For DREs: How to create a fun faith learning program outside of CE?

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Our pastor requested that we put together a fun, faith learning program for kids ages K-5 to attend about 6x p/year, that is distinct from and outside of the CE classes that kids have to attend. We started this last year with a few ladies brainstorming ideas on what we could present. Our pastor left it all in our hands. We have 90 mins to divide the kids up according to similar ages (ie grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5) and do rotating stations of a lesson, a craft and a game. It is held on a Sunday afternoon, when all the Masses are done, and we usually have on average about 20-30 kids.

Sample topics are and have been are Understanding the Mass, Saints, Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, Jesus’ miracles, How to pray and prayers, Bible verses to know.

Our problem is that we struggle every time we meet to come up with ideas and fun and engaging games/crafts with which to teach the kids. I know that there are many websites out there with Catholic craft ideas and games, and we have used many of them. That is NOT the problem and I don’t need links to those. I want to know if there are any similar styled Catholic (or Christian which we could adapt) programs out there that have a website or a program/book to follow and/or purchase, so that we are not making this up ourselves every time we get together? It just seems that we are reinventing the wheel each discussion time and it would seem like there should be other fun, Catholic programs already established which we could use.

Thanks for your ideas/help/direction.
 
So you do want something more “packaged” so you don’t have to piece together the crafts, etc.? Kind of like Vacation Bible School?
 
kerkvliet said:
Our pastor requested that we put together a fun, faith learning program for kids ages K-5 to attend about 6x p/year, that is distinct from and outside of the CE classes that kids have to attend. We started this last year with a few ladies brainstorming ideas on what we could present. Our pastor left it all in our hands. We have 90 mins to divide the kids up according to similar ages (ie grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5) and do rotating stations of a lesson, a craft and a game. It is held on a Sunday afternoon, when all the Masses are done, and we usually have on average about 20-30 kids.

Sample topics are and have been are Understanding the Mass, Saints, Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, Jesus’ miracles, How to pray and prayers, Bible verses to know.

Our problem is that we struggle every time we meet to come up with ideas and fun and engaging games/crafts with which to teach the kids. I know that there are many websites out there with Catholic craft ideas and games, and we have used many of them. That is NOT the problem and I don’t need links to those. I want to know if there are any similar styled Catholic (or Christian which we could adapt) programs out there that have a website or a program/book to follow and/or purchase, so that we are not making this up ourselves every time we get together? It just seems that we are reinventing the wheel each discussion time and it would seem like there should be other fun, Catholic programs already established which we could use.

Thanks for your ideas/help/direction.
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I would utilize the High School kids. Have them put together skits and plays illustrating your topic. We have started this with our LifeTeen kids, and they LOVE it. They make props, costumes, sets, they really get into it. We either give them the script, or approve it about a month in advance, and they meet on their own time at the church to put it all together. You can have a catechist that is not often in front of the kids pull it all together as a lesson. Have handouts ready, maybe a coloring sheet, and some interactive games, and you’ve got a cool little saints day out!

Have the parents handle the refreshments.
Make sure to use bubbles. You can’t go wrong with bubbles.
 
It sounds like VBS spread out over the year instead of one week in the summer.
 
1st stop is your regional DRE coordinator with your diocese. I know in my diocese the coordinator has a lot of material available for just such an occasion (sorry, happen to be very close friends with our regional coordinator).

Another program to look into is Family Faith Formation.
It’s actually intended to be a CCD/PRE replacement; however, for what you are doing, it might work well and it has a family component as well as the children’s side. Here’s a link to the Parish overview. familyformation.net/ForParishesOverview.asp Not exactly cheap… however, we’ve used this the past two years, and we have a very good participation from the families.
You can purchase the kits or the e-format and make your own.
 
We use the Little Flowers/Blue Knights program. The kids love it and it’s easy (and cheap).
 
What is the pastor’s goal? Are parents to be included?

If parents are going to drop off the kids and not be involved, what long term outcome is expected?
 
KCT said:
What is the pastor’s goal? Are parents to be included?

If parents are going to drop off the kids and not be involved, what long term outcome is expected?
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Agreed. Knowing the goal is key.

And a group of parents willing to take their kids to both weekly RE and a 90 minute program on Sunday afternoon, those are some motivated parents!!!
 
Parents drop their kids off. The pastor just wants to have a fun way for kids to learn about their faith, outside of CE/CCD.

