St. Mary Parish recently issued the following announcement.

Picnic Launch Party 

Sunday, September 20 following 10:00 AM Mass The whole family is invited to enjoy a picnic luncheon (please bring your own picnic and chairs/blankets for seating) and a friendly competition among families with “Minute to Win It” style challenges. RSVP appreciated. Please see the sign-up sheet in narthex of email Amanda, agrigar@nativityparish.net The new school year is upon us! With this, comes the start of our Children's Liturgy of the Word, Faith Formation, and Youth Ministry programs. Things will look a little different this year, with current safety directives being followed for all in-person sessions. Children’s Liturgy of the Word has a new Facebook Group for parish families with weekly updates to assist parents in helping their children grow in their faith and understanding of the Mass. https://www.facebook.com/groups/4518026311542615/ 

Faith Formation will be a family-based format that meets twice per month with a parent or other close adult attending with the children. The first meeting will be more traditional: helping you help your children learn about their faith. The second meeting will be a more active expression of the faith - social, service, or prayer activities. During the weeks that we do not meet, according to your schedule, there are an assortment of activities that you can complete to continue to learn and grow in the faith - some are conversations, some are crafts, some are worksheets, etc. You know how you and your family learn best, so there is something for everyone. A Home Study Faith Formation option is available as well. Online resources and supports will be available for both Faith Formation options; a family is able to switch Faith Formation format if desired during the course of the year. 

Youth Ministry will be meeting in-person, with online supports in place and the ability to go virtual if the need arises. We are using Life Teen's Purpose curriculum, which should help our youth dive deeper into their faith and address some of the questions surrounding how to live an authentically Catholic life as a young person. Parents will also have access to an app with special resources to help continue the conversations at home that are started in the Youth Ministry sessions. 

Registration for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry is available online at: https://is.gd/wOLevv As in past years, there is a registration fee that helps cover materials, however, no family will be denied participation due to financial hardship. 

Please contact Amanda Grigar, agrigar@nativityparish.net regarding scholarship options.

Original source can be found here.