General Information
St. Jude Commission for Faith Formation Ministry
On this page... Most ministries include calendars & registration forms
- Our Faith Formation Mission
- Cherub Church0
- Religious Education - Elementary
- Adult Formation Opportunites
- Welcoming Catholics Back Home
- Ministry of Mothers Sharing
- Family Days - Family-Centered Religious Education
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Kamp
- Adults Seeking to Become Catholic
- Adults Seeking Confirmation
- Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
- Embracing Christ and His Parish: Eucharist
- Vacation Bible School
Mission and Commission Information
By teaching Catholic beliefs, traditions and values the Faith Formation Commission of St. Jude seeks to invite and empower those members of our parish and surrounding community to strengthen their relationship with God and enhance the spiritual life of our parish.
Commission Members for 2011-2012
Bob Degitz (2006), Barb Fahringer (2010), Kelly Keenan (2008), Dennis Mack (2010), Erin Mathies (2011), Sally McCarthy (2010) Noreen Poorman (2011), Tracy Smith (2008), John Stewart (2005), Casey Strange (2009), Ryan Thomas (2009), and Melinda Wiley (2010) Ex-officio, Non-voting Members: Annette Calloway (Director of Religious Education), and Tammy Stewart (Administrator of Religious Education)
Programs....
Adult Formation
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
St. Jude Parish is committed to offering a variety of quality adult formation programs. The selection of programs is always changing so please check out our adult formation web-page using the link below for more information. Some of things to look for 2010-2011 program year; the Great Adventure Bible Program, Financial Peace University, Indiana Master Naturalist Program, a Morning of Funeral and Estate Planning, a Marriage Encounter Weekend and a Parish Mission.
Adult Formation schedule at St. Jude & other formation in the area
On the adult formation page...
- Great Adventure Bible Study Series
- First Friday Coffee Club
- Morning of Reflection
- Couples Enrichment
Other Adult Spirituality Available in the Parish ...
Welcoming Catholics Back Home
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
Have you been away from the Church for a while? Have you been hurt or angered by the Church? Maybe you have just drifted away? Have you ever thought about returning? If so, we would like to welcome you back to St. Jude Parish. We have a special ministry for people just like you who have been away from the Church. This group meets on 5-6 Wednesday, beginning after Easter, watch this space for more information. We would like to address your questions and make you feel at home once more in the Catholic Church. .
2012 Program start date will be April 7pm. Just come to the church, people will be present to greet you.
Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS)
Contact: Andrea Morelli
Email: ammorelli@msn.com
This ministry welcomes you to a Personal Journey for Mothers. The eight journey sessions, which meet once a week, create in women an awareness of the inner sacred self and teaches them new ways to inspire, encourage and affirm each other. There are also opportunities to participate in the Ministry's Core Team, which plans the personal journey, other enrichment opportunities and social events for the coming year. Members include: working moms, stay-at-home moms, grandmoms and empty nesters. MOMS is a ministry of St. Jude Women's Club.
Cherub Church (Preschool Religious Education)
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
Cherub Church is a place where the little ones of our parish are cherished and discover God’s love through Bible stories, art, games, prayer and music. Cherub Church is offered to children ages 3 to 6, from September 11 to May 6l. Parents wishing to involve their youngsters, bring them to the school music room during the 10:30 am Mass. This program is a beautiful way for children to develop a sense of community and belonging to the parish of St. Jude.
Religious Education
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
Let your community of faith help you as parents grow your children’s love for God and understanding of our Catholic Faith through the St. Jude Religious Education Program. This program takes place on Sunday mornings from 9:45-11:45 am in the school beginning on September 18, 2011. Our sessions are split into two “semesters”, Fall Semester: September-November (ending before Thanksgiving with a Christ Our King Feast Day celebration) and Winter Semester: January-March (ending before Spring Break). This schedule frees up more Sundays for family time and allows for flexibility in which Mass families attend (8:30 or noon).
