Catholic Community of St. Jude at 409 Wilson St., DeWitt, MI 48820 US - Mentor Groups
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Mentor Groups
Sue Parker: Coordinator of Youth and Family Ministry Ph. (517) 669-8341 ext. 20 Email: youth.stjude@comcast.net |
All 5th and 6th Graders!
Get Ready for our next Large Group,
Sunday, February 21, 4:15-5:45 PM
Come ready to learn about the Anointing of the Sick and how we, the Church, care and support the sick and their families!
7th and 8th Graders!
Mark Your Calendar NOW to attend the Diocesan Junior High Youth Rally,
Christ In All!
March 13th, 2010 • 2pm - 9pm
See your mentor for Registration Materials or pick a copy up at the Religious Formation Display in the Gathering Space.
Fifth and Sixth grade students participate in our Intermediate Mentoring Program: Studentsgather in small groups with two adults, (mentors), on a weekly basis to reflect on the Sunday readings. Mentors use “Celebrating the Lectionary” as the primary resource for this scripture study that usually takes place in the home of the mentor, but may be held in the Community Center. These weekly meetings provide the foundation of the mentoring experience during weekly gatherings.
- Members of the mentor group also use their time together to reinforce the message of Christian discipleship presented in scripture by participating in community service.
- Some groups may schedule one session a month for their service activity, and some groups may choose the seasons of Advent, Lent or other special times, for these service experiences.
- The third element of the Mentoring Program is the Large Group Event. Five to six times during the year, all 5th and 6th graders meet with their mentor groups at the Community Center for special sessions to learn more about the Sacraments we celebrate as a Catholics.
- Each group participates in a variety of activities and prayer experiences designed to help them better understand and appreciate the place of Sacraments in the life of the Church.
Parents/youth may indicate the day and time they prefer to meet on the registration form.
Seventh and Eighth Grade students meet in Mentor Groups: Several years ago we initiated a new approach to Religious Formation for our middle school youth. Based on the responses from the youth, their parents and the adults who served as mentors we hope to continue the mentoring approach and improve the process with some changes. Adult mentors work with small groups of 4 to 5 youth on an informal basis. We are striving to have 2 adults with each group this year. The mentor groups meet together approximately every six weeks during the school year to receive information for their informal meetings and to work on special projects together. This year we will ask each group to work on one Odyssey of the Soul project to be presented to the parish at the end of the school year. We have added a one day retreat during January as a way to help the youth be more focused in their study .
Ministries of the Eucharist Junior High Mentor Groups
Through their mentor group each 7th and 8th grade youth will be trained in the various ministries for the Eucharist. These will include: greeter, usher, gift bearer, lector, Eucharistic minister and Mass Coordinator (for those who are confirmed). Mentor groups will be assigned to Sunday 6:00 PM Mass on a rotating basis from October through May.
Each youth in the mentor program receives a set of materials that they use in working with their small group. The meetings with mentors include: time for prayer, work on their Odyssey of the Soul projects, service activities and social events. On the registration form there is a place for parents and youth to indicate the day and time they would prefer to meet.
This year each mentor will sign a covenant agreement with each youth in their group. The parents of each youth will also sign the covenant agreement. There will be a meeting for parents and mentors in September to explain the covenant form and how we will use it.
Parents/youth may indicate the day and time they prefer to meet on the registration form.