-
Links
-
Faith Formation ClassesRecognizing that parents are the first and best educators of their children in matters of faith, OLOS works in partnership with families to form the faith of our young parishioners. Our Pre-K through Grade 5 program is meant to strengthen and build upon the faith formation that occurs within families.
Because of the current public health situation, the Archdiocese of Boston recently recommended that all parishes postpone in-person faith formation programs at this time. After taking into account the Archdiocese's recommendation, COVID infection rates in our community, and projected trends over the fall months, Fr. Daly and the staff of Our Lady of Sorrows have decided that all faith formation programming at OLOS will take place online until January 2022. The public health situation permitting, we will return to in-person classes at the Cottage Street Elementary School after January 1, 2022. In conducting our program, we will comply with public health precautions recommended by the Center for Disease Control and by the Archdiocese of Boston, including (but not limited to) the wearing of face-masks during all in-person classes and activities.- The PreK through Grade 5 program will consist of
- Two to three class sessions per month, with students grouped into three levels of mixed grade classes (PreK-1, 2nd grade, and 3rd-5th grade); and
- Additional program components (including two-hour mini-retreats in January and March) for second graders preparing to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. At least one parent must attend class meetings with their second grader while we are online, and at least one parent must accompany their second grader to the mini-retreats.
The guiding theme for grades PreK-1 and 3-5 is "Heroes of the Bible." We will read stories from the Bible that will help us learn about how God speaks to us, guides us and inspires us. Students in Grades 3-5 will need to bring their own Bible to class sessions. We recommend this Bible, which is traditionally given to second graders at OLOS upon their First Communion. If your child needs a Bible, please contact Monica LaFond (mlafond@olossharon.org, 781-784-2265).
Grade 2 sessions will focus on preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist using the Blest Are We curriculum by publisher RCL Benziger. All sessions are taught by teams of trained and dedicated catechists.
Please note that students must be 4 years old by September 1 to register for the PreK class.
Classes take place from 9:45-10:45 am on Sunday mornings. Classes are scheduled between the 8:45 am and 11 am Sunday morning Masses so that children and their families can attend Mass when it is offered in person, if the family determines it is safe for them to do so. In forming our children in the faith, it is essential that they experience weekly Mass. The transforming power of the Eucharist, where Christ is truly present, cannot be taught in any classroom but must be experienced by each individual as they grow in faith. During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, your family is encouraged to view the Mass on television or through the OLOS website if in-person Mass is not being offered or if you determine that attending Mass in person is not safe for your family. Please click here for a link to the most recently recorded OLOS Mass.
Volunteers are always needed! If you are available to serve as a catechist or assistant catechist, please contact Monica LaFond.Click here to register!
Questions or concerns can be directed to Monica LaFond at 781-784-2265. -
Calendar for the 2021-22 PreK-Grade Program YearThe program year will run from October through May with classes on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45 am.
Orientation Materials for families with students in grades PreK-5: Orientation materials will be emailed to all registered PreK-5 families during the week of September 19.
Class Schedule : Classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45 am. Until January 1, 2022, all classes will take place on online via Zoom. Zoom information will be provided to registered families. If the public health situation permits, we will return to in-person classes after January 1, 2022 in the Cottage Street Elementary School. For in-person classes at the Cottage Street School, children should be dropped off in the cafeteria and picked up from their classrooms.Class Dates for the 2021-22 Faith Formation Year- Sunday, October 3
- Sunday, October 17 - Safety Sunday for children in grades K-5; No class for children in PreKindergarten
- Sunday, October 24
- Sunday, November 7
- Sunday, November 14
- Sunday, December 5
- Sunday, December 12
- Sunday, December 19 - Second grade only
- Sunday, January 9
- Sunday, January 23
- Sunday, January 30 - Second grade only
- Sunday, February 6
- Sunday, February 13
- Sunday, February 27 - No class at the regular time. Church tours for all grades PreK-5 in the afternoon at times to be determined.
- Sunday, March 6
- Sunday, March 13
- Sunday, April 3
- Sunday, April 10
- Sunday, April 24
- Sunday, May 1
Additional programming for second grade only:- Saturday, January 8 - First Reconciliation Mini-Retreat, 2-4 pm in O’Connell Hall (child and at least one parent must attend)
- Saturday, January 22 - First Reconciliation Mini-Retreat Snow Day
- Saturday, January 29 - First Reconciliation Service, 1:30 pm in the Church
- Sunday, February 6 - First Eucharist Parent Meeting, 9:45-10:45 am in the CSS cafeteria
- Saturday, March 26 - First Eucharist Mini-Retreat, 2-4 pm in O’Connell Hall (child and at least one parent must attend)
- Tuesday, May 3 - First Eucharist Rehearsals, 6:30-8 pm in the Church
- Weekends of May 7-8 and May 15-16 - First Communions (exact times to be determined)
-
Safe Environment Program for Children
As the Office of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Sorrows continues to serve your family’s faith formation needs, one of our goals is to ensure the safety of all in the parish. In order to do this, we facilitate a personal safety and abuse prevention program for students in first through fifth grade sponsored by the Archdiocesan Offices of Child Advocacy, Implementation and Oversight. The date of this year's Safety Sunday program is Sunday, October 17, 2021.
Please note that PreK students do not participate in this program.
The “Stay Safe” curriculum for first through fifth grade, developed by the Archdiocese of Boston, covers topics including:
-
Nurturing children’s self-esteem
-
Building children’s confidence
-
Enabling children to be assertive
-
Helping children to identify and express their feelings
-
Helping children to distinguish between safe and unsafe situations and telling a parent or trusted adult about them
Children and young people are more likely to follow safety guidelines when they have multiple opportunities to practice and talk about safety with their parents and family. Please take time to discuss safety at home as well, such as what you do in your family to “stay safe.”
As a parent, you have the choice to opt your child out of the safety program. Please email Monica LaFond if you choose not to have your child attend the class.
-
-
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Preparation for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist typically takes place during a child's second grade year. Students should enroll in the PreK-Grade 5 Faith Formation program where they will work with at least one parent and their catechists during their class sessions to prepare for each sacrament.
Click here to learn more about First Reconciliation and First Eucharist at Our Lady of Sorrows.
Parents of children who are older than second grade and who have not yet received this sacrament but would like to should contact Monica LaFond for details on how to complete their preparation. Other questions about the program should be directed to Monica LaFond as well.