We encourage the kids to go home and talk about what we’ve done with their parents and family and show/explain the crafts that they did but obviously we have no control what they do once they leave.
 
I don’t know of any program like that.

VBS and Little Flowers/Blue Knights or scouting would be the closest things.
 
As one person said, it is kind of like a 6x times a year VBS program, so it’s not designed to have parental participation or to have parent/family discussion time at home.

I will suggest to our DRE to ask around to other parish’s DREs for ideas and suggestions. I know our pastor wanted to start this because of at least one parent’s complaint that there wasn’t more of a fun way for the kids to learn about their faith, outside of our one week of VBS in the summer.
 
kerkvliet said:
As one person said, it is kind of like a 6x times a year VBS program, so it’s not designed to have parental participation or to have parent/family discussion time at home.

I will suggest to our DRE to ask around to other parish’s DREs for ideas and suggestions. I know our pastor wanted to start this because of at least one parent’s complaint that there wasn’t more of a fun way for the kids to learn about their faith, outside of our one week of VBS in the summer.
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I wonder why he thinks weekly Faith Formation is not fun?
Maybe the catechists need a boost! LOL
Also, when parents come to me with those kinds of complaints I always suggest that they are more than welcome to come n a do some fun projects with the kids. 😉
 
Funny that you should say that (pianistClare) because the woman who complained to the pastor is not one of the adult helpers, despite repeated requests to the parents for help in planning and execution. We have only 3-4 women who are trying to put this together every time.

And yes, what is wrong with the Faith Formation/CE that it is not considered fun? I don’t know, b/c I homeschool my children their CE.
 
Well, some parents think that Faith Formation is glorified games with a Bible school theme. They totally forget that we are helping children to form their conscience and build a relationship with Christ, taking into account that they need to understand the Mass and various liturgical events, not simply just show up.
Maybe you might be well served to have a Parent’s Day.
Do everything with the parents what the children do and teach them like you do the kids. We do that with our teen groups and you won’t believe how astounded the parents are…eventually even committing to be more involved.
Also, a couple of homilies on the subject of well formed children couldn’t hurt. 👍
Good luck!
PS: Our homeschooler s(and we have plenty) send their kids to Faith Formation anyway. We find that they bolster the class, and like meeting another peer group.
Much of what happens in the church is done in community…if one of the leaders doesn’t send their own children, I can see why the parents might get the idea that it’s a drag.
kerkvliet said:
Funny that you should say that (pianistClare) because the woman who complained to the pastor is not one of the adult helpers, despite repeated requests to the parents for help in planning and execution. We have only 3-4 women who are trying to put this together every time.

And yes, what is wrong with the Faith Formation/CE that it is not considered fun? I don’t know, b/c I homeschool my children their CE.
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kerkvliet said:
Funny that you should say that (pianistClare) because the woman who complained to the pastor is not one of the adult helpers, despite repeated requests to the parents for help in planning and execution. We have only 3-4 women who are trying to put this together every time.
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I think if there are folks who want fun things to do, these 3 or 4 women could be the ones to provide suggestions and support for parents to form their own little groups or clubs.

As long as parishes keep providing drop off activities, (most parents) parents won’t step up and do what they promised at baptism. I think our role is to remind them of what they promised and SHOW them how to do it.

The core team could model a group meeting/ activity once or twice, and the moms of the kids involved can take it from there. The core team would be available to offer suggestions, support etc.
 
to “pianistclare”— To clarify—I homeschool my children their CE but they do participate and assist in the program that I’m talking about (we call it Kidzone).

So thanks for everyone’s responses. I’ll pass some of this info on to our group.
 
kerkvliet said:
to “pianistclare”— To clarify—I homeschool my children their CE but they do participate and assist in the program that I’m talking about (we call it Kidzone).

So thanks for everyone’s responses. I’ll pass some of this info on to our group.
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excellent! I’m sure your children bolster the discussions.
We love it when the Catholic school kids and the homeschoolers participate. It tends to “up” the level of the classes. 👍
 
KCT said:
What is the pastor’s goal? Are parents to be included?

If parents are going to drop off the kids and not be involved, what long term outcome is expected?
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Unless parents are going to be willing to pay the price for top notch professionals and programs, the long term outcome will be free babysitting until the leaders and volunteers involved burn out.
 
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