Staff Contact:  Kathie Beuscher, Director of Child Ministry (262) 781-3480.

Don't miss "Rainforest Adventure" Vacation Bible School!

Rainforest Adventure Registration Form
Information Release Form

During the month of July, children in preschool through fourth grade are invited to participate in a week long Vacation Bible School. Using music, art, dance, games and other age appropriate activities, the children explore a variety of Scripture stories. Children who are in fifth grade and above are invited to participate as small group helpers.

	1st Eucharist Day of Reflection
	Priceless Bake Sale Participation in the yearly parish-wide Lenten outreach is an important component  of Children’s Ministry’s justice and service education. The children participate by sponsoring their award winning, Priceless Bake Sale. They also join with others parishioiners by filling Lenten almsgiving boxes. To encourage participation, grade levels often challenge each other with fun (no prizes!!) contests. Boxes are collected prior to Holy week and the contributions are counted by diligent little hands (and some big hands too). Proceeds from the bake sale totaled nearly $2,900.   Priceless Bake Sale Photo Gallery
	Children's Ministry Winter Sing

Children’s Ministry Opportunities for Sharing your Faith!  We are in need of help in the following ministries:

• Substitute catechists – on “as needed” basis.

• Additional help in the RISEN (Religious Instruction, Special Education Needs).

• Baptism couples.

• Advisory Team Members.

For information on these important ministry opportunities, please contact Kathie Beuscher at 262-781-3480, Ext. 251.

Mission Statement

The Children’s Ministry Program of St. Dominic Parish seeks to provide children (preschool - sixth grade) with the knowledge, experiences, and skills necessary to become faithful and fruitful disciples of Jesus. In keeping with their age, the children will assume responsibility as vital members of the parish and be able to participate in the essential mission, “To Seek Christ, Know Christ and Become Christ, each one for the sake of all.”

Kool Things 4 Kids

• Gospel Champions

   

  The Gospel Champions video game reinforces Gospel readings by recreating the same Gospel stories that children hear in Mass into fun action/adventure video games. Each month your kids play a Gospel story game that sequences with the Lectionary. As children play the games on their home PCs, they learn by seeing and hearing the story; and then by doing activities related to the story. This incredibly affordable series lets ALL your children play games on their home PC that reinforce the Gospel Readings and Catholic Faith.  Click the image below to access games.  There is a 9-digit access code required to download the game, this can be provided by Kathie Beuscher and will also be published in the bulletin.

  For a list of detailed Gospel Champion game and preview, click here..

   

• Kidsword
  KidsWord and Little KidsWord are weekly pamphlets available in the north and south narthexes of church. These pamphlets contain activities based on the Sunday Gospel. Many young children use these pamphlets during the Mass to help stay focused. Other families use the pamphlets as “take home” materials.

• www.bigidea.com - Makers of VeggieTales - purpose: to markedly enhance the moral and spiritual fabric of our society through creative media

• www.blestarewe.com - Religious education textbook site for day school and CF programs.

• www.alphabet-soup.net - Alphabet Soup contains thematic units, holiday units, games and activities for kids;  and crafts, humor and recipes for all! Be sure to check out the Kindergarten Kafe, recipes dictated by 5-year-olds! Includes plenty of free printables!

Parent Information

• Schedules

  • Children's Ministry Program

  • CLOW

  • 6th Grade Sundays

  • RISEN

  • Sept - Dec Nursery Schedule

• Baptism

• Reconciliation

• First Communion

• www.blestarewe.com - religious education textbook site for day school and Christian Formation.

• 2007-2008 Registration Forms

Catechist Connection

• www.blestarewe.com - religious education textbook site for day school and CF.

• www.FindingGod.org- Loyola Press resources website -Our response to God's gifts.

• www.cyberfaith.com - Catholic resources for people of faith.

• www.alphabet-soup.net - Alphabet Soup contains thematic units, holiday units, games and activities for kids; teacher and parent resources; and crafts, humor and recipes for all! Be sure to check out the Kindergarten Kafe, recipes dictated by 5-year-olds! Includes plenty of free printables!

• www.apples4theteacher.com - educational resources for teachers and kids (preK-grade 6) check out the great religious coloring pages!

