It's so hard to believe that August is already here!  We hope this summer (despite a lot of rain!) has given you time to relax and breathe a bit. It's time for planning and registering for our 2021-2022 Faith Formation Year! There is a lot of information here so PLEASE make it a point to read thoroughly! Please pass on to anyone who has a student entering grades 1 thru 11 who maybe interested in attending Faith Formation classes this year.

 

It is our hope to be in person this year and we'd like to lay out our plans for what the year will look like.  If your child has been enrolled in our program for any length of time you have likely heard us say  that "the family is the primary teacher of the faith."  We feel very strongly about that truth and our program is designed to help you take on that role in a life-giving way.  We are here to support and to enhance your family's faith practices so that God and life are ONE!

That being said, here is how our program will work:

Grades 1-8 will meet 3 times a year for 90 minute classes on Thursday nights from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Community Center on Somers Road.  Parents are welcome (and encouraged) to accompany their child for the whole evening.  For the last 15 minutes of our time together we will be asking parents to join us for a wrap-up/review and prayerful closing.  During that time, your family will be sent home with activities that relate to the lesson.  These practices will be done in the weeks between class and the students can report on their activities when they are back together as a grade!  We are also planning monthly "Family Events" for you to attend (such as Family Rosary Night in October, Night In Bethlehem in January, etc).  Our hope is that between classes, events, and at home family activities, we can support your family to develop practices that "bring faith to life and life to faith!"

 

Grades 9 & 10 will also meet 3 times a year, but on Saturday mornings from 10-11:30 at the Community Center as well.  We'd also encourage parents of these grades to join us for the closing 15 minutes of these classes.  In Grade 9 we dive into the Bible and it would be fantastic if parents heard what we cover to ensure some great conversations later!  Our goal in Grade 9 is to have this ancient text be approachable and a tool for our students.  In Grade 10 we explore "prayer as a relationship" with God.  This year builds towards their Confirmation year with the hope of giving our students the traditional, and not-so traditional practices, that can enhance what it means to be in relationship with God through prayer. 

 

Grade 11 is preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Classes take place on Sunday evenings at the Church and meets more often in order to prepare the students for the sacrament. Times and duration vary but most classes meet at 6:3 p.m. This year has parent and sponsor events staggered throughout. Please see the Calendar for specifics. 

 

Registration for all classes is NOW OPEN on our website: stmichaelsel.org under Programs/Religious Education.  The cost is $40.00 per student and can be paid online at the time of registration. All Calendars are also available on the same page.

 

We encourage you to call (413-525-0371) or email   with any questions, concerns, or if you think you might want to get involved teaching! Please know that with the new Delta variant, these plans MAY have to be changed, but we will keep you informed as soon as we get any information that would necessitate any changes.

 

Our first Family Event  is a "Blessing of the Backpacks" Mass on Sunday, August 29th at 4:30 p.m.  All students are asked to bring their backpacks to be blessed.  What a great way to get the new school year off to a great start!

 

We look forward to sharing our faith with you and having you share your faith with us!

Peace and grace,

Rose and Sue