Author: Andy Krueger

Retreats:
Retreats are scheduled around mass. Our Saturday mass is at 4:00 so we begin our retreats at 1:00, have a snack at 2:45/3:00 and attend mass together at 4:00. We encourage families to join us for mass and collect their children following mass. It has worked out very well in our parish. Each grade level is asked to attend one retreat each year.

Mass Notes:
This is a form that we give to the children and youth and ask that they fill it out weekly. (or when they get to mass)
Youth in grades 6-10 are asked to do two mass notes each year. Confirmation candidates are asked to do 12 over the course of their preparation.
Recently this has trickled down to the elementary children. Children in 2nd grade are asked to complete weekly.

Ash Wednesday Mass:
Faith Formation ends at 4:30 usually. On Ash Wednesday we end at 4:20 so our families can pick up their children and join us for mass at 4:30. It is always a FULL house.

New Driver Blessing:
We invite all new drivers to mass for a special blessing. Sr. Pam is a great blessing writer. We bless the new drivers and present them with a guardian angel visor clip.

Graduation Blessing & Breakfast:
The weekend before graduation we invite our graduates to come to mass for a special blessing and a gift from the parish.
Following mass our Knights of Columbus provide a wonderful breakfast for anyone who wants to come.
Our families have always greatly appreciated this event.

Andy Krueger
St. Mary Church, Winneconne
Andy.krueger@stmarychurches.org

Getting our families in the Pews

Confirmation:
We schedule our parent meetings and sponsor meetings around mass. First, this gets them to church and the meeting. Second, we formally introduce and enroll our youth into the Confirmation Program.
The sponsor meeting is actually called a social and follows our 4:00 Saturday mass.
Parent/candidate class around mass time.

2nd Grade Sacraments:
Plan events around the Mass:
Meetings
Bread Partners
Banner Presentation
Parish Council Invite
Meet and greet reception
Parent /child class after mass
Mass notes
One main goal we have throughout this prep period is to help them grow in their love of and appreciation for the Mass.

Parish Events:
Advent Adventures: This is a take and make event. We provide a variety of things; devotionals, advent wreath, holy water and blessings. This event follows mass on the first weekend of Advent.
Family nights– provide engaging opportunity for parents to join us for class.