Parish: North American Martyrs

What: "Building Family Faith: Preparing at Home for the Sunday Liturgy"

A program for all families to spend time together during the Advent season reading, reflecting and praying together.

How: Each family is given a book with the weekly Advent readings. These books guide the family as they

• Read the Sunday Scripture
• Reflect and share what they have read
• Work on family traditions and perhaps begin new ones
• Pray together

Contact person: Floyd Guidry

What: Advent Wreath Making

How: Following one of the weekend Masses, families are invited to the school gym to create an Advent wreath. Pizza, salad and juice are served.

What: Advent sale

How: Following weekend Masses, families are invited to purchase Advent candles, calendars, cards, books, videos and other items to enrich Advent in the home.

What: Scavenger Hunt

How: Children meet in the school and search the grounds for items related to Holy Week. Refreshments are served

Contact person: Linda Donovan

What: Family Advent Activity Day

How: CCD children accompanied by an adult gather around the Advent wreath in the Social Hall for gathering prayer and Advent songs. They then rotate to several stations where they engage in a variety of activities related to the Advent theme. It is a morning of fun and learning. It concludes with Mass.

Contact person: Sr. Zoe Ann Reiter, HM

What: Advent Party

How: The Christian Mothers sponsor the Advent Party for the young children and their families that features Advent activities along with food, drink and entertainment.

What: Advent Vespers

How: Each Sunday evening during Advent the parish sponsors vespers. Refreshments and fellowship follow the service.

Contact person: Rosalie Eckels

What: Family Retreat Days

How: Families gather and experience a liturgical lesson, a communal penance service, confession, seasonal craft and snack foods.

Contact person: Sr. Linda Soltis

What: Advent /Lent Family Gatherings

How: Committee members are gathered from those who helped plan the celebration of first Communion.

Each gathering consists of:

• Attendance at the parish Sunday Liturgy, 12:30 Mass.
• Followed by a brief instruction in church as to the procedures for the activities.
• A sheet is given to the families to help them follow the activities, etc.

Walk with Jesus

Stations of the Cross were set up with different projects for each station whether it was a prayer, making something, or bringing an item for Mooncrest Outreach Program.

An egg carton containing various items related to the Triduum was constructed with an accompanying prayer book.

Pysanka were decorated

One year the various stations included the making of an Advent wreath.  Another year the highlight was the O Antiphons made using a Pringles’ can. Yet another year focused on the Jesse Tree symbols and the construction of a banner.  

This year the Sacrament of Baptism was highlighted. There was a Baptism during the 12:30 Mass. Children decorated cup cakes for being born into the church. A handout was given to the families related to Baptism so they could follow the Baptism. They constructed the various symbols used for Baptism during the activities. Activities include refreshments and some element of service.

Contact person: Sr. Jeanine Morozowich

What: Family Advent Wreath making

How: Families are invited to the parish an afternoon during Advent to make an Advent Wreath. The event includes a prayer service and refreshments.

Contact person: Narinjan Hope

What: Advent celebrations

How: Made materials available to the families for Advent celebrations at home and arranged for a family Advent celebration in the parish.

What: Las Posadas

How: One of the catechists is Hispanic and is leading Las Posadas for the rest. Parents are invited to participate. These celebrations commemorate Mary and Joseph's cold and difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter. "Posada" in Spanish, simply means lodging or shelter. Nowadays, the posada has evolved into a religious and social celebration, paying a festive homage to the journey. They usually end with the piñata.

Contact person: Marilyn Chesko

What: Lenten Community Gathering

How: This year’s celebration involved a gathering on Sunday afternoon for all types of families.  Instead of calling it a family gathering, the word "community" was chosen to be more inclusive.  It was a great inter-generational activity from babes in arms to grandparents, single, married, blended families, etc.  The basis for this event was the Sadlier we believe web.com material on the website, but a few other touches were incorporated. The focus was on penitential practices -- prayer, penance and good works. The program began with soup and salad luncheon, continued with presentations and activities on the penitential practices, and concluded with various stations of good works activities. The evaluations were very promising and requested more family gatherings.

