THE CHILDREN ’S MINISTRY: Forming Our Young Catholics and Building Our Community of Faith

If you’re looking for ways to help your littlest Catholics engage with their faith, look no further! St. Jude’s Children’s Ministry offers a variety of programs to assist parents and to bring the faith alive to children at their level. Christie Denzer, Coordinator of Family Ministry, is excited to be building these programs back up after a long hiatus.

“We offer programs specifically for these young kids,” Christie says. “It’s a special place for them where they are welcome. They get to move around and touch things while they’re learning about their Catholic faith.”

These programs have been around for a long time but initially had to take a break for the construction around the campus. Once the construction was finished, they started back up, but soon everything was paused again with the onset of COVID-19. In October, the programs kicked off, now in the new Family Ministry wing. Christie is building up her network of adult and youth volunteers who make the programs successful.

During the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass, Nursery is offered for children up to about 2 years old. No sign-up is needed, parents can drop their children off at the Nursery before Mass and pick them up after.

“This way, parents can simply be present at Mass and not be chasing a toddler around,” Christie says.

For children ages 3 through 6, we offer Cherub Church that runs, as does the Nursery, through all of Mass. The lessons offered in Cherub Church were developed by a parishioner who works as a preschool teacher. The children start with a prayer and a Bible story, sing songs, play a game or hear another story, and do an art project. The lessons all tie into the liturgical year. No sign-up is needed for this program either.

Children ages 5 through 9 are invited to Children’s Liturgy of the Word. At the beginning of Mass, the catechists gather the children and, in another room, give a lesson on Scripture that is at a level the children can understand and relate to their own lives.

“These kids are full of life, energy, and fun, and they’re inquisitive,” Christie says. “Everyone who has attended so far has been happy and excited.”

Each of these programs is run by adult volunteers who are assisted by youth volunteers. The programs run during the school year and take breaks for holiday weekends.

Of course, faith formation starts early — with Baptism. Families that would like their child baptized should be registered parishioners and take a one-time Baptism preparation class with the deacon. This class is offered every couple months on Sunday morning before the 10 a.m. Mass. Baptisms are held on the first and third Sundays of the month. Please contact Christie to sign up.

What makes the Children’s Ministry so vibrant is the dedicated volunteers. Volunteers usually take on about one Sunday each month and more volunteers are always welcome.

“It builds up the community within our church,” Christie says. “It gives the youth a chance to do service. It keeps our families engaged and coming to Mass, and it allows them to be focused and present at Mass.”

If you would like more information about the Children’s Ministry or to volunteer, please contact Christie Denzer at 317-786-4371 or familyministry@stjudeindy.org.

Cherub Church

Cherub Church

Cherub Church