• Job Descriptions

  • Catechist Job Description

  • Classroom Assistant Job Description

  • CLOW Leader Job Description

  • CLOW Assistant Job Description

Lifelong Faith Formation Programs

• Sunday School (Preschool - First Grade)

  • This program meets during the 9:00 a.m. mass. Classes begin in September and conclude in May.

  • The Sunday program uses art, music, Scripture stories, and a variety of other activities to enable little children to participate in the faith life of the community at their own level and ability.

  • To enroll in this program, a child must be at least three years of age by September 1st, 2007

  The following texts provide the basis for the curriculum:

  • Preschool ,Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten: Discovering God published by Sadlier.

  • First Grade: Blest Are We published by Silver Burdett Ginn Religion Division

• Tuesday and Thursday K - 6 Classes

  • Tuesday classes are held from 6:15 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

  • Thursday classes are held from 4:15 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

  • Classes begin in September and conclude in May.

  • These programs provide a basic, formal religious education that is intended to support the faith development of the child in the family. A wide variety of age-appropriate learning strategies are used.

  • The basal series, Blest Are We: published by Silver Burdett Ginn Religion Division, is the series used throughout this program.

  The basic theme for each grade is:

  • Kindergarten - God’s love for us and His goodness in the world around us.

  • 1st - God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.

  • 2nd - The sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation

  • 3rd - The Creed and The Church.

  • 4th - Morality, the 10 commandments and the sacrament of Reconciliation

  • 5th - An overview of the seven sacraments

  • 6th - Old Testament

  In addition, all levels will participate in service and prayer experiences.
   

• R.I.S.E.N. (Religious Instruction: Special Education Needs)

  RISEN is a collaborative effort among the neighboring Catholic parishes. This program is designed to meet the individual needs of people who are cognitively disabled. Groups are available for preschoolers through adults. Currently, St. Dominic parish hosts the Children’s and Youth Ministry components. The adult component meets at St. Luke parish.

  The program at St. Dominic meets on Sunday mornings during the 9:00 a.m. mass. Classes are held twice a month, September through May. Using curriculum selected with the input of a special needs professional, the classes help prepare children for fuller participation in the church. Children are prepared for the reception of Eucharist and Reconciliation whenever possible.

  This program is underwritten by the Knights of Columbus.
   

• C.L.O.W. (Children’s Liturgy of the Word)

  CLOW is an alternative worship experience for children in grades one through four. During most 9:00 a.m. masses, September through June, children are offered the opportunity to leave the worshipping community for simplified readings and reflections on those readings. Children return to the assembly at the presentation of the gifts.

  CLOW is open to any child who would benefit from this type of worship experience. There is no registration or fees necessary for participation. The only pre-requisite for CLOW is a willingness to behave in a manner appropriate for worship.
   

• Home Schooling

  While it is preferred that all children receive their formal catechesis within Children’s Ministry or day school classes, we recognize that there are circumstances where home schooling is preferred. To participate in home schooling, we require that following:

  • Initial meeting (August - September) with Director and parent(s). Child(ren) may be present when age appropriate. At this initial meeting: Dialogue about mutual responsibilities, including assessment and evaluation. Written agreement presented and signed by Director, parent(s) and child(ren). Fee paid.

  • Participation in two seasonal sessions and any other sessions required for specific grade level.

  • Evaluation meeting (May - June) with Director, parent(s), and child(ren). At this meeting Director will look at completed book(s), Director and family will discuss what they have learned during the year, and they will evaluate the process and make suggestions for the future.
     

• Children's Ministry Retreat Program (Currently Not Scheduled)

  Children’s Ministry is currently in the process of developing and implementing a yearly retreat experience for all children in grades one and beyond. Retreat experiences are currently offered on the second, fourth, and sixth grade levels. The second and fourth grade retreats are considered part of the preparation for sacraments. Sixth graders are offered evenings of reflection that deal with issues of importance to pre-teens.
   

• Vacation Bible School

  During the month of July, children in preschool through fourth grade are invited to participate in a week long Vacation Bible School. Using music, art, dance, games and other age appropriate activities, the children explore a variety of Scripture stories. Children who are in fifth grade and above are invited to participate as small group helpers.

  More Photo Highlights from Avalanche Ranch 2007