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
- Young Adult (20's) Gatherings
- Welcoming Catholics Back Home
- Cherub Church07 Program Information Available)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word
- Kamp
- Religious Education - Elementary
- FIRE: Family-Centered Religious Education
- 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
Mission
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.
Commission Members
Donna Killian, Donna Rund, Ron Sondgerath, John Stewart, Rachel Dees, Bob Degitz, Suzan Moyer, Ruth Niezgodski, Ann Unversaw, Tammy Stewart, and Annette Calloway
Adult Formation Committee
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 780-7591
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.
The selection of programs is always changing so please check out our web-page for more information on any of the programs listed below.
Adult Formation at St. Jude Parish Link
- Denver Biblical Studies
- Seven Step to Becoming Financially Free
- First Friday Coffee Club
- End of Life Seminar
- Food for Body and Soul
- A Contemporary Look at Scripture by Jim Welter
- Seder Supper
- Other Adult Spirituality
- Small Church Communities
- Christ Renews His Parish
- Ministry of Mothers Sharing
Adult Formation Opportunities Outside the Parish
This page is filled with adult formation opportunites outside the parish. The visiter will find retreat centers, pilgrimage locations, or formal adult formation programs. Keep an eye on this page as new opportunities will be added.
Adult Formation Opportunites Outside the Parish Link
Young Adult Gatherings
Contact: Josh Swaim
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: jswaim@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. Here’s what’s going on now:
- Service – Some of our young adults go to Lord’s Pantry on Saturday mornings. We’re also visiting St. Paul’s Hermitage nursing home on the second Thursday of the month (through May).
- Theology on Tap is a social and educational event for young adults in the Indianapolis area. It takes place at Vito's on Penn. A speaker is invited to speak on some faith-related topic. Link to Theology on Tap
St. Jude Young Adult's Blog Link
Welcoming Catholics Back Home
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 780-7591
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. Please join us for a six-week series that begins the Thursday after New Years or again after Easter, at 7pm in the Church. We would like to address your questions and make you feel at home once more in the Catholic Church. For more information, please contact: Annette Calloway 317-780-7591 or acalloway@stjudeindy.org.
St. Jude Catholics Welcoming Catholics Back Home Web-Page
Cherub Church (Preschool Religious Education)
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 780-7591
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, 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 10 a.m. Mass. Our program is a beautiful way for children to develop a sense of community and belonging to the parish of St. Jude.
Children's Liturgy of the Word
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 780-7591
Email: tstewart@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.
CLOW April - June 2008 schedule
Kamp
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
Kids And Moms at Play (formerly MOMS Morning) 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.
Religious Education - Elementary
Contact: Tammy Stewart or Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 786-4371
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org or acalloway@stjudeindy.org
For students who attend township schools, religious education is provided on Tuesday nights 6:30-7:45 pm in the school. This age appropriate curriculum complies with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, as outlined by the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. By creating opportunities to grow through prayer, service activities and classroom experience, this program will enhance a child's faith development. 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.
Link to 2007-2008 Registration Form
Link to 2007-2008 Religious Education Family Handbook
Link to 2007-2008 Religious Education Class Schedule
Link to prayers for Prayer Bowl
NEW FIRE - Family Centered Religious Education
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 780-7591
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
What is FIRE? Family-centered Intergenerational Religious Education is done in the context of groups of 3-5 multigenerational families. Using a weel defined instructional book these groups aprticipate in games, experiences, discussion and simulations to present a gold mine of easily adaptable material for faith formation. This is ongoing faith developement that spans age and backgrounds.
Adults Seeking to Become Catholic (RCIA)
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 780-7591
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.
Fuller Description of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Adults Seeking Confirmation
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 780-7591
Email: acalloway@stjudeindy.org
Adult Catholics (those beyond high school years) who wish to be confirmed in the Catholic Faith are invited to join the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This process is filled with time for discernment, spiritual growth and knowledge of our beliefs. At St. Jude the process begins in August or September and culminates at the Easter Vigil with confirmation.
Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
Contact: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 780-7591
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: Annette Calloway
Phone: (317) 780-7591
Email: acalloway@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.
2007-2008 Second Grade Sacramental Prep. Schedule Revised 09-20-07
Share a Meal Food Assignments 2008
2008 Sacramental Preparation Survey - Word Version
2008 Sacramental Preparation Survey - PDF
Vacation Bible School
Contact: Tammy Stewart
Phone: (317) 780-7591
Email: tstewart@stjudeindy.org
Here the music and smell the popcorn. Come enter SonWorld Adventure Park, where kids will discover that choosing Jesus is the ticket to the best ride of their lives. The traditional day time session will be July 14-18th 9:00-12:15, for ages 4 yrs to 5th grade. The family-centered evening program will run from July 13-17th, 6:30-8:30 and is for families with children of all ages. Adult and teen volunteers are needed to serve as group and station leaders for both sessions.