WHERE FINDING GOD & FAITH FORMATION
COME TOGETHER AT HOME!
As disciples we are called to make Christ present in the world through the Body of Christ, the Church.
Faith Formation for Families is a process in which our parish team (of staff and volunteer catechists) accompanies parents in the task of mentoring their family into living our faith. Through this process children and adults are invited to discover and to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ so as to live more fully our Catholic Christian faith.
Family & Faith Process:
Families gather in September to receive an orientation of the process and to get to know the other families they will journey with throughout this season (ends in May). In order for the whole family (both parents and children) to grow in faith together, each month’s gathering will focus on a topic of our faith in which families will navigate through various presentations, activities and experiences designed to expand their understand of the faith topic presented. Each family will then create a plan to put this new faith knowledge into practice at home, work, and school for the remainder of that month. At the each monthly gathering, families will share how well they were able to follow through on their plan, what stumbling blocks they encountered and what they discovered along the way about themselves as individuals, as members of a family, and as members of the Body of Christ.
Preparations for the reception of the Sacraments is incorporated into this Faith Formation process, which requires continuous growth in and active living of the faith.
Families seeking Sacrament preparations for an older child will need to participate in the Family Faith Formation process. Once a family has a firm connection to our Lord Jesus Christ, demonstrates a desire for continuing growth in their lived faith and their child’s readiness will determine when preparations for reception of the Sacraments begins.
Upcoming Events
Greetings Faith Formation Parents –
I do hope that you and your family are healthy and safe. We are facing some very difficult challenges of which there seems to be more questions each day than answers. One answer we can be assured of is that we are not alone in these challenges. Our Lord is always with us no matter where no matter what. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic here I alerted you that our Faith Formation gatherings would be suspended for the remainder of the season.
As your child is now e-learning or so other form of at home learning to keep up their academic learning, let’s keep their faith formation growing as well! Here is an opportunity for parents and the parish to truly work in partnership to continue to form our young disciples in the faith.
I am in the process of setting up a Google classroom for families to use as we continue our formation together. Through this classroom you will be able to see reading assignments, view videos, and respond to the session materials. You will receive an email invitation to join this classroom once it is established. Additionally, I ask that you stay connected to our family in faith. The links to Sunday Connection, daily Scriptures, and ways to be of service even when staying in place are posted below. More now than ever we need to remember we are the Body of Christ to each other and to care for those in greatest need.
Humbly-
MaryEllen Casselman
Resources for Families during this Health Crisis
While the celebration of Mass has been suspended at this time, consider using your normal Mass time to read and reflect on the Sunday scriptures as a family!
Preview Sunday’s scriptures, reflect, and open a dialogue with your family
Don’t have a Bible! Click here to locate both the daily and Sunday readings
REGARDING OPPORTUNITIES to SERVE –
Consider these opportunities to reach out to those in need, especially our elderly and those on active duty.
Check with the organizations below to find how you might be of help during the Stay in Place order.
The organizations listed below have instituted protocols to keep their staffs, volunteers, and clients safe during this time while still providing the vital services needed. Please contact the organization prior to offering your assistance regarding the protocols they have put in place. While it is important to remember the most vulnerable at this time, it is equally important to keep everyone healthy and safe.
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Our Lady of Angels Mission – Volunteer Page The Mission of Our Lady of the Angels establishes a Catholic presence in the West Humboldt Park area on Chicago’s west side. This area is presently one of the poorest neighborhoods in the City of Chicago. The purpose of the Mission is twofold: to assist the materially poor and to share the treasure of our Catholic Faith.
Mobile Food Pantry (first Saturday of the Month)
Community Dinners (twice monthly)
Behind the Scenes (help sort donations, plus)
Friends of the Chicago River- Stewardship Days Since 1979, Friends has been working to improve the health of the Chicago River system for the benefit of people, plants and animals; and by doing so, has laid the foundation for the river to be a beautiful, continuous, and easily accessible corridor of open space in the Chicago region.
Greater Chicago Food Depository – Repack Days The Food Depository is part of a united community effort working to bring food, dignity and hope to our Cook County neighbors. We act as the hub for a network of more than 700 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and other programs. These programs provide food where it’s most needed. We also address the root causes of hunger. Public benefits outreach and job training programs offer a hand up for our neighbors to overcome poverty.
Cradles to Crayons – Giving Factory Volunteers Without adequate and appropriate clothing, children face unfair barriers and participate in life on an unequal playing field. Across most of the United States, only three (food, housing, energy) of four basic needs are supported by government safety net programs. Cradles to Crayons uses the term “Clothing Insecurity” as part of our efforts to formally recognize the issue, and increase awareness on this hidden basic need.
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Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. We supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities.
Helping Children during the Stay at Home Order
Helping Children and Teens Cope with Anxiety About COVID-19 Click: This article, put out by Seattle Children’s Hospital, offers tips for helping children and teens who are trying to make sense of what the outbreak means for their families and communities.
How to Handwash Catholic Style: Put out by the Diocese of Dallas, this is a fun but helpful way to help parents guide children to thoroughly was their hands (and pray at the same time) during the COVID-19 . Click : Attachment 1
Spring Edition – Living the Faith @ Home
Growing Faith @ Home
Finding God series – Parent Resources
Family & Faith Resources – Loyola Press
Teaching Personal Safety (Real World & Online)
Netsmatz: Keeping Kid’s Safe Online
Kid Smartz: Teaching Kids Personal Safety
Teaching-Boundaries-and-Safety-Guide-English
Children Matter Network -Resources
Resources for Parents from-Faith Formation Office
St Robert Bellarmine App (Apple Store)
Give Central – Online Payments/Donations
Our Faith Formation Team
MaryEllen Casselman- Catechetical Leader
Damary Madera – Administrative Assistant
Contact Information:
St. Robert Bellarmine – Faith Formation Office
4646 N. Austin Avenue Chicago, IL 60630
Phone: 773-286-0956 / Fax: 773-777-2770
Email: faithformationofc@srb-chicago.org
