Children's Ministry

Our Children’s Ministry at St. Madeleine Sophie is designed to provide families with a comprehensive path of religious instruction from preschool through sixth grade.

• Kids’ Church program is for preschoolers during Sunday Masses.
• • This is postponed until further notice. Alternative resources for preschoolers is detailed below.
• Children’s Liturgy of the Word engages the elementary aged children during Sunday Masses. Postponed this year for 2021. Watch for online resources
• Whole Community Catechesis (WCC) our elementary aged religious education program, brings children together with their parents in a family centered faith formation process.
• “When we sing, we pray twice”, our Glory and Praise Choir is open to the whole family.* This will depend on health and safety requirements. At this time there will be no choirs. 
• The Christmas Eve Glory and Praise Choir is open to children in 2^ndgrade and older.* This will depend on health and safety requirements. At this time there will be no choirs. 
• Your children will love the fun of our Summer Bible Camp usually held in mid-July each year.

Whole Community Catechesis (1^st through 6^th grades)

Children in grades one through six take part in our inter-generational gatherings on Wednesday evenings. This program is grade based and students attend with a sponsor or mentor, generally a parent. This format helps extend the learning and sharing beyond the classroom.

In 2021-2022 we are meeting by grade level in person once a month and virtually once a month. There will also be some home study to accompany these sessions. A calendar is provided in the column to the left.

WCC CALENDAR 2021-2022

Kids’ Church (Preschool through Kindergarten) POSTPONED

Our early childhood program, Kids’ Church, is designed to help preschoolers and kindergarteners gently understand the basic concepts and rituals of our faith. Lessons are structured in a Mass format, specifically designed for the age and maturity level, as well as the developmental and spiritual needs, of young children.

When they arrive at the Kids’ Church worship center, the children are greeted in an atmosphere that is purposefully slowed down and quieted. Children are introduced to the joy and wonder of God’s love through storytelling, art activities, and play. Worship centers are offered to coincide with the 8:30 or 11:00 Sunday Masses and take place most weekends from October to May.
 

 - Kids' Church During COVID -

We are not having in person Kids' Church during Mass. Pre recorded story telling videos will be available on this website for viewing each week. No registration is requried until we begin meeting in person as described above. Links will be available on this page in October. 

We will host story time and faith connection sessions for preschoolers twice a month. A schedule will be posted here in October. Please contact Maggie Rader maggie@stmadsophie.or if you are interested in having your child attend.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)

To make Sunday Mass a more positive experience for children, we provide a “Word” experience that is designed to meet the developmental and spiritual needs of the elementary-aged child.

Families come to Mass together, but after the opening song and prayer, first through sixth grade children are invited to come forward and process downstairs for CLOW. During the children’s “Word” service, we focus on only one reading—usually the Gospel reading. This is followed by a child-oriented discussion/homily, prayers of the faithful, creed, and songs. At the beginning of the liturgy of the Eucharist, children rejoin their families in the church.

CLOW is offered at the 8:30 and 11:00 Masses most Sundays, October through May.  There is no registration for CLOW.  All children in first through sixth grade are welcome.

 - CLOW During COVID -

We are not offering CLOW in person during Mass. Gospel resources will be made available on this webpage. Links will be available on this page in October. 

Vacation Bible Camp

Vacation Bible Camp is held each year in July.  Please see the spring bulletins for specific dates and times or the VBC Page.