Anyone wishing to participate in this ministry as a catechist, or substitute catechist, should contact Tammy. Training for Catechist's is provided and includes RCL curriculum Echoes of Faith.
2011-2012 Religious Ed Calendar
Family Days
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
What are Family Days? Several Times a year the Faith Formation team will offer a program created to allow families to learn more about their faith through interactive/fun event. These programs are offered on Saturdays after the 5 pm Mass and the themes are usually chosen to match the liturgical season. Watch you bulletin for the next family days offering.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371 x232
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
During the readings and homily at the 8:30 am, 10:30 am, and noon Masses, the week's Bible readings are translated into an easy-to-understand child's version along with some suggested questions and activities provided in instructional material to help relate the Bible readings to a child's life. All children who are 4 years of age through 3rd grade are invited to go with the Catechist and participate. Parents are encouraged to have their children attend. Adult volunteers are needed to teach prepared lessons at these Masses on a rotating basis.
Kamp
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
Kids And Moms at Play is a group of moms and kids that get together twice a month for fun and fellowship. The gathering is hosted in each other's homes during colder months and at area parks and playgrounds when weather permits. Meetings are held the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Adults Seeking to Become Catholic (RCIA)
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
Have you considered joining the Catholic Church, but did not know what it would involve?
The formal faith journey that leads to full communion into the Catholic Church is called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults or RCIA. The RCIA is a process of conversion. It is designed to be a journey of faith, to help one discern whether entering the Catholic Church is what is best for them. This is done through regular meetings with other inquirers to learn, pray and begin to see what life in this community is all about. In addition to these weekly meetings there are rites that take place to punctuate the stages of the person's faith walk. At St. Jude the group usually gets started in September and meets regularly on Sunday Morning.
Introduction/information meeting for those interested in the Rite of Christian Initiation will take place Tuesday September 6, 2011 at 7pm in the church or Sunday, September 11 at 9:45am in the Parish Center. No registration necessary, all interested parties welcome.
Fuller Description of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Adults Seeking Confirmation
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
For people who were baptized as infants, Confirmation is the final sacrament of initiation. Once one has completed the reception of Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation they are considered to be in full communion with the Catholic Church. It is a rite of passage and a recognition of a certain level of maturity in one’s faith life.
Sadly today, many adults have not received the sacrament of Confirmation. The reasons vary widely as to why they did not get confirmed before the end of high school, but now the busyness of adult life continues to impede them from completing the preparation necessary for reception of this sacrament. Until recently our parish has offered attendance in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) sessions as the only avenue for preparation for this sacrament. For an individual whose faith life has been sparse or for people who are coming from another Christian tradition this process might be the very best way for them to renew the spirit within and prepare for active participation in the Catholic Church. For others the RCIA may not be fruitful, they need something that reaches them in their already active faith life.
Dates have not yet been set for the Spring 2012 sessions. Watch the bulletin for more information.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371 x232
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children, RCIC, is a process of conversion for children of catechetical age (3rd grade) whose parents wish them to be initiated into the Catholic Church. This process involves regular meetings lead by a designated catechist and usually with other children to learn about the teachings of the Church. These sessions are designed and scheduled based on the needs of families each year and usually culminate with entry into the Church at the Easter Vigil service. Parents must be registered members of the parish or participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This program is also appropriate for older children who were baptized as infants, but who have not continued in their formation and made reconciliation or their first communion. Contact Tammy Stewart for more information.
Embracing Christ and His Parish: Eucharist
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
Preparation for First Communion preceded by Reconciliation begins in September of the second grade year for baptized children registered in our parish. Regular attendance in a formal religious education program such as the Sunday Morning Religious Education Classes, St. Jude School or verified homeschooling program is required for children who wish to participate in "Embracing Christ and His Parish." This means that if you have a child wishing to prepare for Reconciliation and First Communion in second grade, they must be participating in some formal program for both their first and second grade years.
Vacation Bible School
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
VBS 2012 - Babylon
VBS 2012 is going to ancient Babylon. Watch the bulletin for more information beginning in February, 2012.