How:  Although on the surface this might seem like a fluffy activity, this event actually combines the 8 components of youth ministry into one high-energy intergenerational event.  The morning began with a prayer and blessing of the families by the pastor, followed by the hunt for plastic eggs filled with candy and treats (some have religious items such as rosaries) which are scattered all over the parish grounds.  (Parishioners donated many of the eggs and much of the candy) Afterwards, the families come to the school cafeteria (or church hall/activity center) for activities that include:  crafts stations (beadwork, foam crafts -- all based on Christian themes), face painting, cookie decorating, and refreshments.  This year there was also a service component incorporated, thereby giving the opportunity for the entire parish to participate whether or not they were present.  Items were collected for baskets for parish shut-ins and these baskets were assembled as part of the activities of the egg hunt.  This event was sponsored by the middle school youth ministry and included teens, parents and grandparents helping, while families with young children got to play and do creative and service activities. 

Contact person: Celine Mitchell

What: Opening Day Event

How: In September, on the first day of weekly children's faith formation sessions, parents and children come to the church together at the beginning of their sessions.  There is a brief prayer service, which includes an adapted "Rite of Welcome" in which parents make the Sign of the Cross over the various parts of the child's body.  Catechists are then introduced and they lead the children to classrooms, while parents stay for 15 more minutes to learn more about our faith formation program, and things they can do at home to enhance their children's faith formation.   Attendance is high.

Contact person: Mary Reichel 

What: Parent night

How: Parents meet on assigned nights according to their child's grade. The parents sign in, pick up their child's new C.C.D. book, and meet with our Pastor, and catechetical administrator.  The pastor gives a presentation on various topics (mass attendance as a family, religious education, etc.). The CA familiarizes parents with their child's C.C.D. book, gives an outline of what the child will be learning in the respective grades, where to locate certain prayers in the book, and reviews the student handbook. This gives the pastor and CA a chance to meet parents on a positive note and recruit "parents as partners" for our C.C.D. program. 

Contact person: Sharon Nerone

What: Open House

How: Each CCD grade has all their teaching materials displayed including CVOL and textbooks. The parents can examine materials and ask questions. They also get an overview of the year. The children introduce their parents and teachers.

Cookies and punch are served.

Contact person: Rosalie Eckels

What: Confirmation program

How: The confirmation students are separated into 5 groups and they meet in the homes of 5 parent/catechists. They meet 2-3 times a month for two years. The in-home environment appears to lend to greater better attendance, response, and more effective teaching. In the smaller groups the students have bonded well and therefore are more willing to share experiences and participate with the catechist. Due to the level of comfort, they can respond more freely. The priests and CA visit each site at some time throughout the year. They meet 2-3 times per year as a whole group for retreats and other learning sessions.

Contact person: Chris Patsch

What: Family Centered Sacramental Preparation

How: At First Eucharist and First Reconciliation parent meetings, parents learn abut the Sacraments on an adult level and they are given workbooks to be used at home for preparing the children for the sacraments. They also participate in a First Eucharist retreat with their children and are strongly encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation along with their children at the First Penance Service.

Confirmation parents and candidates attend the Confirmation Parent Meeting together and interact for discussion questions. Parents and candidates then split up to receive separate presentation targeted toward their needs and concerns. Parents are also encouraged to participate in confirmation retreats/classes.

What: Family Reconciliation Services

How: As a regular part of Faith Formation program, two Family Reconciliation Services are offered each year, with child-friendly music, readings, and homily—plus at least 7 kind and gentle confessors for individual confession. At the November service, children process for ward with gifts of food for Thanksgiving dinners for the poor. At the February service, (called the "Lent Event") children come forward with pennies they have collected for the poor. Babysitting is available and Faith Formation classes are cancelled that week so all families can attend.

Contact person: Mary Reichel

What: First Communion family interviews

How: Candidates for First communion and their parents are interviewed as a family and are asked to sign a family covenant. The covenant includes 10 points that encourage families to nurture faith in their child as he/she approaches the sacrament.

