Faith Formation
Parish School of Religion (PSR)
St. John Parish provides religious education for children of preschool age through the eighth grade. There are several options with the School of Religion. All programs are staffed by volunteers-parents, high school students and other adults who teach, assist teachers, help with musical accompaniment and singing, assist with office duties and provide child care for the teachers.
Early Childhood
St. John offers Early Childhood Religious Education for preschool age and kindergarten children. Our program takes place on Sundays from September through April. The program is designed to promote a child's self-esteem while learning about God's gifts of creation. Our preschool programs present only the most basic ideas of our faith in the simplest possible language. Eligibility for the program is determined by the child's birthdate and enrollment in kindergarten. Children must pre-register with the program coordinator before September. There is a minimal fee to cover the cost of books and supplies.
Evening Sessions for Grades 1-8
Religious Education classes are offered weekly from September through April for children in grades 1-8. The children are grouped by grade level.
The curriculum used for grades 1-6 is the Faith First, published by Resources for Christian Living. Faith First is built on these three strands:
• Doctrine, built on the four pillars of faith found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is presented age-appropriately and developmentally each year. These beliefs have been passed down to us through the generations.
• Scripture is taught in a separate strand and is interwoven throughout the curriculum-the story that has been passed down from generation to generation. This is the story contained in the Bible and is taught along with the stories of saints and people of faith who have shown us how to live as Christians.
• The Liturgical Year is taught to its fullest. The celebration of a people is lived out in our liturgical year. We relive the story of our salvation as we pass through the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time.
The Loreto Model:
A Year-Round Program of Religious Formation
Under this model, for Grades 1-8, students meet for two weeks in the Summer. The children are grouped in multi-grade levels: 1-3, 4-6 and 7-8. There are also 3-4 seasonal sessions throughout the school year. Activities include group prayer experiences, class, music, games, snacks and an occasional field trip. Registration takes place in February.
The curriculum is a repeated three year cycle of themes which goes more in-depth as the grade level changes.
Year I-The Creed
Year II-The Church
Year III-Scripture
Information packets describing the program in more detail are available from the Religious Education Office.
Home Study Religious Education
For various reasons, parents choose to provide the religious formation for their children at home rather than participating in the programs (grades 1-8) here at church. The Faith First series or the Loreto Model Program is offered for parents to use in teaching their children at home during the year. The coordinator keeps in contact with parents to provide support. The parish supplies materials.
Vacation Bible Camp
An exciting bible-based camp for 4 yr. olds through 4th graders, this week focuses on making religion fun. Activities include stories, games, crafts, music and prayer. Students age eleven and older, as well as adults, are needed as volunteers for this popular summer program!
St. Gabriel Consolidated School
Originally, St. John parish was part of St. Gabriel parish. Today, Catholic Elementary Education sustains the bond between our parishes. St. John parishioners have the opportunity to provide Catholic Elementary Education for their children at St. Gabriel Consolidated School in Glendale. The school, which was founded in 1867, is located on ten acres at 48 W. Sharon Rd. (corner of Sharon Rd. and SR 747 or Princeton-Glendale Rd.)
Five parishes have benefitted by utilizing St. Gabriel Consolidated School as their Catholic Elementary School. They are: St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Matthias, St. Martin de Porres, St. John and St. Gabriel. In 1993 these five parishes reached a consolidation agreement which officially made St. Gabriel Elementary School our parish school.
The school day begins with prayer. Religion is taught daily. The priests from all the participating parishes share in celebrating the weekly Eucharist with the students.
The school includes grades K through 8. Beside having a curriculum which is archdiocesan and state approved, there are many specialfeatures to St. Gabriel Consolidated's program. These include: full day kindergarten, weekly classes in the computer lab, enrichment classes for grades 2-8, field trips and a hot lunch program. In addition to an indoor recreation area, the outdoor facilities include a soccer field, ball diamond and a well-equipped playground. Extracurricular activities include band, youth choir, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, an annual junior high play, and Millcreek and CYO basketball, volleyball, and softball for girls and boys. For students with special learning needs, the school provides a reading specialist, school psychologist and a speech and hearing pathologist. There is a latch key program. This after school care program operates until 6:00 PM.
St. Gabriel Consolidated School is a quality Catholic elementary school. It is staffed by caring and qualified personnel and backed by loving and dedicated parents and parishes. For additional information, contact the school at 771-5220.
