Over to the left, you will see the document "Prayers to Know by Grade". This is a good starting point. You can look up the prayers that your children should be learning at their age. Use this as a basis for bedtime prayers. (Younger siblings will pick up on the older siblings' prayers very quickly!)

Prayer at mealtimes and bedtime should be non-negotiable, and it will develop habits in your children that will serve them for the rest of their lives! Other things to do to increase prayer in your home is to set up a "Sacred Space" and have daily family prayer time. Choose a format and follow it each time, it will help the family know what is happening, and the children will catch on and be able to lead parts of it themselves. Here's an option:

1. Open with Sign of the Cross
2. Dad or Mom starts and says their petitions, go around to each family member and let them say their petitions.
3. Dad or Mom finishes leading the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
4. Close with the Sign of the Cross

This is a simple way to include everyone and it doesn't take much in the way of planning and there are no "props" needed. Of course you can also do any of the following:
1. Pray the Rosary together (or just one decade if you have little ones or are new to it)
2. Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy (at 3:00PM!)
3. Celebrate a Liturgy of the Word with the daily readings.
4. Pray the Angelus together at 6:00AM, noon, and/or 6:00PM.
5. Pray a Litany of Saints for your family include all the patron saints of your family members and friends.

These are only a few ideas. More will be added in the coming days and weeks. (If you have favorite family prayers, pass them along and Mrs. Beth will add them!)

You can also sign up for the Teaching Catholic Kids newsletter - each week they send it with prayers, Gospel reflections, saint stories, and activies to do with your children.

Elementary Religious  Education

RE is open to children, PK4 through 6th grade.  Sessions take place in our Multipurpose Building.  In the classroom children experience a planned lesson which includes Scripture, catechesis in faith formation, prayer, and a related craft or activity.   Throughout the year we participate in various service projects, including food drive, Lenten almsgiving, spring clean up, etc.  At least once a semester, the children attend Mass in the main Church with the youth from JSAY & SAY, to learn how the community of faith and the Mystical Body of Christ work in their lives. All parents/guardians are welcome and encouraged to join us for Mass. We also have several other prayer and liturgical services throughout the year that parents are encouraged to attend with your children.

CLASS TIME: Wednesdays, 6:00-7:30PM following the BISD calendar for breaks and holidays..

The curriculum we use is Alive in Christ (1st - 6th grades) and Allelu! (PreK - Kinder) by OSV. There are links to the Alive in Christ website with fantastic resources for families to begin and continue the faith formation process at home. If your child misses a class, there are home lessons to get them caught up. If you don't know the answer to a question, there are resources to help you learn so you can help your children learn.

Most of all, be present to your children as they journey in their faith life. Help them to become friends with Jesus Christ. Bring them to Mass, help them learn the Mass. Bring them to faith formation classes, help them to participate fully in their faith. We are your partners in the faith formation of your children.

Little Blessings

In order to provide faith formation opportunities for adults a Nursery, Two's, and Three's Room will be available for children not yet of age for "formal formation."  Children will explore fun bible truths nurturing children physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  Music and play time will fill this loving environment!

This is a free service, provided to our catechists and those parents who are actively attending any Adult Religious Education session!