The first class is Sunday, September 11, 2011.   See the Christian Formation sublink 'Class Schedule 2011-2012' for the complete schedule.  Class dates are adjusted for holidays, typical vacation times, and other events, so please check the schedule to be sure you know when classes are being held for the remainder of the year.

GRADES 1-8:
Classes meet twice a month on Sunday mornings from September through May from 9:10am to 10:20am to allow attendance at Mass before or after class, with one evening class during Advent and Lent that includes a program for parents.  Textbooks will be handed out the first day of class.

The classes for grades 1 through 5 will be held in the school.  On the first day of class, please come to the main entrance of school where the class rosters and room numbers will be posted, and take your children directly to their classrooms.

The classes for grades 6 through 8 will be held in the CFC (brown brick building behind the school at the top of the drive).  On the first day of class, please come to the front entrance of that building.  The class rosters and rooms will be posted there, and your children are to go directly to their assigned room or area.

NOTE:  Please do not send any snacks with your children.  There will be no eating of food in any of the classrooms or teaching areas.  This is to help keep the rooms clean and to minimize exposure to food allergies.

For drop-off and pick-up of your children:  For those in the school, students should enter the building either through the main entrance (Appleton Avenue side).  For dismissal, students may exit the building through the main entrance or the side door by the fire escape.

Parents: For pick-up, please do not double-park in front of the school – other parishioners will be arriving for 10:30 Mass at that same time.  Parents of younger children:  For safety, please work out ahead of time with your kids whether you will come to their classroom for pick-up, you will wait by one of the school entrances, or if you want them to look for you in the parking lot.

For those in the CFC, please use only the drive up the hill between the church and CFC for pick-up and drop-off, exiting the premises down the back drive along the cemetery.  Students in the CFC who have younger siblings in the school classes are asked to walk down to school for pick-up.

Lesson follow-up:  As each chapter is completed in class, the pages will be removed, stapled together and sent home with your child on that day.  I encourage you as parents, the primary educators of your children in the Catholic faith, to spend a few minutes reviewing the chapter information, and to follow up with some questions or a short discussion with your children as to what they learned in class.

GRADES 9-11:
Classes meet twice a month on Sundays from September through early April.  Times and places will vary – either Sunday morning or evening, and either at the parish or at the home of the Catechist.  Your child’s Catechist will be contacting you before the start of classes to give you the specific time and place for your child’s class.

IMPORTANT:  For those students who have their textbooks from last year, please bring them to class!  For 9^th grade students and the 10^th and 11^th grade students who do not have their textbooks from last year, new books will be handed out at the first class.  NOTE:  Parents, you are highly encouraged to follow up with some questions or a short discussion with your children as to what they learned in each class.

Parental Responsibility and Involvement: (as taken from the 2011-2012 Parent/Student Handbook)

“As parents, you are the primary providers to your children, not only in meeting their physical and emotional needs, but also in nourishing their spiritual ones.  At their baptism, you promised to raise your children in the Catholic faith.  The Christian Formation program is designed to support, nurture and deepen the faith that you as parents are already teaching and modeling for your children at home.  We ask that you do not take this responsibility lightly, and to prayerfully reflect on how well you are living out these duties and making faith formation a priority in your family life.”

With encouragement and support, I also remind you of the pledge you signed with the registration form, asking you to do the following:

1. Parish Membership – I promise to maintain St. Anthony Parish membership and participate in Parish stewardship of time, talent and treasure.
2. Christian Home Environment – I pledge to give my child(ren) the best possible example in matters of faith and religious practice.  Such as…

Ø      Celebrating Sunday Liturgy, Sacraments

Ø      Expanding knowledge of Church and Scripture

Ø      Living virtuously and prayerfully

3. Volunteer Commitment – Because belonging to and helping in our faith community strengthens and provides rich blessings for all, especially for those who give of their time and talents, we as a family pledge our support by giving a minimum of (6) volunteer hours per year.
4. Meeting Financial Responsibilities – I pledge to pay tuition and other fees promptly and in accordance with the Payment Plan I selected on the Registration Form.  If for any reason, I am having difficulty meeting this obligation, I will contact the Christian Formation Office.

For those of you who are doing the above, I wholeheartedly thank you and encourage you to continue.  For those of you who are not, I ask you to thoughtfully and prayerfully review your priorities and responsibilities as parents.

If you have any questions or concerns about this year’s program, either now or throughout the school year, please contact me.

In Christ,

John Hying
Director of Faith Formation
262-251-5910, press 7, then 24