Children's Faith Formation at Divine Mercy Parish


​We know that our children and families need faith more now than ever.
Our plan for the future is designed to help our children become lifelong followers of Jesus.
The goal of all of our programming is to better engage the hearts and minds of our children and families.

2021-2022  Children's Ministry Calendars

Here are the calendars for the coming year by grade.
​We look forward to gathering in person but will remain flexible to changing as needed.

PK, 1, 3, 4, 5, 6th Grade Calendar 2021-2022
2nd Grade Calendar 2021-2022
7th Grade Calendar 2021-2022
 8th Grade Calendar 2021-2022​ 
FAMILY FAITH Calendar 2021-2022​

Children's Ministry Sunday Morning Sessions


  • Sessions will meet from 8:50-9:50 a.m. on Sundays at Sacred Heart School & Parish Center.
  • We will hold Family Masses, retreats, sacraments, special sessions and more on both the St. Philip the Apostle campus and on the Sacred Heart campus.
  • We will kick off our year with a Family Mass at 9:30 a.m., September 19th at St. Philip the Apostle Church followed by food and fellowship.
  • Our year will feature:
    • 3 Family Masses
    • Service projects woven directly into the monthly curriculum based on the Corporal Works of Mercy for all grade levels
    • 1 Saints Celebration
    • 1 Christmas Pageant
    • Sessions led by our outstanding, experienced catechists
    • Youth Alpha for our 7th graders as a way to prepare for Confirmation
    • Sacramental prep for our 2nd and 8th graders

Family Faith Connections

​
  • We will bring back our monthly Family Faith Connections program for those families who want to learn, grow and pray together as an alternative to the regular weekly Children’s Ministry sessions. Family Faith combines monthly group meetings on Sunday evenings at the Sacred Heart Parish Center and grade-specific instruction by trained catechists along with at-home sessions guided by parents.
  • Families will gather 8 times per year on a Sunday evening from 5:15-7:00 p.m. to share a meal, prayer and activity, followed by lessons for the children and a chance for parents to meet with a priest or leader to discuss our faith. 
  • Parents work with children to complete approximately 20 Home sessions using parent-friendly materials and instructions. 
  • Any family member who would like a shared faith experience can participate. Parents, children, grandparents, step-parents, aunts,  uncles – all are welcome. 
  • 8th Graders may attend Family Faith, but must also attend weekly sessions on Sunday mornings.
Please contact Kelly Shoup (kshoup@divinemercynorthshore.org) or call 847-446-0856 x106 with any questions.

Christmas Pageant 2021

In case you missed our wonderful Children's Ministry
Christmas Pageant held on December 12, 2021, just click here to watch!

​Children's Ministry 2021
Confirmation Video

Children's Ministry 2021
​First Communion
Congratulations to our 2021 Confirmation candidates and their families!  ​Go make a difference in the world!
Congratulations to our 2021 First Communicants
and their families!  ​Enjoy this video highlighting
​ the year for our First Communicants!

Celebrating Our Sacraments

​All Saints Celebration Video

Merry Christmas From Children's Ministry!
​Each year, our 8th Grade Confirmation candidates select a saint that inspires them, and write a report about them.  They learn about the saint’s life and canonization.
This past year our 8th graders videotaped their reports. Enjoy this video compilation produced by parishioner Jeff Hartvigsen, who deserves a big thank you for all his work.
And thank you to all of our 8th Graders
​ for their hard work and creativity!

​Enjoy some of our Children’s Ministry students singing and performing ​some of the season’s merry and bright Christmas carols!
It’s the next best thing to being all together!
Following the carols is a charming video about the birth of the blessed baby Jesus.
Merry Christmas from Children's Ministry!

Photos Captured During a Most Unusual Year! 
​Still Our Faith Continued to Grow!

Children's Ministry Program
OUR  MISSION

Children’s Ministry focuses on growing faith and engaging hearts. We offer faith formation to children, kindergarten through 8th grade, and their families. 

We foster the life-long growth of our children and families, as disciples of Jesus Christ, in the Catholic tradition. Our program is supported by many generous adults and high school students who share their faith, time and talents with the children of our parish.

​Below are the current plans for the 2021-2022 school year.
We will feature:
​
  • 3 Family Masses, an integral part of the program, these Masses will focus on special teaching moments with children and feature contemporary music.
  • Service Projects woven directly into the monthly curriculum based on the Corporal Works of Mercy for all grade levels
  • 1 Saints Celebration, during which we will learn about Catholic saints, and our 8th graders will introduce us to the wonderful saints they have chosen as part of the Confirmation faith journey.
  • 1 Christmas Pageant & Carols, during which families will enjoy watching their children recreate the nativity story and experience the joy and wonder of Advent.
  • In-Person Sessions taught by our outstanding, experienced catechists. Sessions will meet from 8:50-9:50 a.m. on Sundays at Sacred Heart School & Parish Center.
  • Youth Alpha for our 7th graders as a way to prepare for Confirmation
  • Sacramental prep for our 2nd and 8th graders
Family Faith Connections
Family Faith Connections 2021-2022 
Family Faith is for families who want to learn, grow and pray together as an alternative to our regular weekly Children’s Ministry sessions. The program combines monthly group meetings on Sunday evenings at the Sacred Heart Parish Center and grade-specific instruction by trained catechists along with at-home sessions guided by parents.

Parish
  • 8 times per year families gather on a Sunday evening from 5:15-7:00 p.m. to share a meal, prayer and activity, followed by lessons for the children and a chance for parents to meet with a priest or leader to discuss our faith. 
  • Parents stay with the leader for the continuation of the session and children join catechists for their own session.
Home
  • Parents work with children to complete approximately 20 Home sessions using parent-friendly materials and instructions. 

This approach helps parents identify the faith lessons in the everyday moments when we teach our children to love, to respect, to forgive one another, to care for God's beautiful creation, and to serve those around us who need our help.  Families get to know others who are interested in growing in faith as a family.  Community is created as parents gather and share and as they realize that they are not alone on this journey.
Who can participate?  
Any family members who would like a shared faith experience can participate.  Parents, children, grandparents, stepparents, aunts, uncles – all are welcome, and that includes families from both Sacred Heart and St. Philip sites.  Children preparing for Confirmation (Grade 8) must also attend weekly sessions.  Some 8th graders assist as aides as part of their Confirmation service.
 
What if I don’t feel prepared to teach my child?  
The program is designed for parents just like you.  You will learn together with your child as you use the Home Session Plans created just for this purpose and attend our Sunday evening gatherings.
Sacramental Preparation
The ​calendars for Confirmation and First Communion preparation will be released shortly. 
Sacramental Preparation is a 2 year process. This includes grades 1-2 (First Reconciliation and First Communion) and grades 7-8 (Confirmation).
QUESTIONS
We welcome your questions! Please contact Kathy Handelman at khandelman@divinemercynorthshore.org.