RELEASED TIME RELIGION

We offer a released time religion program in coordination with New Lothrop Schools.  Students' 1st through 8th grades are released to catechists from school one hour a week and walk to our Good News Center building, which is adjacent to the New Lothrop Elementary School.  Students in 1st, 3rd-8th grades use Our Sunday Visitor's Alive in Christ curriculum.  Our 2nd grade students use Ascension Press's Renewed and Received curriculum as they prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion.  This is Catholic curriculum but is a program open to all the students at New Lothrop Schools.

SUNDAY MORNING RELIGION

Currently, we offer a formation class for our middle school students, grades 6th-8th, as they are preparing for Confirmation.  This class is primarily offered to our parish members that have children unable to attend the released time religion program.  Though this class is directed towards students working towards Confirmation, it is open to all middle school students open to growing in their faith. 

CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD (LEVELS I & II)

This program currently occurs on our parish campus on Tuesday evenings.  Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a wonderful program that uses Montessori techniques to allow children ages 3 to 6 years (Level I) and ages 6 to 9 years (LEVEL II) to explore the infinite mystery that is our God.  Each level has its own age-appropriate Atrium where children are best able to experience their faith.

SPRED

Faith Formation for individuals, of any age, with disabilities.  The students are paired with a mentor and the sessions focus on God in our daily lives.  SPRED meets every Monday during the school year from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the parish office building.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

A fun filled ministry outreach program for children designed to teach them about the Good News of Jesus Christ.  Our Vacation Bible School is a five-day children's program, which is offered each year during the 2nd or 3rd full week of July.  It is packed with music, stories, games, crafts, videos, and snacks to submerge children in the teachings of Jesus.  Each year a new theme is chosen to engage students.  In the recent past, themes have revolved around the wonders of the west, under the sea, and the beauty of space.  The program ends with a final night filled with fun for the whole family.  We begin with Mass followed by a final celebration filled with games, food and fellowship for the whole family! 

YOUTH MINISTRY

Our youth ministry is a program for our high school aged students.  We utilize a small group discipleship approach to youth ministry.  We have trained adult facilitators that work with boy or girl groups of about 5-10 students.  Our goal with small groups is for the students to grow in their connection with each other but especially with Jesus.  We have found that students are more apt to enjoy a smaller group setting because it is more personal and with students their own age with similar interests and questions about life.

Though our students learn and draw closer to Jesus in small groups, they do work as a larger group in service to the larger community.  Projects they have participated in are making blankets for children in a homeless shelter, visiting a shelter with pizza and crafts for the children, collecting items for the homeless, and helping the parish sponsored events.  One of the biggest events that youth have a huge role in is our summer Vacation Bible School.

CATECHISTS

It takes many catechists and volunteers for our programs to successfully operate.  If you are interested in working with our youth in any capacity, please contact Kelly Knieper at 989-845-7011 ext. 3 or kelly.knieper@stmichaelmaplegrove.org.