General Information
St. Jude Commission for Faith Formation Ministry
On this page... Most ministries include calendars & registration forms
- Our Faith Formation Mission
- Adult Formation Opportunites
- Career Support Group
- Welcoming Catholics Back Home
- Cherub Church07 Program Information Available)
- Religious Education - Elementary
- 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)
- Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion
- Vacation Bible School - 2009 Ready to Rome?
- Young Adult (20's) Gatherings
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.
Three Year Goals (2007-2010)
- To renew the Traditional Elementary Religious Education program to foster community and invigorate the children's faith formation which will lead to better weekly attendance.
- To foster and grow the Family Centered Religious Education program in our parish.
- New in 2008: To initiate a Confirmation program for adult Catholics separate from the RCIA. This program would be geared towards people who have had a fair amount of catechesis in their childhood, but missed RCIA for some reason. There might still be people better served by RCIA.
Commission Members for 2008-2009
Rachel Dees, Bob Degitz, Kelly Keenan, Tracy Smith, Ron Sondgerath, John Stewart, Joe Curl, Ryan Thomas, and Casey Strange
Ex-officio, Non-voting Members
Annette Calloway (Director of Religious Education), Tammy Stewart (Level Coordinator, Children’s Ministries) and Nic Kovatch(Religious Education Apprentice)
Programs....
Adult Formation Committee
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
This adult group plans and coordinates programs for the continuing development of adult faith formation. These programs are presented at various times throughout the year. New members are always welcome on the committee, just contact Annette at parish center.
The selection of programs is always changing so please check out our web-page for more information on any of the programs listed below.
Career Support Group
Contact: Beth Haggenjos
Email: bethhaggenjos@att.net
This is a support group to those seeking employment. Members provide hope and encouragement to each other as they interact and learn together. This group is not currently active. Group facilitated by a St. Jude parishioner with 5+ years of career coaching experience. All are welcome.
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 Thursdays, 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. .
Cherub Church (Preschool Religious Education)
Contact: Nic Kovatch
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: nkovatch@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, music and snacks. Cherub Church is offered to children ages 3 to 6, from Sept. to April. Parents wishing to involve their youngsters, bring them to the gym before the 8:30 and 10:30 am Masses. Our program is a beautiful way for children to develop a sense of community and belonging to the parish of St. Jude.
Religious Education Sixteen Sundays
Contact: Tammy Stewart or Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org or acalloway@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 13th, 2009. Our sessions are split into two-8 week “semesters”, Fall Semester: September-November (ending before Thanksgiving) and Winter Semester: January-March (ending before Spring Break). This schedule will free up more Sundays for family time, allow for flexibility in which Mass families attend (8:30 or noon), and allot more class time to build themes and enjoy special activities.
Anyone wishing to participate in this ministry as a catechist, or substitute catechist, should call the Faith Formation Office. Training for Catechist's is provided using RCL curriculum Echoes of Faith.
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/funevent. These programs are offered on Saturdays the 5 pm Mass and the themes are usually chosen to match the liturgical season. Watch you bulleting for the next family days offering.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
During the readings and homily at the 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 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. Meetings begin with prayer followed by a short discussion/reflection on a Catholic faith topic. We meet in each other's homes during colder months and at area parks and playgrounds when weather permits. We meet 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 August or September and meets regularly on Wednesday nights.
Introduction/information meeting for those interested in the Rite of Christian Initiation will take place August 19, 2009 at 7pm in the church. 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 2010 sessions. Watch the bulletin for more information.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
The RCIC is a process of conversion for children of catechetical age whose parents wish to be initiated into the Catholic Church. This is done through regular meetings with other children to learn about the teachings of the Church. These sessions take place during the school season on Tuesday 6:30-7:45 and culminate with entry into the Church at the Easter Vigil service.
Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and First Communion
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
Sacramental Preparation Policy: Regular attendance in the formal Parish religious education program such as the Tuesday Night RE Classes, or St. Jude School is required for children who wish to participate in the sacramental preparation program of our parish for Reconciliation and First Communion. 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.
2nd Grade Sac Prep Calendar 2009-2010
Vacation Bible School
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
VBS 2009 - Ready to Rome?
VBS 2009 is going to Ancient Rome to learn about Paul and the early underground church. Families, join us for family night on July 12th 6:30pm-8:30pm. The traditional day time session will be Monday, July 13-Thursday, July 16th and is for ages 4 yrs to 5th grade. Adult and teen volunteers are needed to serve as group and station leaders for both sessions. Please plan to join us and step back in time for an exciting adventure of music, crafts, games, bible stories and authentic food. There’s no place like Rome.
Young Adult Gatherings
Contact: Nic Kovatch
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: nkovatch@stjudeindy.org
Are you a young adult who’s interested in meeting other members of the parish your age, forming a prayer community, engaging in service or learning more about our faith? Do you know someone who is? St. Jude is interested in growing its young adult ministry program, and needs your feedback.
Link to Theology on Tap (Archdiocese Program)