ATTENDANCE/DROP-OFF &PICK-UP

The goal of the Faith Formation ministries it to provide a welcoming and nurturing experience for children and youth. Parents are asked to make every effort to assure that children/youth attend every session, arriving and leaving on time. If a participant is to be absent, parents are asked to notify the catechist/leader prior to the session. 

Preschool (Godly Play) through Grade 5 (Discover) Programs
All children in Preschool through 5th Grade MUST be escorted by a parent or legal guardian to their assigned room. Parents must check-in their child on the attendance roster. When the session is over, a parent or legal guardian must pick up the child from their assigned room. Older siblings who are authorized to pick up younger siblings must be grade 9 or older. Any parent wishing to authorize consent for an older sibling to pick-up their child must fill out an authorization card which will be kept on file with the catechist. If a child is absent more than two consecutive times, a staff member will call the parent to converse about the absences.

Middle School (PaxConnex)
Middle school youth will sign in at the beginning of the session, and catechists will take attendance at the small group portion of the sessions. It is recommended that parents and middle school youth determine a consistent spot where they will meet for pick up at the end of the session. Parents are not required to sign middle school youth out unless they need to leave before the end of the session. Middle School youth will be released within 5 minutes of the session end time. If a youth is absent more than two consecutive times, a staff member will call the parent to converse about the absences.

High School/Confirmation
Small group leaders will take attendance at the beginning of each session. Senior high youth are not required to be signed in or out by a parent. If a youth must arrive late or leave early, they or their parent/guardian should inform the catechist/leader in advance. If a youth is absent two times during a season (fall or spring), the catechist will call or email the parent to inquire about the absences. If a youth is absent more than two times, a staff member will call the parent to converse about the absences.

COVID-19 POLICIES

At this time, we do not require participants to be masked while attending a faith formation event. The faith formation staff, in collaboration with the Pastor and Parish Director, will continue to monitor the protocols advised by the Minnesota Department of Health and will continually reevaluate masking requirements in light of the current trends. Any changes to our masking policy will be clearly communicated to families.

Any youth or adult who would like to wear a mask while participating in a faith formation program is encouraged to do so. We will continue to provide disposable masks for anyone who desires to wear one.

In order to help keep the environment safe, we will provide our participants with individually wrapped snacks at every gathering. We ask that homemade treats not be brought in.

We will ask all families to communicate with us if they experience a positive test result in their family, and proper communication will be sent out (protection of family privacy will be maintained). The communications, following a template provided by the MDH, will consist of a “First Level” that will be sent to all families of a participant that had direct contact with the exposed participant, i.e. same classroom. A “second level” communication will be sent out to all families who had a participant onsite in the building on the same evening as the exposed participant, though they probably did not have direct contact with them.

Volunteers can, at any time, step away or ask not to participate if the situation/circumstances makes them feel unsafe. This may lead to us having to cancel a session and/or move to a different model of faith formation due to an insufficient number of shared ministers.

It is possible, at any time, that we may have to cancel an onsite session or move to an all-virtual format, either because of the previous example or, because of MDH guidelines. The Flocknote system will be used to communicate this in a timely manner.

CONDUCT

All children are expected to be respectful of themselves, their peers, catechists, and facilities. Offenses that could result in being asked to leave the program include, but are not limited to:

• Assaulting another person (verbal, physical, or otherwise)
• Possession, use, or distribution of cigarettes, e-cigarettes/vapes, drugs, alcohol, or weapons
• Possession or circulation of obscene or pornographic materials
• Theft
• Intentional mischief or defacing of the premises
• Inappropriate language

If a child is disruptive to the group, the child will be redirected and, if necessary, given a warning. If the situation continues, the catechist will consult with the coordinator of faith formation program. If the circumstances persist, the parent’s help and cooperation will be sought. In summary:

First: Warning to the child from the Catechist

Second: Private talk with the Faith Formation Staff Member

Third: Parents’ help and cooperation sought. This may necessitate a phone call home for the child/youth to be picked up by the parent. The program coordinator is allowed to arrange a meeting with parents and catechist(s) before the child/youth is allowed to return.

WEATHER CANCELLATION

For weekday sessions: If Eden Prairie School District 272 cancels school and/or evening activities due to weather or other circumstances, our programs will also be canceled.

For weekend sessions: The Pax Christi Faith Formation staff will determine cancellations based on weather or other circumstances.

Families will be notified of cancellations via Flocknote (text and email) by 2:30 pm on the day of scheduled programming. Weather cancellation notices will also be posted on the homepage of the Pax Christi website.

SNACKS

Individually wrapped snacks and water will be provided for the participants at every session. At this time, we will not allow for homemade snacks to be brought in, though this policy will be reviewed regularly to coincide with best safety practices during the pandemic. Participants can bring a personal water bottle to the sessions if they so choose.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION POLICIES

The sacramental preparation process is part of our faith formation programs. This includes the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Registration for our programs occurs in the late summer through fall and can be found at that time on our web page.

Please contact the program ministers with questions.

Preparation for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist typically takes place in 2nd grade. Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation lasts one year and is open to youth in grades 10-12. In order for your child to participate in the sacrament preparation process for First Reconciliation/First Eucharist/Confirmation, they either need to be registered and regularly attending one of our Faith Formation programs the entire year of the sacrament or attending a Catholic school.

FAITH FORMATION PROGRAM POLICY REGARDING PARTICIPATION BY NON-PARISH MEMBERS

The faith formation programs embrace the parish’s belief that “All are Welcome” and invite those who are not formally members of Pax Christi to register for, and participate in, our various programs and opportunities. The standard program fees and policies apply to all who participate in our program, regardless of parish membership status.

However, we do require that an individual preparing for a sacrament is a registered member of Pax Christi Catholic Community prior to the reception of the sacrament. This includes Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. This policy has been established because the community is a primary symbol in all Sacramental celebrations in the Catholic Church and, as we are reminded by the words from the Parish Sending Ceremony for Confirmation, “this sacrament connects them more closely with our own parish.”