Contact person: Sr. Zoe Ann Reiter, HM

What: Parent committees

How: In preparing for First Holy Communion, groups of parents are working on various aspects of the liturgy, retreat day and logistics.

Contact person: Marilyn Chesko

What: Interactive sacramental programs

How: All sacrament preparation is done with parents and children. The First Reconciliation Preparation meeting involves 7 interactive centers where the parents, 2^nd grader child and other siblings explore scripture stories about forgiveness, conscience formation, contrition prayers, 10 commandments, steps for confession, etc.

The Sacrament of Penance also involves the entire family plus the extended family of Godparents and Grandparents.  It begins with a communal penance service and individual confessions.  After the children come out of the Reconciliation Room, they are greeted by parents and family members. They proceed to 4 interactive stations spaced around the church.  All of the stations recall their Baptismal commitment. One of the stations involves a special family blessing by the Deacon.

Part of the preparation for First Communion involves a comprehensive church tour.  In this tour the family has a guide sheet and 40 questions that they are to answer as they explore the church.  All areas and items in the church are labeled and have a card telling about that particular item or area of the church.  The pastor and deacon are vested and are available to help with explanations.  
All Confirmation meetings also involve candidate, parents and sponsor.  

Contact person: Sr. Linda Loltis

What: Classes for Reconciliation and Eucharist

How: In the past when second grade parents were invited to classes for Reconciliation and Eucharist, the attendance was very poor. They started to invite the parents with their children to the classes and attendance increased dramatically. Children go to one room with an instructor and the parents in another room with their instructor. After the instruction, both groups come together and view a video, have a discussion and end with a prayer service. This format has proven to be very satisfying for all involved.

Contact person: Dolores Vecchiola

What: Parent-child breakfast sessions for Confirmation class

How: In the context of breakfast, the Confirmation class and their parents come together and pray together and view Bishop Wuerl’s Confirmation videos. The parents help their youngster answer the follow-up questions.

Contact person: Narinjan Hope

What: Sacramental Chats

How: (This idea originated from programming at St. Richard Parish, Gibsonia) Coordinator for Youth Ministry (who oversees confirmation preparation) meets with each teen who is being confirmed, their parent(s) and with luck, the sponsor, too, for about 30-45 minutes. These are scheduled over the course of a year. This is so much more productive than a big parent meeting.

Purposes:

To discuss what the sacrament is all about answer any questions reaffirm the lessons taught in faith formation and special preparation before the sacrament provide concrete examples of ways families can help their teen prepare (for example, we discussed the meaning of the gifts of the spirit and encourage the family members to try to recognize how they use the gifts of the spirit in every day life – or places where that work of the Spirit might help them – another way to make it part of their daily life).

Some Topics / Themes:

A sacrament tied to baptism

Celebrates gifts God has already planted within you

What is the teen’s responsibility in this sacrament?

The role of the faith community and your part in it - Mass

How is the Holy Spirit alive and working in your family?

How your family can live as an outward sign of God’s activity in you.

Contact Person: Jill Slifkey

What: Whole Parish Faith Formation

How: Instead of having a meeting for parents on Reconciliation, Confirmation, and first Eucharist, there is a Reconciliation Event, a Confirmation Event and a Eucharist Event, which are intergenerational experiences of catechesis in these areas. The children and their whole families are invited to take part—grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, etc. and also other members of the parish. It is a program of song, prayer, reflections, discussion and activities centered on the theme.

Contact person: Bernice Dumitru

What: Religion Fair

How: Catechists are saving many of the papers and symbols of faith the children have completed in class. Historians are compiling scrapbooks for display. Using lots of pictures, there will be a video and PowerPoint presentation. Parents and all parishioners are invited.

