OUR PRE-SACRAMENTAL CATECHESIS PROGRAM
Creating Strong Faith Foundations for Children and Families
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o matter your age, there’s al“The Sadlier program is excelways something new to learn lent, and has context for children about our faith! It’s never too and young people’s education in early or too late to start buildthe faith,” Sr. Sabina says. “The ing a strong faith foundation so topics are divided into five chapthat our children can underters — the first four refer to the stand what it means to be CathCatechism of the Catholic Church olic. Through the parish’s pre(the Creed, Sacraments, Comsacramental catechesis program, mandments, and prayer), and the those receiving the sacraments fifth has catechesis according to learn how to follow Jesus, and the feasts of the liturgical year. inspire their families to embrace “Catechesis is like a seedbed the faith. for the ministries and servants “Education in the faith is of the parish,” she adds. “It is essential for children, young where families get to know Christ people, and parents because it and are motivated and invited by means that human, Christian, Him to continue giving testimoOur program uses the bilingual Christ moral and evangelical values are ny. For example, some parents In Us curriculum from Sadlier. This sown in each one of them,” says have received the Sacrament of is important for the parish’s large Sister Sabina Chimal Itza. “This Matrimony and are now part of Hispanic community. leads to growth in their faith and the catechesis program.” in their spiritual lives. Sr. Sabina has enjoyed watching the chil“This year, we began catechesis at the parish dren, catechists and parents interact together the second week of September 2021, and God through the program, and has truly seen how willing, will end with the children and young growing closer to the Lord can make a difference people receiving the sacraments this month,” she in each person’s life. adds. “Children, catechists, parents, and espe“It is noticeable in the change in the lives of cially the entire parish community are involved families, in their desire to embrace the faith,” in catechesis through their constant prayer, so she says. “Some children and young people have that education in the faith is a success.” shared with us how they feel invited to follow The catechesis program uses the bilingual Jesus, and how they have been discovering Him Christ In Us curriculum from Sadlier. This is and feel loved by Him. The valuable availability important for the parish’s large Hispanic com- and collaboration of each one of the catechists munity, of whom the children speak both lan- have been vital for each person being catechized guages, but some parents only speak Spanish. during the course.”
Catechesis takes place at St. Joseph School on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more information, please call the parish at 813-877-5729 or visit the parish website at www.stjosephchurchtampa.org.
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