build a lifelong faith

elementary - m

iddle school

st lawrence o’toolesacred heart

religious education

come to believe

st lawrence o’toolesacred heart

to register your child:sacredheartpattersonny.org/forms

F A M I L Yprogram1st through 5th grade

6th through 8th grade

Dear Families,

There’s no greater human experience than being loved and giving love in return.

We love your kids. And we love helping them grow to understand how much God loves them and watches over them. We want every kid in our religious education programs, either Family Program or EDGE – to know and experience the love the good God has for them and how God will fi ll them with peace and with joy.

At Sacred Heart, our program works with you as parents to help you show your children that faith is about the joy of being loved unconditionally, just for who they are. When we all grasp that we come from God and are going back to him, our lives get deeper and more peaceful and we can put all our challenges into the proper perspective.

Thank you for joining this unique and innovative program of faith formation. We appreciate your confi dence in our new approach to handing on the faith to our children.

God bless,

Fr. Richard GillPastor

st lawrence o’toolesacred heart

F A M I L Y programBELONG TO

A FAMILY OF GOD

The Family Program has one main goal, to pass on the legacy of faith.

During our monthly sessions, hundreds of families come together to share their faith, to be witnesses to each other, and to foster a spirit of community among all families. A typical session includes prayer lead by children, scripture reading and discussion, a mix of activities ranging on devotion to Our Lady, to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, for example. We incorpo-rate games, hands-on-projects, as well as time for an intimate conversation between parents and their children.

We do this because we know that the best learning happens when children see their parents lead by example. We are here for you, and we are happy to offer a space where moms, dads, grandparents, younger siblings, and students can come together, learn their faith, encounter Jesus and have fun at the same time!

Children gathered in the church to experience adoration.

Our Creation BBQ was a fun day forfamilies to play games, work on crafts and get to know one another.

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The St. Lawrence Family Program allows this busy family the opportunity to be the primary teachers in our children’s faith study. -Meghan, mom of 1st grader, 3rd graderand 4th grader

“My son loves and looks forward to attending the monthly session. He has so much fun.”-Peter, dad of a 2nd and 4th grader

Theresa ScorcaReligious Education CoordinatorOffice: 845-279-6098Email: slotreled@comcast.netFax: 845-279-7441

Families choose one sessionper month from the followingdays and times:

ST. LAWRENCESaturday 9:30 am to 11:30 amSaturday 12:30 pm to 2:30 pmSaturday 3:00 pm to 5:00 pmSunday 12:00 pm to 2:00 pmMonday 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

SACRED HEARTWednesday 4:30 pm to 6:30 pmSunday 8:30 am 10:15 am

First and Second grade students willalso attend Sacramental PreparationClasses twice a month on either:

ST. LAWRENCESaturdays 10:00 am to 11:15 amThursdays 4:00 pm to 5:15 pm

SACRED HEARTWednesday 4:30 pm to 5:45 pm

When life gets busy, schedules get hectic, and prioritiesseem to overlap... come to our Family Program, unplugfrom everything for two hours, and spend quality timesharing our faith with your children.

We offer seven sessions each month, just select which oneto attend. If you happen to miss one month, we providemultiple makeup opportunities through written work orattendance at elective parish events.

Sacramental classes are offered to students preparing forPenance and Holy Communion. Catechists work directlywith the children in the classroom to deliver instructionand review assignments to complement what parents doat home as a family.

The online student curriculum provides more independentlearning. Families have told us it is simple and fun for their

kids. We are able to monitor each student’s work electron-ically, and we send encouraging feedback to parents.

We have special optional events for the entire family likeAdvent Wreath Making, Christmas Story Time, Jesus is My

Valentine Party, Giant Helium Rosary, and First Friday Chil-dren’s Eucharistic Adoration. Our Summer Vacation BibleSchool is always a blast! It integrates faith with fun, learningthrough songs, crafts and outdoor water games.

to register your child:sacredheartpattersonny.org/forms

An XLT evening of adoration and fun activities afterward.

Activities during an EDGE night to

explain a lesson.Team building and

small group sharing.

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Theresa ScorcaReligious Education CoordinatorOffi ce: 845-279-6098Email: slotreled@comcast.netFax: 845-279-7441

TWICE A MONTHST. LAWRENCE Tuesdays 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm SACRED HEART Wednesdays 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

XLT ONCE A MONTH at St. Lawrence 7:00 pm-8:00 pm at St. Lawrence Church8:00 pm-9:00 pm Social Hour

Service Projects8th Grade Retreat

to register your child:sacredheartpattersonny.org/forms

Our goal in EDGE is to form the faith in our youth, and bring them to an encounter with Jesus.

EDGE is a nationally recognized Catholic middle school (youth in grades six, seven, and eight) ministry aimed at presenting the truths of the Catholic faith in a hands-on and relevant format. The format of EDGE is designed to meet the spiritual, physical, educational, and social needs of our middle school youth. EDGE Nights allow youth to learn about their faith through talks, skits, videos, small group discussions and sharing what they know with their friends.

WHY IS EDGE IMPORTANT?

The middle school years are about change and transition. As they grow and develop, middle school youth begin to experience a desire for independence and are both excited and scared at how their world is changing. Research indicates that positive, supportive relationships with adults/mentors can be a very rewarding experience for youth at this age. The EDGE Ministry provides this experience for our middle school youth.

GOALS OF EDGE

• To assist middle school youth in gaining an understanding and appreciation of what the Catholic Church teaches and believes;• To incorporate the Catholic Church’s vision of social justice and peace into the spiritual lives of middle school youth;• To develop an understanding in middle school youth that they are a vital presence within the parish community; and• To enter into and transform the culture and lives of middle school youth with the Good News of Jesus Christ and His Church.