Contact person: Marilyn Chesko

What: Senior Prom

How: This might not sound like a family program on the surface, but this event incorporates the components of youth ministry, stressing the social teachings of the church.  The teens host/sponsor the spring event for senior citizens of the parish who are treated to an afternoon of food, music/entertainment, and fellowship.  This intergenerational activity allows everyone to participate - younger families help with the preparation, set-up, serving, while everyone mingles with the senior citizens who often share their stories to the younger listeners.

What: Song for God

How: This is a very long-established program at Holy Sepulcher for young mothers and their infants/toddlers/preschoolers.  This group meets for 6 weeks in the spring and 6 weeks in the fall.  The children gather in a room with a catechist and work on crafts and songs about Jesus while the mothers gather to discuss parenting and faith issues.  This year's topic was "Guiltless Catholic Parenting from A-Z".  Mother's not only form strong friendships and support groups, but so do the little ones!

Contact person: Celine Mitchell

What: Parent and Teen Dinners

1. To encourage positive interaction among parents and teens within the parish environment.
2. To assist families in growing spiritually as a family
3. To raise awareness for issues that break down family life and help them develop skills to instead build up their family relationships

• Building Healthy Youth and Healthy Communities, Lisa DeCarlos North Hills Youth Ministry Counseling Center. She gave a presentation and directed some fun activities.
• Dinner is Served: What is the value of serving as a family? Some use of CMD’s Youth Ministry Access materials for discussion and brainstorming. Used the Beatitudes to talk about serving. Played Cranium Hoopla (a popular board game) using our own words for service and justice where teens and parents team up to get the rest of the group to guess the idea or object
• Fun and Games – We played games with Catholic Trivia – teens against parents
• Family Communication – We discussed in family groups ways the family communicates well or not so well. They brainstormed ways to improve that were posted for all. And discussed building blocks of the Mission of a Christian Family.
• What is youth ministry?

Popular meals: We keep it simple: Either chicken/veggie/potato or Spaghetti and Salad – and ALWAYS have dessert!

What: Junior High Family Nights

How: Parents were invited to join us for parent nights at Junior High Faith Formation about four times during the course of the year. Each time we had activities that they could do with the kids in order to interact.

Purposes:

To encourage shared learning about their Catholic faith between parents and their young person

Some Topics / Themes: Eucharist

Contact Person: Jill Slifkey

What: Catholic Vision of Love Retreats

How: Daylong retreats are offered for grades 6,7 & 8. These retreats include presentations on Catholic Vision of Love program content, combined with entertaining activities, discussions, skits, speakers, videos, lunch, confession and Mass. Parents are strongly encouraged to participate, joining in prayers, activities, discussions and reception of the Sacraments.

Contact Person: Mary Reichel

What: Self-guided Adventure tour of the church

How: Give each participant or family a guide to use in the tour. Make a diagram of the church indicating (by number) where each item is located. Write a description of each of the numbered items with the corresponding number. Use the diagram (map) to locate the site or article mentioned in the explanatory section. Walk from site to site, stopping to read the descriptions as you discover more about the place your family worships.

What: Annual Guided Church Tour

How: Individuals are stationed at various places around the church. As group or families approach, they explain the meaning of the various places in the church (e.g. sacristy, Mary’s Chapel, stained glass windows). Doughnuts and coffee are served following the tour.

What: All Saints’ Day Mass

How: At Sunday Mass close to All Saints’ Day, two or three people dress up as particular saints. They explain whom they are, tell about their lives and why the Church chose them to be saints. A social gathering follows Mass.

Contact person: Linda Donovan

What: Family Faith Formation Program.

How: This program is offered as an alternative to traditional weekly children's faith formation classes.  Participating families receive a Faith First textbook for each child.  Children are guided by their parents in completing one chapter per week and taking an online Chapter Review test.  Children who do not have computers complete the review test in the book and the parent calls periodically to report progress.  All children are also required to attend a monthly, 2-hour Family Program meeting with at least one parent.  Three possible meeting times are offered each month on Sunday mornings or Saturday evenings.  Families enjoy refreshments, a lectionary-based Scripture Prayer experience, and a game/craft activity together during the first hour.  During the second hour, children go to classroom breakout sessions by age group and parents enjoy an adult presentation.  Over 220 children and 130 families have chosen this option in 2004, (or about 18%).

