Office of Lifelong Faith Formation
Beginning Wednesday, September 1st, the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation is pleased to present LiFFe nights: a Faith Formation opportunity for the entire family!

More Info:
Campus Map
Adult Faith Formation Opportunities

Schedule:

5:00 - 6:00 PM	Dinner
6:00 - 6:15 PM	Clean-up
6:15 PM	Praise/Worship Music, Prayer
6:30 PM	Dismissal to Sessions
6:30 - 7:45 PM	Session Time
7:45 PM	Dismissal
8:00 PM	Rosary (for those interested)

The office of Religious Education in changing its name to the Office of Lifelong Faith Formation. This is being done to better reflect the current trends in the field and to be in compliance with the direction to which the United Stated Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling us.

What does this change reflect? The biggest change will be Wednesday night LiFFe (Life) Nights...Faith formation opportunities for all ages! PreK-8th graders will have their Religious Education classes as usual. High School students will have a Bible Study. WE are adding MANY opportunities for ADULTS on this nights as well...young adult ministry, women's ministry, Bible Study, Hispanic Ministry, and other faith forming opportunities will take place throughout the year. Babysitting will be available for children under 3.

Mark Wednesday nights on your calendar from Labor Day through May!

To Volunteer to assist on Wednesday evenings LiFFe Nights as a teacher, facilitator, assistant, food worker, babysitter, greeter, office assistant, or in any other way, please call the Office of Faith Formation at 644-0585

Breaking Open the Word
Through the inspiration of the Parish Staff Liturgy Committee we have added another program to our Wednesday LiFFe Nights: Breaking Open the Word for Sunday. We would like to extend to you, our Parish Lectors, an invitation to come and Break Open the Word, especially if you are assigned that week. Each Wednesday, led by a parish staff person, we look at the readings for the upcoming Sunday and discover what is being said as well as who is saying it and how it might affect me. LiFFe Nights begin at 5:30 pm with a dinner option followed by Praise and Worship Music with prayer beginning at 6:15pm and the sessions beginning at 6:30pm, the Breaking Open the Word for Sunday is being held in the Parish Hall.

Faith Formation (formerly Religious Education)
Faith Formation is provided for children in grades pre-K through 12th grade. Also, adults are provided an opportunity to participate in a catechetical program that follows the mandates set forth in the National Directory for Catechesis. Our vision is to continue to provide programs for all ages and to follow the guidelines set forth by the NDC.

"Like the diocese, every parish needs to develop a coherent catechetical plan that integrates the various components of the overall program and provides opportunity for all parishioners to hear the Gospel message, celebrate it in prayer and Liturgy, and live it in their daily lives" (NDC p 255 #60 A)

Besides opportunities for faith development, all of our Religious Education programs provide many Stewardship opportunities for Resurrection parishioners, as Catechists, classroom aides, facilitators, helpers, hall monitors, building coordinators and as financial sponsors. Call the Religious Education Office at 644-0585 to volunteer your time and talent and to participate.

Specific Programs of the Office of Faith Formation:

Baptismal Preparation
Once a month on a Monday Evening, usually two weeks prior to the 2nd Sunday of each month. Spanish Baptismal Preparation: 3rd Monday of every month 7PM to 9 PM in the Val Sheedy Center.

Sacramental Catechesis for 1st Reconciliation, 1st Communion and Confirmation
Several Monday's throughout the year according to the norms set forth in the National Directory for Catechesis. Those preparing for the sacrament and their parents are journeyed through preparation that leads to one of the sacraments mentioned above.

Altar Servers
The altar server program is coordinated out of the Religious Education Office. New servers, 4th grade and above, are trained in January of each year. For more inforamtion, contact Deacon Don Andrews.

Look for the new schedule in the Altar Servers room.

Breaking Open the Word for Children
Breaking Open the Word for Children is held at the 10:30am Mass. This is an opportunity for school age children up to and including 4th or 5th grade to be dismissed from the 10:30am Mass at the time of the Readings and to have the Readings presented to them and Broken Open for them on their level. The children return for the rest of Mass following the Prayers of the Faithful.