YOUTH MINISTRY
Junior High Youth Activities
Junior High Youth activities are open to all 7th and 8th graders of the parish. We meet several times a year for fun social activities, and we also help with some service projects. Several adult volunteers are needed to help plan and organize the activities and service projects. Additional adult supervision is always welcome. For more information call the Office of Youth Ministry.
High School Youth Activities
We provide the opportunity for high school youth to participate in many activities throughout the year. There are also chances to grow spiritually through youth masses, retreats, sponsoring RCIA Children and other teens, and the religious formation meetings. All the activities give high school students the chance to meet people and share good times, all in a Christian atmosphere. Drivers and chaperones as well as other volunteers are needed to help plan and coordinate activities.
Confirmation
High School students who desire to be confirmed begin the discernment and preparation process by attending an information meeting with their parents in the Fall. Then they attend a retreat for those candidates who wish to continue in the process. After the retreat, candidates form small faith groups and meet several times over the next few months with adult catechists and mentors to share and grow as they discern together. During the process there are also opportunities to become involved in parish life and community service, as well as activities that help to foster the relationship between the candidates and their sponsors.
High School Religious Formation
Our religious formation meetings for high school students, known as REALITY, meet once a week on Sunday evenings during the school year. These meetings encourage community, and focus on biblical lessons and faith building themes. REALITY provides an opportunity for teenagers to meet people and have fun while exploring their faith.
High School Youth Retreats
Twice a year, we offer weekend retreats for high school youth. Teams consisting of teens and adults meet to plan and lead the retreats. There is also a special three-day retreat for Seniors, called Kairos, which is held in late Winter.
Peer Ministry
We have many opportunities for high school youth to act as peer leaders, working on a number of teams that help organize and run the different youth ministry events and processes. These teams include service, REALITY, retreats and socials.
Adult Spiritual Enrichment
The Challenge of Change: Being Christian in the 21st Century is a series of varied programs covering topics which impact the lives of contemporary Christians. These are scheduled throughout the year and time, topics and speakers are advertised through the Sunday bulletin and On Eagle's Wings, the parish newsletter.
Lenten Series
Each year St. John joins with neighboring churches for a special ecumenical Lenten Series. Representatives of the various churches meet to plan the series which generally includes guest speakers, prayer services and soup suppers, planned around an overall theme.
Scripture Sharing
Let the Word of God enlighten your life as you join with others to become more acquainted with Scripture. This study involves personal daily study and reflection as well as weekly gathering with others to share reflections and listen to a lecture. There is a Fall and Spring Scripture Sharing. You can be a participant, a small group facilitator, or coordinator of the program.
Christ Renews His Parish
Christ Renews His Parish provides an opportunity to meet and interact with fellow parishioners for a weekend of spiritual renewal in a relaxed, unpressured setting. CRHP is a renewal process which allows each person to come to a deeper awareness of God's presence in his/her own life as well as providing interaction with a group of fellow parishioners. This has provided an awakening of faith, an opportunity for healing, an opening to return to the Church, a rediscovery of family and spousal relationships, a rebirth or just a time of needed solitude in a world that seems to be measured in appointments, commitments and rides. For more information contact the parish office.
Prayer Groups
We have three on-going prayer groups who welcome new members:
• Morning Prayer Group meets regularly on Friday morning to sing, pray and reflect on God's Word.
• The Charismatic Prayer Group meets on Wednesday evening in the Reconciliation Room.
• Men's Prayer Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Sunday evening in the Weekday Chapel. The program consists of prayer, reflection on Scripture for the upcoming Sunday and sharing on events of one's life.
Prayer Chain
Pray from the comfort of your home for the needs of individual parishioners and friends. You will be notified by phone for whom to pray, and you then pass the information you receive along to another prayer chain member. There is also a "Prayer Chain" page on the youthweb where we post prayer requests.
Small Faith Communities
Small Faith Communities, or mini churches, are bringing new life to our parish. People diversified in age, race and sex are coming together to reflect on the Gospel message in an environment of acceptance, support and love. Through prayer, scripture and each other, small faith communities seek ways to live our faith more fully in our families, the St. John community and beyond. Small Faith Communities may meet on a seasonal or on-going basis. Group members choose meeting schedules, days and times.