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.”