FAITH FORMATION
Faith Formation

The church has a a plan for our salvation!  We are called to be lifelong learners.  Therefore regular attendance at Sunday Mass is the primary way we experience the mysteries of our faith. In addition to Sunday Eucharist, Religious Education and Faith or Spiritual formation helps us to dive more deeply into the meaning and practice of our faith.

From Families in Faith (our multigenerational PSR) to CAFE (Catholic Adult Faith Education), Vacation Bible School, and RCIA, we offer formation opportunities for every step of the faith journey!

Here are some helpful resources:

Click here for Family Prayers when Gathering for Mass is not Possible.

Click here to access Daily Mass Readings.
Families In Faith (PSR)

Families in Faith is a multigenerational family Parish School of Religion program that is for everyone!  All are welcome as sisters and brothers in Christ. 

Although the Coronavirus pandemic presented challenges, it has also given us the opportunity to expand our PSR to a hybrid format. Using Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, PSR curriculum is centered on the Sunday liturgy in a way that is engaging, easy to teach, and involves the family.

In-person classes for children from Kindergarten through Grade 8  held from 9:15 - 10:45am two Sundays per month. All students will receive both hard copy and digital access to Gospel Weeklies, along with emailed support to families. Families can choose to complete these readings and activities at home in an "asynchronous" format OR students can report to in-person classes on the second and third Sunday of each month (see calendar for dates of in-person sessions).

For more information about our PSR program, please contact our Parish Office: (440) 943-2133.

Click here to register for St. Mary Magdalene's 2021-2022 PSR program.

Click here for the 2021-2022 PSR Calendar.

RCIA

It's about changing lives for Christ!

TO BE A CATHOLIC MEANS:

  • To live a life centered on Jesus Christ and His saving action.
  • To take part in and live out the Sacraments given to us by Christ, that offer us strength. 
  • To be enriched by the word of God.
  • To be provided with models and heroes. (The Saints)
  • To take part in and practice personal and communal prayer.
  • To be part of a rich tradition of caring for others, building a better life, and sense of belonging.
  • To have meaning and freedom in our lives.

We will begin the process of initiating adults into the Catholic faith very soon.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults consciously and freely seek the living God in their lives and are initiated into his Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist.  It is a walk with Christ and with other adults where the basics of our faith are shared and conversion is celebrated.  

Now is the time to take the opportunity to be initiated. We can tailor-make a program to fit your life schedule.

Please share this with adult friends or family who you think would like to become Catholic or who have been baptized Catholic and would like to complete their initiation through Confirmation and First Communion. Also, if you know someone who might need an invitation contact Deacon Carl at 440-854-6016.

MAKE CHRIST THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE. BECOME CATHOLIC.

Adult Faith formation

Join our dynamic group for a fresh look at the scriptures. Questions are welcomed! Cathy Stirling facilitates our (Adult and High School Youth only) group as we learn, grow and pray together by breaking open God's Word. Stop in for some coffee at CAFE. It is an eye opening experience!

 

CAFE
Cafe' Ministry (Catholic/Christian Adult Faith Experiences) 
[Adult and High School Age Youth Only]
                    

Prayer in Preparation For Mass

 

Gracious God,
Open my mind and my heart to share the 
gift of Christ's presence at Mass.
                           
In the living word proclaimed, help me dis-
cover the path of discipleship.  
                           
In the sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood,
join me more closely to yourself.

In the community at prayer, give me support        
to live according to your will.

In the world I encounter, give me courage 

to bring the blessing of the Eucharist to
those most in need.

Please grant this through Christ or Lord. 

Amen

Several years ago when I was a member of SMM Parish Council we studied a document called "Our Hearts were Burning Within Us" by The US Catholic Bishops.  In Luke 24:32 we read, "Then they said to each other 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?'"  From that study came much prayer and discussion and discernment and the beginning of the Cafe Ministry.   

The Parish Council gave their blessing and Cafe was born.  By now hopefully you are curious about Cafe' and just what we do there.  Every Sunday between the 8:00 and 11:00 Masses various parishioners gather to break open the scriptures.  That just means that we read aloud to each other the readings we heard/or will hear at Mass that day.  After we read them we talk about them.  Moses and Isaiah and Matthew and all of the prophets and evangelists have come alive at Cafe'.  Come and see.  Join us.  We'd love to have you!  Come see how it feels to "have your heart burning within you."   

There are men and women that come and people from all different generations.  There are no fees and there is no attendance policy- the door is aways open.  See you in room 104 in the parish center, one of these Sundays.  We'll be waiting for you.

God Bless you,
Cathy Stirling
Facilitator for Cafe'
I can be reached at (440) 463-4147 for any questions or concerns.  

Vacation Bible School (VBS)

A Week long summer day Camp experience of faith: full of songs, stories, games, snacks, and crafts. 

Mornings (9:30 - 11:30)  on specified days in August. 

Look at our bulletin and website for updates about specefic dates and this year's theme. 

For more information contact Rosemarie Sislier at the Parish Office 440-854-6001.

VBS Volunteers

Interested in Volunteering for VBS? 

2021 VBS will be held outdoors on August 2 through August 4. If you would like to voulnteer for VBS you can contact Rosemarie Sislier at the Parish Office 440-854-6001.


See descriptions of Volunteer Opportunities below:

Games Volunteer:

Help children play team-building games, by helping them to understand the instructions, assist in game demonstration, and participate actively in the game and cheer children on as they participate.

Story Time Volunteer:

Assist children in hearing the bible story of the day, by helping the storyteller with props, keeping children together and focused, and encouraging the children to participate.

Song Volunteer:

Helps children learn upbeat VBS songs, by greeting children with a smile and showing them where to sit, following the motions and singing along, getting the children involved.

Preschool Teacher/Crew Leader:

Helps to keep a specified aged group of children together and happy, by checking children in and out of each center of activity.


Questions about volunteering?

If you have any questions about a volunteer opportunity, please contact Rosemarie Sislier at the Parish Office 440-854-6001.

Catholic Schools:

A  Catholic education develops students spiritually, academically and physically. Students are provided a caring atmosphere with professionals who seek to help students become well-rounded citizens.Catholic schools provide a close-knit community where families develop in long-lasting relationships with people who share a common vision for their children. The liaison for Catholic School information is Coletta Dicello. She can be reached at Cdicello@smmwillowick.org