classes usually meet three out of four Sundays a month.
Where: St. Monica School, 5635 N. Santa Monica Boulevard, Whitefish Bay
Important Dates: September 17-First Class - April 21-Last Class
CURRICULUM
Our Child Ministry Program uses materials from Loyola Press (www.loyolapress.com).
K4: God Made the World
K5-1st grade: Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts
2nd grade / Sacraments: God’s Gift: Reconciliation and God’s Gift: Eucharist. Students also use the Blessed series of videos with workbooks (www.dynamiccatholic.com) at home.
3rd-5th grade: Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts
In class, students will study a chapter from the workbook which we send home. The final page of each lesson has a review, suggestions on activities to live what they learn and a closing prayer. We ask parents to review this at home and then students should complete and submit an online review after each lesson.
MASS ATTENDANCE
Regular Sunday Mass attendance is an essential part of being Catholic and thus is expected of our Child Ministry families. Parish Mass Times are:
St Eugene: Sat 4:30 pm; Sun 8:30 & 11:00 am
St Monica: Sat 5:00 pm; Sun 8:00 & 10:15 am
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We ask all parents to prayerfully consider becoming part of our Child Ministry team. We can’t do this without you! Opportunities are below or let us know if you have other ideas.
Catechists
Materials, orientation and training are provided. The materials are very user-friendly - you don’t need to know everything! We encourage you to talk to your friends and to parents of your children's friends. Consider team-teaching. You can take turns leading the lesson and assisting. Being a catechist is a great way to refresh your faith, form new relationships at church, be a role model for your child and serve God.
**We are pleased to offer a full tuition waiver (just pay sacrament and retreat fees) for ALL children (K4-Confirmation) of a catechist who commits to teach weekly!
In addition to Full-time Catechists, we need . . .
Substitute Catechists (teach when you are available)
Aides in all classrooms. (weekly and substitute)
Hall Monitors arrive at 8:30 to assist with set up of classes. Patrol halls during class. Assist with clean-up after class. Leave at 10:15. Sign up for the days that fit your availability.
Lesson preparation and clerical help in the office during the week.
Assistance with occasional crafts or service projects.
Sunday School Assistant NEW this year! Annette O'Brien was our wonderful Sunday School Coordinator the last few years. Annette is expecting her first grandchild soon and has decided to retire. She will be missed and we wish her the best! We are looking for a core group of people who can assist me on Sunday mornings with managing the miscellaneous things that come up. Some of these things might be: Making photocopies. Subbing for a catechist or aide. Gathering materials for and assisting with a craft. Helping in a classroom with an enthusiastic group of kids. Escorting a class to the church and back. Replenishing classroom supplies. This person would work side-by-side with me and we would divide and conquer the tasks as they arise! We will be developing a new volunteer position together - it will be fun! Sign up for the days that fit your availability.
Middle and High School students may volunteer for service hours
**All adult volunteers are required to attend a Safe Environment Education Session, pass a Criminal Background Check and sign the Code of Ethical Standards.
Contact Jeanette at jlambrecht@stme.church to volunteer or for more information.
SAFEGUARDING ALL GOD'S FAMILY
St. Eugene and St. Monica Parishes are committed to providing a safe environment for all. In compliance with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, all volunteers over the age of 18 MUST attend a (free, one-time) Safe Environment Education Session, pass a criminal background check and read and sign the Code of Ethical Standards for Church Leaders. In addition, it is our goal to have ALL parents attend this class to increase awareness and safety. This would also qualify parents to chaperone field trips, work on service projects or assist in classrooms. To register for a class, please go to www.archmil.org/offices/safeguarding.htm.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR CHILD AND YOUTH MINISTRY CLASSES
Child and Youth Ministry Registration will once again be completed online through ParishSoft (click to begin) our parish database. While registering for classes, please take the time to review your information and update any emails, phone numbers or anything else that may have changed.
PARISH REGISTRATION – If you are new to St. Eugene and St. Monica – welcome! Please begin the parish registration process by filling out the online form (links below). We will contact you to complete parish registration so you can then register for classes.
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
FOR FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST
Sacraments Class is for 2nd graders and 3rd graders who have not yet received these sacraments. If you have a child older than 3rd grade who has not received Reconciliation and Eucharist, we welcome you! Please contact Jeanette Lambrecht to develop a preparation plan.
Requirements:
1. Regular Mass attendance.
2. Children should have one year of catechesis, as a foundation, prior to enrolling in the Sacraments Class. Typically that would be attending 1st grade in either a Catholic School or Sunday School program. If your 2nd grader does not have this, you may register them for 1st grade Sunday School this year and then they will enroll in the Sacraments Class in 3rd grade.
3. Children must attend one of these options this year:
Child Ministry Sacraments Class (Sunday morning at St. Monica)
St Eugene School or St Monica School
4. Record of Baptism given to the Child Ministry office:
If baptized at St. Eugene or St. Monica Church, email the date and location to childministry@stme.church.
If baptized at another parish, send us a copy of the Baptismal certificate. (Let us know if you need assistance obtaining a copy.)
If your child attends St. Eugene or St. Monica School, we will get a copy from the school records.
If your child has not been baptized, contact Jeanette Lambrecht as soon as possible.
5. Membership at St. Eugene or St. Monica Parish (if not parish members, contact Jeanette Lambrecht).
Important Dates: Parents may choose the First Reconciliation Service and First Eucharist Mass that is best for their family.
First Reconciliation will be Thursday, January 25 at 6:00pm at St. Monica and Saturday, January 27 at 10:00am at St. Eugene.
First Eucharist will be celebrated Sunday, April 28 at 1:00pm at St. Monica and Sunday, May 5 at 1:30pm at St. Eugene.