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cominghomeCC
Guest
We have a beautiful parish. A parishioner ages 12 and up can have a very rich life within the parish community. There is so much being offered. However, I have noticed one gap. If you are little, the only thing available to you is Sacrament preparation, and while everyone teaching is WONDERFUL, there is little time to build community in that. The grades 7 to 17, young adults, adults, women, men all have groups to explore., time to know their peers. The preschoolers don’t have a Sunday school, there is a children’s liturgy for grade 1-3, but that is 30 minutes. There is LifeTeen for the Jr/Sr high, but nothing for the lower grades. In asking around, I’ve been told, if I want something, start something.
And you know what??? I’d LOVE to. But I have no idea where to start. I don’t even know that I am the right person to do so. Yet, I am feeling called to do so.
I love our parish. It is the one and only place in years that I feel totally accepted for who I am, where I am right here right now, I have met so many wonderful people. They have given me so much in such a short time, I want to give back to the community, to the church. And where I excel, is with kids. So I can’t help but wonder if maybe it’s right.
Twice now since I started contemplating, the homily seems to be directed at me. one was people often feel they are unworthy to work for the church(that’s me!), but need to set that aside, and take that chance, the rewards are great! After praying for a way to know if this was the right path, it seemed to be a sign. The other was just this Sunday, take your walking staff and sandals and go(for it).
So I’m going to take a chance, I want to put together a proposal, and approach our head pastor(should that be the right person, our youth director said she was hired for teens and young adults) about starting a program. Something consistent for this year, but not hugely demanding on my time(yet), so not weekly, but once a month. 2-3 hours either a Friday evening, or a Saturday afternoon(this might be challenging with the hall being used for other things). To do a fun night with the elementary kids. I think that we are skipping over a group that if included now, it’s easier to get them involved as younger kids than has teens. I can see them becoming very enriched and valuable members as they get older. Less reluctant than the 15 yo who suddenly needs service hours, and has never been involved more than 1 hour a week.
I’d love some suggestions, feedback from those who have been active with children in the parish. What has worked? What hasn’t? And am I crazy?? LOL. But seriously, I’m very excited for this. The church has supplied curricula for the teens, and for vbs, so if there is a quality program out there for the younger kids that may be available, I’d love to look into that as well. But for 1x a month, I have no issue with assembling things myself, if I had the right ideas seeded in my brain.
This is very exciting, I just hope I can execute and share my excitement.
And you know what??? I’d LOVE to. But I have no idea where to start. I don’t even know that I am the right person to do so. Yet, I am feeling called to do so.
I love our parish. It is the one and only place in years that I feel totally accepted for who I am, where I am right here right now, I have met so many wonderful people. They have given me so much in such a short time, I want to give back to the community, to the church. And where I excel, is with kids. So I can’t help but wonder if maybe it’s right.
Twice now since I started contemplating, the homily seems to be directed at me. one was people often feel they are unworthy to work for the church(that’s me!), but need to set that aside, and take that chance, the rewards are great! After praying for a way to know if this was the right path, it seemed to be a sign. The other was just this Sunday, take your walking staff and sandals and go(for it).
So I’m going to take a chance, I want to put together a proposal, and approach our head pastor(should that be the right person, our youth director said she was hired for teens and young adults) about starting a program. Something consistent for this year, but not hugely demanding on my time(yet), so not weekly, but once a month. 2-3 hours either a Friday evening, or a Saturday afternoon(this might be challenging with the hall being used for other things). To do a fun night with the elementary kids. I think that we are skipping over a group that if included now, it’s easier to get them involved as younger kids than has teens. I can see them becoming very enriched and valuable members as they get older. Less reluctant than the 15 yo who suddenly needs service hours, and has never been involved more than 1 hour a week.
I’d love some suggestions, feedback from those who have been active with children in the parish. What has worked? What hasn’t? And am I crazy?? LOL. But seriously, I’m very excited for this. The church has supplied curricula for the teens, and for vbs, so if there is a quality program out there for the younger kids that may be available, I’d love to look into that as well. But for 1x a month, I have no issue with assembling things myself, if I had the right ideas seeded in my brain.
This is very exciting, I just hope I can execute and share my excitement.