We are still seeking adults willing to be trained on how to Break Open the Word or to monitor the children as they process to and from the Parish Hall. Please contact Dan McGowan at dmcgowan@churchoftheres.net.

Religious Education Classes for grades PreK - 8th grade
Religious Education Classes will be held during out Faith Formation Wednesday night schedule. Classes will be offered in both English and Spanish (Spanish 1st and 2nd grade only). We will also offer a class for those students out of grade seeking Sacraments of Initiation.

Seedlings:
Did you know that when you welcome a child in the name of Jesus, you welcome Jesus himself? We are excited to announce that the office of Faith Formation will be adding a new ministry and welcoming all children of younger ages. We know that safe childcare is essential for family centered programs, therefore we will be providing a variety of new options. Children 2+ (toddlers) will be able to participate in a nursery, so that parents can grow in their own faith through Life Nights!

In addition, Pre-K 3 and 4 year olds will be in a new class this year, where they will hear bible stories, songs and create hands-on crafts that foster a love for Jesus.

Journey: For our Middle School students:
We have planned some exciting additions to our middle school program this year! Journey will be a place where teens can come together for weekly community building activities that will continue to develop their Catholic faith. We will learn in small groups and grow spiritually together in our prayer life as we experience opportunities of praise & worship and participate in prayer circles.

Once a month we will respond to the needs of others by discovering the call to justice and service! Service nights will be a great opportunity for students to learn more about what they can do to for others as a reflection of Christ.

We invite your middle school students to come journey with us to deepen their faith.

High School Religious Education and Youth Group:
Sunday evening during the school year. Our HS program is for 9th - 12th graders of Church of the Resurrection. Using the Teen Time Line we are discovering how the story of salvation is really our story. Many other HS activities are planned throughout the year including: Paint Your Heart Out Lakeland, Camping Trips, Diocesan Events, Catholic HEART Workcamp Mission Trip, and many other teen related activities.

Spanish Youth Group:
Spanish Youth Group will continue to meet each Wednesday Evening at the Youth House!

De Fide - Young Adult Ministry
De Fide ("Of the faith") is a ministry for anyone between the ages of 18-39, single or married, who want to strengthen their faith.

Bible Studies

Women of Worship
A ministry for women, about women, by women. Women of Worship is a ministry of women becoming alive in Christ through seeking God's word, sharing ourselves and serving others as we leave a legacy of God's faithfulness. We seek to enhance our faith through prayer, study and discussion on various spiritual topics during weekly meetings.

We meet Tuesday Mornings from 9am till 11am, and during Wednesday LiFFe Nights from 6:30 - 7:45 pm! Studies run from September - May.

Woman of Worship @ LiFfe Nights: A ministry for women, about women, by women. Each week is a self-contained lesson. The first week of the month is "What Catholics believe about..." The second week is a social activity. The third week is a bible study on Becoming a Praying Person, and the last week is a service night. Women are welcome to come occasionally or every week! Wednesday nights at 6:30pm in the School Library.

For more information, call Cathy Canto at 688-8442.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Do you know someone who might like to become Catholic? Are you interested in becoming Catholic? RCIA is an opportunity for those seeking full communion with the Catholic Church. Those baptized in other faith traditions and those unbaptized are welcome. Join us on Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Rez room of the Sheedy Center.

Becoming Catholic (RCIA) for Adults meets on most Tuesdays, at 7pm in the REZ room of the Fr. Sheedy Center. If you are interested in the Catholic Faith or know someone who is please call 644-0585.

Vacation Bible School:
Each summer for a week we celebrate the Catholic Christian Story with our children in PreSchool - 5th grade. VBS is also a time for many of our High School students to help as catechists and helpers earning service hours and being stewards of our parish.

CONTACT

	Dan McGowan Director of Religious Education Email: dmcgowan@churchoftheres.net Phone: 863-644-0585
	Maggie McGowan Director of Youth Ministry Email: mmcgowan@churchoftheres.net Phone: 863-644-0585