Welcome to Year Eight of Generations of Faith!
It is important to note that as we completed our seventh year in May 2011 the feedback we have received on the new format has been very positive and we will continue with that format for the 2011/2012 academic year.
The changes to the format still require that we have plenty of volunteers, especially in the following areas:
- Set up on Friday’s of GOF week-ends. This can be done any time after 11 AM (and should be completed no later than 4 PM)
- Age group facilitators for PREK/K, Grades 1 & 2, Grades 3-5, and grades 6-8 for Friday and Sunday
- Home Kit assembly at 10:00 AM on the Fridays of GOF week-ends.
- Clean Up following both the Friday and Sunday sessions
Please see the volunteer opportunities listed on the back of the registration forms. Our curriculum design team depends upon volunteers to implement our programs. Please note the following:
- Since Friday evening registration for middle school is very small the age group breakout sessions on Fridays only will be: grades 1 & 2, grades 3 & 4 and grades 5 through 8.
- If there is not sufficient registration for PREK/K on Friday evenings that breakout group will be cancelled. (This will be determined by registrations on hand as of August 15, 2011)
- Confirmation I & II breakout sessions will continue to be offered ONLY on Sunday evenings.
See additional calendar information and forms below:
How is the curriculum for GOF decided on and implemented?
Completed registration forms should be returned with a check for the registration fee on or before July 16, 2010.
Registration fees for the year are as follows:
- Family $140 on or before July16, 2010 (includes Post-Confirmation)
- $155 after July16, 2010
- Single $75 (adults or Post- Confirmation)
- Seniors $50 (55 and over)
Please note that it is never our intention to create a financial hardship for any household. If the registration/meal fees are more than you are able to handle please speak to/write/email a member of the parish staff so that we can waive the fees for your household.
One component that seems to
us to be missing from GOF is our older parishioners. We
really want you to join us; we miss having you with us; you bring to
our gatherings a richness of Catholic history and tradition that
leaves a void when you are not present! There is so much that your
presence can offer the children and young families of our parish. We
have a wonderful adult break-out session on both Friday and Sunday
evenings, which allows adults who attend without children to share
faith and discuss important topics related to our Church. Please allow us to have someone drive you
to/from the sessions if you prefer not to drive in the evening. We
have volunteers who are more than willing to drive. Please write on your registration form if you would like to have
transportation provided.
For those parishioners who have children and young people who will be preparing to receive the sacraments of Penance, Eucharist, and Confirmation see the appropriate registration forms, calendars, and FAQ’s above. Children who register for First Penance/Eucharist preparation are at least in grade 2 and have completed one year of a parish religious education program or GOF. Young people registering for Confirmation I are at least in grade 9 and those who register for Confirmation II are at least in grade 10. Any high school student who has already been confirmed is welcome, invited, and encouraged to attend GOF and participate in the Post- Confirmation break out session.
We also want to say very clearly that GOF is but one component in a much larger faith formation experience at St. Isidore. Our most significant faith formation experience begins at Mass, around the table of the Lord every week-end and from there flows through our other faith formation opportunities:
- GOF Children’s Liturgy of the Word at 10:30 Mass
- our annual Vacation Bible School
- Sacramental Preparation for Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation
- our celebration of those sacraments within the community at Mass
- semi-annual Penance Services
- our weekly prayer intentions
- our Advent and Lenten program offerings and available reflection materials
- our annual prayer service for the protection of all life
- blessing of the throats
- holy days of obligation and more
AND:
It flows through our Sunday bulletin where you will find reflections on the Sunday readings, a page for families raising children in the faith, online resources and information on the liturgical seasons, as well as updates and parish news.
Lastly, but certainly NOT least it also flows through our opportunities for service and discipleship:
- our annual baby shower
- Thanksgiving and Easter food drives
- giving tree at Christmas
- Operation Rice Bowl
- the planting and maintenance of the St Isidore garden to benefit our local food pantry
- service to the Cor Unum meal center in Lawrence
- our donations to fund relief in Haiti and the Gulf Coast to name a few
I think we can agree that there is a wealth of faith formation opportunities for all ages at St. Isidore.
Please take time to look through the registration packet and register you and/or your family for our programs that require pre-registration.
One important note: it is very important that you RSVP for EACH session; we base our meal orders, materials, and supplies on those numbers. To help facilitate this process you will be able to RSVP in any one of three ways:
- on the parish website www.stisidorestow.org
- by telephone: 978-897-2710
- by filling out an RSVP card that will be on the tables in the main vestibule on the Sunday before each gathering session and dropping it in the collection basket.
Monthly reminders will be sent via email to all who register an email address with us in advance of each monthly session. Correct EMAIL addresses are very important in our GOF communications!
WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!! Those who have returned the evaluation forms
in the past have provided us with valuable input that helps us to
plan, change and grow. We invite & encourage you to complete
the survey and mail it to the Parish Office or drop
into the Sunday collection basket. All of these methods will allow you to submit your survey
anonymously. We have made many changes to the format of GOF in
the last 4 years based on your prior feedback; we continue to look
for ways to improve!
REMEMBER: ALL ARE WELCOME!
Generations of Faith is for EVERYONE: toddlers, retirees, families with children, empty nesters, Confirmation candidates, high schoolers, middle schoolers, singles, couples, new parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, godparents, interfaith families, newcomers, and visitors.