What: G.A.P. (God’s Awesome People)

How: This is a parent-led ministry designed to increase the sense of community among children and parents. There is GAP Kids for children in grades K through 5 and G.A.P. Middle School for grades 6 through 8. Parents work together to plan produce, and supervise social activities. At the middle school level, educational "extensions" are also offered on several Sunday afternoons each year. Extensions combine prayer, service and leaning activities centered on a catechetical theme. Children are encouraged to bring their friends to G.A.P. activities.

Contact person: Mary Reichel

What: Family Catechesis Weekends

How: In order to have more time for catechist formation and get the families directly involved in family catechesis, on certain weekends of the year, the children do not come to class but the catechists meet. The topic of formation this year was Whole Parish Faith Formation. Families were asked to have a family catechesis weekend during which they go to church as a family, have a "family table" time of sharing a meal and each other and work on a Faith Formation project, which is sent home in advance. The initial project was a reflection on their family and the gifts that each member has to share. The second one was Halloween Weekend during which families were asked to write a Family Litany of Saints. The third was the Thanksgiving weekend inviting them to prepare for Advent by making an Advent wreath. The fourth weekend was the Christmas Holidays. The fifth weekend was just before Lent when they made a family plan of Lenten observance and the sixth weekend was Palm Sunday when they were invited to take part in the Holiest Week of the Year. It is hoped that this will make parents more aware of their need to be the first teachers of the faith for their children.

Contact person: Bernice Dumitru

What: Bible Buddies

How: Everyone in the parish is asked to read the Bible daily, the same chapter and the same verses on the same day. The chapter to read each day is posted in the bulletin and on the parish website and in the narthex along with a couple optional questions to help direct the reading. Parents and children are encouraged to do this Bible reading together each day. This was begun with a general session on "How to Read the Bible" by a well-qualified person.

Contact person: Sr. Zoe Ann Reiter, HM

What: Family Mass/Family Class

How: CCD families are invited to come to Mass then come together into their child’s CCD classroom for a family lesson. On these days, the catechist plans a lesson to last approximately

½ hour. These family class days are usually planned during the seasons of Advent, Lent and one other time during the CCD year. The children love having their family with them in the classroom and it is a good opportunity for the parents to learn along with their children.

Contact person: Carolyn Eisenbarth

What: Weekly email for youth

How: The weekly email for youth, grades 6-12 and their parents is sent out that encourages dialogue, shares web surfing resources, inspirational stories and opportunities to live out the Catholic faith as youth and as family.

Contact person: Ellen Cavanaugh

What: Blessing Cup

How: The Blessing Cup is at the weekend Masses.  The family that is to receive the Blessing Cup at that particular Mass and the family that is handing over the Blessing Cup process in at the beginning of Mass.  After communion before the dismissal, the pastor announces the family who is passing on the cup and the family receiving the cup.  A psalm refrain is sung as families exchange the cup.  During the week the families have a book with family prayers and activities for the week. The prayers emphasize the needs of families and all the needs of the Church, especially the need for vocations to the priesthood.

Contact person: Sr. Linda Soltis

What: Supplemental family program

How: The students have regular classroom instruction two weeks of every month, the parents 'home school' the children one week each month and three or four times each year family programs are conducted during the allotted class time. The family programs are instructional, but also include craft projects, videos, skits, guest speakers etc. The goal this year was to make the family programs educational and service oriented. They included craft projects for our parish shut-ins, placemats for meals on wheels, etc. Family programs are scheduled around major seasonal events.

What: Home schooling

How: For the home schooling program, parents do all of the instruction using the Resources for Christian Living "Family Guide." The religious education office provides each family with an instruction calendar. Every six weeks the parents must submit the completed chapter review sheets for each child. Parents are encouraged to use the parish video library and other resources and to use the RCL website for instruction assistance.

Contact person: Joanne Giovannini

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