Volunteer Requirements...
From the drop down menu, choose Boston, MA (Archdiocese) and ENTER. Scroll through the offerings until you find one that fits your schedule.
Inclement Weather Policy...
The announcement of canceled classes due to inclement weather will be announced through the parish office automated phone voice mail system call (978) 256-2374 or (978) 251-8571, option (6), the collaborative website and Flocknote email notification* as well as being broadcasted on the following weather channels:
Channel 4/WBZ
Channel 5/WCVB
Channel 7/WHDH
The decision to cancel classes will be made Saturday evening or Sunday by 6:30 am. In the case of mid-afternoon storm, thebdecision will be made by 1:00 pm.
As the weather in New England can be somewhat unpredictable, please know that we respect and expect parents to use their own prudential judgment in regard to the safety of transporting their family members during periods of inclement weather.
* To sign up for Flocknote, please see below. Enter email address OR mobile phone, OR both. The fields you complete will determine the method in which you
will receive Flocknote notifications.
Introducing our Faith Formation Staff
(978) 251-8571/ 256-2374
Heather Hannaway, Director of Faith Formation, ext 226
Courtney Callanan, MA, Asst Dir of Faith Formation & Youth Minister, ext 227
Elaine Kindler, Faith Formation Coordinator, ext 216
Lynn Anne LaDuke, Faith Formation Coordinator, ext 240
We recognize parents as the first and foremost educators of their children and the first to communicate the faith to their children. Our program has the fundamental task of complementing, reinforcing, and extending the family’s efforts, and uniting the heart of the Church with the heart of the home.
Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child's earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis preceeds, accompanies and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families;it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents." -CCC #2226
The objective of catechesis today is a developmental and formational experience that leads to transformation. More emphasis should be placed on process rather than program, as catechesis is truly an ongoing, lifelong journey. Our Faith Formation program seeks to reflect this transformational experience by providing opportunities for families, adults and children alike, while deepening their understanding of their Catholic faith. Our belief is that adults should feel empowered to effectively live a life of faith that is passed to and shared with their children through action in our parish, and in the world around them, as the Body of Christ. Children, in turn, emulate the faith their family shares and are equipped as they grown to live their faith in the world.
A comprehensive faith formation program includes both systematic catechesis and sacramental preparation. Together, these two religious education components make for Total Catechesis. Our classes offer systematic catechesis for Grade 1 through high school youth as well as sacramental preparation for Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation. Classes cover basic doctrine, prayer, Christian morality, liturgy and Sacraments at an age-appropriate level.
The goal of catechesis is “to make disciples, to help men believe that Jesus is the
Son of God so that believing they might have life in his name, and to educate and
instruct them in this life, thus building up the body of Christ.” -CCC 4
We are Always Looking for Volunteers...
The benefit that your child receives in Faith Formation classes depends solely on the generosity of our volunteers. What better way is there to deepen your own faith than by handing it on to the next generation? We cannot run our program without the generosity of our volunteers, many of whom are parents. With nearly 800 students in our program, we require the time and talent of many parents to make your child’s experience the best that it can be!
Intent to Teach: If you are interested in teaching at any level in our program, please complete the Intent to Teach Form.
Protecting God's Children: A prevention and awareness training at the parish level for adults - called "Protecting God's Children", and administered by the Catholic Risk Retention Group under an umbrella called VIRTUS - consists of workshop presentations, printed materials and videotapes that will focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children. The program is designed particularly for those adults who have custodial care of children as part of their duties. Training in the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused in some way, and how to talk with children about these issues will also be included, as will training in the responsibilities of mandated reporting and the archdiocese's policies and procedures for preventing child abuse. An on-line component called "VIRTUS On-Line" will provide continued training through monthly bulletins and annual recertification. For more information about VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children."
All employees and volunteers, aged 18 years and older, who work with children, youth, or the elderly in the Archdiocese of Boston are required to participate in the Virtus, Protecting God’s Children program. This program consists of a classroom presentation that includes videos, printed materials, and access to continuing formation that focus on creating safe environments for children and preventing child abuse, more specifically, preventing child sexual abuse. This one-time workshop aims to educate parish adults in recognizing the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused or exploited in some way, offer protective practices with a specific plan to prevent child sexual abuse, and instruct on reporting incidents of abuse. As workshops are made available in either of our parishes, we will publish such information in our bulletin and here, on our website. If you attend a workshop elsewhere, you will be required to submit a copy of your Certificate of Completion to us.
Annual CORI Background Check: In addition to be CAP/PCG certified, all volunteers much also submit a CORI background check. While the CAP/PCG certification is completed once, the CORI check must be submitted annually. You can download, print and complete the form ahead of time, but PLEASE DO NOT SIGN, AS YOUR SIGNATURE REQUIRES THE PRESENCE OF A PARISH STAFF MEMBER TO SERVE AS YOUR WITNESS. Bring your complete form to the parish offices during regular business hours. DON’T FORGET TO BRING YOUR PHOTO ID!