CHRISTIAN FORMATION 2008-09

Protecting God’s Children (VIRTUS TRAINING): All volunteers age 18 and older who work with or around children in the parish must complete the Virtus “Protecting God’s Children” Awareness Seminar within three months of submitting the background screening forms to Prince of Peace. To check for a session or to register, go to www.richmonddiocese.org, click on “Diocese of Richmond Safe Environment Program,” then “Diocesan Training Sessions” and follow the Virtus links. You can attend any seminar at any location as long as the web listing does not restrict the audience. Training sessions currently available in our area are:

CONGRATULATIONS! We have nine more catechists who have been certified by the Diocese of Richmond by completing the 2004 Pathways Catechist Formation. Let us continue to celebrate their achievement. Congratulations to: Robert R. Boring; Andrew L. Fritz; Donna Lehmann; Dr. Adrian Marchi; Katie McDonald; Mary Jo Packert; Thomas Packert; Myra Seimetz; and James A. Williams!

CATECHISTS AND ASSISTANTS NEEDED: We still need Catechists and Assistants for some of the weekday Christian Formation classes. Please help pass on the faith to the children and teens of our parish. Please contact Natalie or Karen in the Parish Office (547-0356) to volunteer.

CHRISTMAS BREAK FOR CHRISTIAN FORMATION CLASSES: Christian Formation classes for all ages will take their Christmas break according to the following schedule:

K-8^th Tuesday and Wednesday classes: No classes December 30, or 31. Classes resume January 6 and 7.

K-11^th Sunday morning classes: No classes December 28. Classes resume January 4.

7^th-11^th Sunday evening classes: No classes December 28 or January 4. Classes resume January 11.

Adult Scripture Share between the Masses: No sessions December 28. Sessions resume January 4.

We are in need of three adults who would be willing to step forward to continue to pass on the faith to the youth of our community. Due to employment, relocation and possible deployments, the following classes need additional assistance.

Wednesday, Third Grade class that meets at 4:30 p.m. This class meets for one hour weekly. We have one catechist in the class and need a co-catechist who can assist each week and be ready to take the class during the times that the catechist must leave early for her job.

Sunday, Seventh Grade class that meets at 6:30 p.m. This class meets twice a month from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Due to relocation and possible deployment of the current catechist and co-catechist, we need two adults who can be ready to step in and continue the formation of these young people. This can be done on a rotating basis so that the class is able to continue.

Our youth are looking to the adults of the community to help them understand and learn about their faith. Diocesan policy requires that there be two adults in each classroom. Please prayerfully consider this valuable ministry with our young parishioners. Please contact Karen in the Parish Office as soon as possible so that we are able to resume these classes in January.

2009 YOUTH MISSION TRIPS: We have registered for our 2009 summer youth mission trip to Prince Frederick, MD July 12-18. We can add participants to our group as long as the workcamp has space available. Any youth who will be in 10^th grade or higher next summer who are interested in going to this Catholic Heart Workcamp, please contact Natalie Jordan in the Parish Office (547-0356 or natalie.jordan@popparish.org). All nearby workcamps for younger youth filled before we could register a group; contact Natalie Jordan to discuss alternatives.

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: The High School Youth Group will meet this Sunday, December 7^th from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All high school youth are invited to join us in the Youth Room (room 1 of the Education Wing) for dinner, fun, and fellowship.

BIBLE STUDY FOR HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH: The next Bible Study for high school youth, led by our peer ministers, will be Thursday, December 11^th from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Youth Room (room 1 of the Education Wing). All high school teens are invited to come out and dig deeper into Scripture, learning and sharing how God’s Word applies to and acts in their lives.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: Our next gathering will be on December 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. We will meet in the Parish Hall at 12:45 p.m., then proceed to go out to our POP Christmas Tree Lot located in front of the Church. Then we will return to the Parish Hall at 5:00 p.m. to have our Holiday Potluck Dinner! All middle school youth are cordially invited to join us for fun at the Christmas Tree Lot and continue the fun with dinner!

Dinner and dessert items for the Holiday Potluck can be brought to the Parish Hall Kitchen prior to the 11:00 a.m. Mass on Sunday, December 14.

Christian Formation "Kick-Off", September 14, 2008, for Junior High and High School Students.