Advent Family Catechesis

December 14th: Family Retreat and Advent Activity – “The Jesse Tree”, 9:30am – 12:30pm

“The Jesse tree helps us connect the custom of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to Jesus’ birth. The Jesse tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” Jesse was the father of King David. We adorn a Jesse tree with illustrated ornaments that represent the people, prophesies, and events leading up to the birth of Jesus. The ornaments of the Jesse tree tell the story of God in the Old Testament, connecting the Advent season with the faithfulness of God across four thousand years of history.”

Family Catechesis’ basic goal and mission is to help families be the “domestic church” that is needed for the building up of the Kingdom of God. In offering a variety of learning and faith sharing opportunities, family catechesis can, in particular:

• help families learn how to pray and to discuss their faith together
• help parents better understand their role as primary catechists
• bring families together in order to share and deepen their Catholic faith
• strengthen the relationship between the family and the Church
• establish ongoing Catholic faith practices within the family life
• integrate the family into the parish community

Family Catechesis at Epiphany is an opportunity for families to learn about our faith together. It will consist of fun activities and religious education for the whole family. We will  start with refreshments, prayer, and an opening family activity. We will then have an introduction to the theme of the session, then there will be in-depth learning for parents while the children are engaged in an activity with their catechist.  Everyone will come back together for closing prayers.

Upcoming Catechesis:

February 8th: Communion Family Workshop for the 2nd Grade and their families, 9:30 – 11:30am

March 21st: Confirmation Family Workshop for the  7th Grade and their families, 9:30am – 1:00pm

April 26th: Jesus, Our Lord and Savior, 11:30am – 1:00pm