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Adult Faith Formation
The United States Catholic Bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Adult
Faith Formation is a document called,
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us.
This document challenges parishes and dioceses to place
adult faith formation at the forefront of catechetical
planning. “We are convinced that effective adult faith
formation will make our efforts in all [educational]
initiatives more fruitful.” because “An adult community
whose faith is well-formed and lively will more effectively
pass that faith on to the next generation.”
In addition to sacramental preparation programs like our
Engaged Experience, RCIA and Baptism Preparation, St Thomas
More provides opportunities for regular bible study as
well as topical studies relevant to the liturgical calendar,
parish activities and societal issues. Watch the bulletin
for more information or call the Adult Faith Formation
Office in the Community Center.
Holy
Name Society
The
Holy Name Society encourages a renewal of personal
commitment to Jesus by reflecting on the Word of God and
striving to model one’s life after the life of Jesus. The
general purpose of the Society is honor of the Name of
God. It presents to its members a program that generates the
spiritual qualities necessary for participation in a sincere
public devotion to God through prayer, frequent reception of
the Sacraments, social activities, community outreach and
support of the parish through gifts of time, talent and
treasure.
The Holy Name Society is open to all members of the parish.
Once your application is approved, you are a member of the
HNS for life. No dues are required, but donations by
members are welcome for particular projects.
Little
Kingdom
Little Kingdom is a family religious
education experience for newborn children to five years old.
Every Friday morning, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. we meet in St.
Thomas More’s Parish Nursery. Parents, Grandparents,
Caregivers, etc. join together with the children for
Free Play, Prayer, Lessons,
Crafts, Songs, and Snacks. Free Play
provides an opportunity for children
to share and interact. Little Kingdom teaches the children
to love and treat others as we would treat ourselves through
Christ's message. Prayer introduces our lesson of the day.
Encouraging children to learn the sign of the cross, take a
moment to think whom or what they would like to pray or be
thankful for, and help children figure out what God is going
to teach us (through that day’s lesson). Lessons teach
simple messages about friendships, love and other themes
based from scripture. Crafts reinforce the theme from the
lesson and allow the children time to explore art materials.
Songs and musical instruments allow time for prayer through
music. Snacks are given at the end, and children are then
taught to pray and give thanks for our food. For more
information, contact Geraldine at 236-4332
Marriage Encounter
This weekend
enrichment experience for married couples is designed to
deepen and enrich the joys of married life. Learn new
communication techniques, and ways to be more aware of and
attentive to each other's needs. It's a great opportunity to
spend time with one another and to remember that Christ is
an important part of your marriage.
Ministry of Mothers Sharing (M.O.M.S.)
Everyone has a mom.
Now every mother can be part of MOMS; a national program.
Mothers of all types and ages - including
grandmothers, adoptive mothers and stepmothers are welcome
to join MOMS. "It's a common misconception that our
ministry is only for mothers of young children. We've found
that diversity in ages among the participants actually
enriches the experience for all members." MOMS is a peer
ministry where faith sharing groups give women spiritual
support and promote spiritual growth. Mothers meet once a
week in small groups. The meetings include prayer and faith
sharing. Following the initial 8 week program, mothers can
choose to continue meeting with their small group on a
semi-monthly basis. All the small groups come together
twice a year for social dinners as well as an annual weekend
retreat once each summer and a day long prayer event once
each winter and spring. More good news: Childcare by
fellow ministry members is provided for MOMS sessions, small
groups are offered to fit around your schedule, available in
mornings or evenings.
Religious Education
Religious Education
includes classes for all grades, K - Confirmation (9th
grade & older) even if a student has never attended
religious education. Exciting options that were recently
added to our program include:
* Early
morning classes on Thursday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. for
students in K - 5th grade.
* Home
Catechesis which is a family program where the parents teach
their children at home 3 weeks a month and then the 1st
Thursday of each month parent and children attend a session
at the Community Center from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
All students must
register each year for the Religious Education Office.
More Youth
(Middle School Students)
More Youth is a
unique program for Middle School age students at St. Thomas
More. More Youth is designed to have middle school youth
explore and experience their faith. Six components make up
More Youth: Breaking Open The Word, Prayer, Family
Nights, Socials, Service Activities and In God's Image
Program. A parent orientation is required for registration
into More Youth office in the Community Center for more
details.
LIFE TEEN
(High School
Students)
LIFE TEEN's main
goal is to lead teens closer to Christ. It is a
comprehensive youth ministry program based on, focused on
and directed toward the Eucharist. All high school teens are
invited to participate in the program that includes the
upbeat and spiritual Sunday mass, LIFE Nights on Sunday
events after mass, as well as service projects, retreats and
social activities throughout the year. LIFE TEEN provides
three retreats a year; a fall, spring and the annual week
long summer work retreat called L.I.G.H.T. (Living In God's
House Together). LIFE TEEN is a big commitment, but the
rewards are unbelievable. As you lead teens closer to
Christ, you'll find yourself becoming closer to Him. We also
have a teen leadership group in LIFE TEEN called The Young
Disciples. They are a group of juniors and seniors who
participated in a week long discernment and have committed
themselves to serving this community by being involved with
planning LIFE Nights, planning other various prayer and
social activities, have given testimonies, been involved in
skits and much more.
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