CHRISTIAN FORMATION COMMISSION
| CONTACT: | Director of Christian Formation ·777-8150 |
| IMPORTANCE: | Life-long religious formation is the foundation of faith development. Members of the Education Commission help to develop educational programs that will meet the total education and faith formation needs of the parish. This commission deals with pre-school, elementary and Jr. High, adolescent, adult, and family life formation. |
| WHAT: | Christian Formation Commission members work with the Christian Formation staff to identify Christian Formation needs in the parish and assist in the development of programs that will meet those needs. In keeping with parish goals, commission members establish and evaluate yearly objectives and oversee committees which work to implement those objectives. |
| TIME: | Members of the Christian Education commission are expected to attend commission meetings on the first Thursday of each month. Meetings last approximately 2 hours. Occasionally, there may be a need for additional meetings or subcommittee work to deal with special projects. |
| SKILLS: | Interest in on-going faith formation. Some knowledge of the catechetical needs of Sacred Heart parish. Willingness to learn about the programs and various approaches to lifelong catechesis. Some background and experience in catechesis and education would be helpful, but is not required. |
| TRAINING: | Formation for commission members will be a regular part of the monthly Commission meetings. |
GOOD NEWS GANG
| CONTACT: | Director of Christian Formation · 777-8150 |
| IMPORTANCE: | This group provides the younger members of the community with an opportunity to experience the Liturgy of the Word at their own level and in language they will understand. |
| WHAT: | To prepare the complete Liturgy of the Word for 4 — 7 year-olds. |
| TIME: | Monthly meetings lasting 1 1/2 hours. Usually teach once each month. |
| SKILLS: | Basic knowledge of Scripture and Liturgy, a love for children and the ability to relate to them at their level. |
| TRAINING: | Group discussions at meetings; workshops, resource materials. |
CATECHISTS
| CONTACT: | Director of Christian Formation · 777-8150 |
| IMPORTANCE: | Kindergarten, Elementary, Jr.High, and High school students need the leadership of christian adults who will guide them as they grow in their understanding of themselves, of God, His love shown through Jesus Christ, His Church and its mission. |
| WHAT: | This ministry entails adults attending a planning meeting about every five weeks, teaching classes of about 15 children from mid-September through mid-May and participation in catechist formation classes. |
| TIME: | The regular planning meetings are about an hour. Classes are an hour and 30 minutes. There is about an hour preparation for each class. The commitment is nine months, September through early May. The classes for Kindergarten through grade 6 meet on Monday or Tuesday evenings from 5:30 -7:00pm; Junior High and High School classes meet Monday evenings from 5:30-7:00pm. |
| SKILLS: | A catechist is a fully initiated, practicing adult Catholic Christian. Some additional needed qualities are leadership and storytelling skills, the ability to be a good listener, sense of humor, and a love for children. |
| TRAINING: | The Archdiocese requires 20 foundational topics for certification. all catechists are expected to be working toward this certification. The SERF Vicariate offers Catechist formation twice a year in September and February. The parish will also offer training. Lesson planning is directed by the Christian Formation Staff. |
KINDERGARTEN - HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM AIDES
| CONTACT: | Director of Christian Formation · 777-8150 |
| IMPORTANCE: | Catechists are able to fulfill their responsibilities more easily when supported by an assistant. |
| WHAT: | Usually the aides will take attendance, organize materials to take home, and assist the children in preparing for the beginning of the class, or supervise a period of fellowship among the youth. Duties will depend on the needs and direction of the catechist. |
| SKILLS: | Adults, with an ability and willingness to work with young children and teens, as well as, a willingness to take directions from the catechist in charge. |
| TRAINING: | According to need and at the discretion of the Director or Coordinator of Christian Formation and the catechist. |
LITTLE ROCK SCRIPTURE STUDY
| CONTACT: | Director of Christian Formation · 777-8150 |
| IMPORTANCE: | Little Rock Scripture Study is designed to bring people to a greater understanding of the Bible, an awareness of God's living presence in Sacred Scripture and how the Bible can be applied to daily life. |
| WHAT: | The study involves four essential elements: personal study daily, weekly small group sharing, lecture, prayer. |
| TIME: | Weekly small group sharing lasts two hours. Twenty minutes of personal study is required daily. |
| SKILLS: | A love of Scripture, an openness to how God works in everyday life, the ability to listen. |
| TRAINING: | No training is necessary for the study. Small Group Leaders will require approximately eight weeks training. |