Religious Education

 

 

This page and its contents are copyright © 2012 by
St. John Chrysostom Church, Newmarket, Ontario.
All rights reserved.
 


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  Religious Education and Children with Special Needs

At St. John's we are committed to providing quality programming for all our parishioners no matter what their needs. Providing sacramental preparation for children with special needs is something we are committed to doing. If you have a child with special needs please be sure to speak to Christine so she can be sure that your child's needs are met.

For those of you who are involved in catechetical ministry and who wish to learn more about preparing your classes so that they meet the needs of all children, you may find the following resources helpful:

Catechesis for Children with Special Needs - Helpful Resources for Catechists (PDF Document)

What Would You Have Me Do For You?- Strategies for Special Needs Catechesis (PDF Document) link corrected to actual document June 10, 2010

Co-operative Learning Strategies (Word Document)
 
   


 
   
Sunday School

For those not in Catholic elementary schools, the parish offers a religious education programme on Sunday mornings from October 14, 2012 to April 7, from 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM. This is a co-op programme in which parents of children act as catechists. They are trained and supported by the parish catechist. Classes are offered for children in grades one through eight and consists of 20 - 24 classes depending on the liturgical year. We follow the Born of the Spirit catechetical programme designed by the Canadian bishops. (This is the same programme that is used in the Catholic schools.) Families in the programme also gather together in Advent for a family mass and end the year with a pot-luck breakfast.
 

 

 

 

 

Sunday School Schedule 2012-13 as a PDF file

Sunday School Schedule
Sept. 30, 2012

 

Registration Form as a PDF file

 Sunday School Registration Form
 

 

 

this section was updated September 17, 2011


Sunday School classes for Children in Public School begin on:

Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 11:15 am in the parish centre

the PDF schedule & registration form are on the right 4

Please register by using the PDF form on the right. Or contact Christine Way Skinner by email or telephone. For registrations after our start date, please contact Christine directly.

 

 
 

 

     
Parish Mission

Every second year, during the Lenten season, we invite a speaker to come to the parish and lead us in a parish mission. This provides us with an opportunity to take some “time out” and reflect on who we are called to be as Christians. In the past, speakers such as Father Eugene O’Reilly, CSSR, and Fr. Jim Casper SCJ, have been very popular and we will continue to bring in people who will inspire us and challenge us to grow in faith.

In 2012, St. John's hosted the nationally televised mission "Tree Haunting Questions" presented by the National Catholic Broadcasting Council.
 
Three speakers talked about "Why does God allows good people to suffer?” “What was unique about how Jesus treated women?” and “What did Jesus mean by Justice?”. It was a great success. 


 

 

 

 

   

 

 
 
     

Parish Library and Book Sale

As a way to provide parishioners with the best in recent Catholic books, we have established a small parish library in the Stained Glass Room at the back of the church. Books and videos for children and adults are available for short term loan.

Each Advent and Lent, we also hold a book sale to provide people with good reading material through which they may deepen their spirituality and knowledge of their faith. More books and videos are available in the Catechetical Room in the parish centre. Donations of new or used books are always welcomed but must be cleared through the office.

 


 

the library in the Catechetical Room (parish centre)

 

 

Tea & Theology

This informal group meets Mondays at 1 pm in the parish centre. We share a cup of tea and discuss various topics relating to our faith. Usually we choose a book to read which provides us with some material for discussion. The group is intentionally kept small to facilitate good discussion so there is a size limit.

 


 

   
Vacation Bible School

For one week in the summer, St. John’s parish centre, church and parking lot is transformed into a Vacation Bible School. It is open to children from Senior Kindergarten to Grade Six. Older children are always welcome as Junior Staff. The "school" runs in the morning for one week in July and includes catechism, crafts, music, games and snacks. On the last day, we celebrate a liturgy together and provide an informal concert for parents. It is a very enjoyable and faith-filled time for everyone involved. Registration forms are sent home with school children in late May and are also available in the parish office.


 

 

Vacation Bible School Main Page