Faith sharing at the Newman Center

Faith Sharing Program Description

In May 2006, an open-forum meeting was held in the tent May to discuss the functional side of our faith sharing program, due to the number of students increasing each year. The average class size has increased from approximately 14 students to 24 students over the past few years.

Many good ideas were discussed with Father Pat by those in attendance. The main areas of which all agreed needed some change were:

Having enough time to get the children into class, take attendance, and still have enough time left to accomplish the lesson of the day;
More continuity with the faith sharing leaders, so that the children are better able to adjust to each session and so the leaders are better able to get to know the children;
Better preparing the children for Confirmation;
Allowing families a choice of Sunday Masses; and
Minimizing the disruption to the Mass caused by the coming and going of the larger classes.

PROGRAM FORMAT

From this meeting, it was determined that the following format will used for the Faith Sharing Program:

Communication, Notices and Bulletins – A separate flyer will discuss how to keep in touch with announcements regarding Faith Sharing. It is most important to read and understand this information. The bulletin and the Newman Center web page will important for each family to stay informed.
Class Times - Faith Sharing classes will begin promptly at 10:00, between the two Sunday Masses. The students will gather inside the main entrance on the first floor by their Faith Sharing Team prior to 9:50. At 9:55, the children will be taken to their appropriate locations. Remember, the rooms and locations often change, so it is important to be prompt.
Room / Area Assignments – Our classes are held each week in the Student Union in rooms or areas that are designated “available” by the building manager. Available rooms / areas change often and are posted on the Room Board by the Coordinator.
Safety – Parents should instruct their students to never walk the building alone. This is not a secure area, and it can be confusing. Students should remain with their Faith Sharing Team until they have met up with their families. It is strongly recommended that parents escort students to class to be sure class is being held. Parents should not just drop off or pick up students at the parking lot.
Returning from Class - At the end of class at 10:30, children in grades Pre-K thru 4 will remain in their class location. Parents should promptly pick up their children there. Parents should communicate with the Faith Sharing Teams so the Teams feel confident all children are appropriately supervised. It will not be possible for Teams to remember each student’s family members. Students in all other grades should leave the room together and meet at the top of the stairs by the elevators.
Sessions - There will be two Faith Sharing sessions:
- Fall Session - October through the December Christmas Program
- Spring Session - Late January through April and the closing celebration
Christmas Program – On the last scheduled Faith Sharing Sunday in December, the students will attend class as usual. At the 10:30 Mass, during the homily time, each grade will do a short, simple Christmas presentation. The presentations are prepared by the Faith Sharing Teams and are generally practiced for the few weeks prior (so class attendance is important to participate).
Closing Celebration – On the last week of scheduled Faith Sharing, there will not be classes. Instead there will be a celebration during the homily time of the 10:30 Mass where each grade is called up to receive a little remembrance of participation. Faith Sharing, musicians and other volunteers are also acknowledged. A juice and baked goods social follows the Mass.
Faith Sharing Teams - There will be a Faith Sharing “Team” for each session and age group. The Team will consist of a group of four or more parents or other parish members, who will commit to working together for a session. The Team members can take turns leading and helping, and can cover for other team members, when they are confronted with other obligations or illness.
Protecting God’s Children Workshop - Team Leaders must participate in the Protecting God’s Children workshop. We encourage Helpers to participate in the workshop for future use as well. Information is available on the Buffalo Diocese web site.
Program Overview – The Faith Sharing program is liturgy based and usually runs with the weekly readings; however, Team Leaders may cover other material at their choosing. The Team Leaders are asked to try to cover a list of basic prayers and concepts, which will be provided to each Team to be incorporated into each month’s classes. For example, for a few weeks perhaps the class is opened by saying the Lord’s Prayer, so the children can hear and use it enough to start remembering it. The list was compiled with the help of the Confirmation leader, who led the 2005 and 2006 Confirmation classes.
Basic Home Schooling Support - Parents will need to use a copy of the basic prayers and concepts as an outline for review and reinforcement at home, so that the students are well versed by Confirmation time.