What is FiRE?

Building a parish of lifelong learners by engaging all ages and generations in the events of Church life.

Sharing faith and learning from our individual experiences.

Nurturing the faith of families and individuals at home and when parishioners gather together.

Helping each of us grow in the understanding of Church events and living our faith in everyday life.

Learning/Children (Preschool - Gr 5)

Our parish has always been on fire with the Spirit. Just as a fire needs fuel to ignite, so does our faith. FiRE-Faith Reaching Everyone is the fuel for whole parish faith formation.

Preschool/K-Current Offerings

Nursery
The Holy Spirit Nursery provides the young children of our parish with a positive first experience at church. Qualified, loving childcare is available during many of our Masses for infants (age 10 months) through toddlers (age 36 months). The Holy Spirit Nursery is a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate space for children to begin experiencing God's love through the care of our church family. If you would like to volunteer in the nursery or have questions, please contact Karman Brinkman at 507-280-0638 or kbrinkman@holyspiritrochester.org.

Sparks Sunday School
Holy Spirit Catholic Church offers Sunday School (Sparks) for preschoolers (age 3-4) and Kindergarteners (age 5-6). Our Sunday School program runs late September through April each year and lasts through the entire Mass. Please click here for our current Sparks Sunday School calendar. Sparks Sunday School provides age appropriate faith formation guided by biblical faith and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Our program incorporates bible-based curriculum, seasonal lessons and activities, scripture and prayer, music and singing programs, and other various ways for children to grow in their faith. Sparks Sunday School is only one of the many opportunities for fostering faith that extend from the church to the home and into the community.

What enables our Sparks Sunday School program to carry out its vision are the many dedicated volunteers. Please click here for the registration form. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Karman Brinkman at 507-280-0638 or kbrinkman@holyspiritrochester.org.

Grades 1-5-Current Offerings

Textbook Series: Faith First | Grades 1-5
Click here for class schedule. Expand your knowledge of the traditions and teachings of our Catholic faith. Do community service and get to know friends at church. This series will provide children with an understanding of our faith based on the 4 pillars of the Catechism- Creed, Sacraments, Morality and Prayer. Two Wednesdays a month will be a class experience using the Faith First text. One Wednesday will be service or recreational activities. On another Wednesday, Family Learning Centers are offered. Make Wednesday's Faith Formation night. Get it on your calendar weekly.

Carolyn Real, Faith Formation Coordinator
280-0638 x15 or creal@holyspiritrochester.org

Activity Night | Grades 1-5
Come spend some time doing fun activities with friends and get to know new friends at church. We do community service and/or recreational activities one Wednesday a month from October to April.

Carolyn Real, Faith Formation Coordinator
280-0638 x15 or creal@holyspiritrochester.org

Faith First Home Study | Grades 1-5
If your child is not able to attend class on Wednesday due to other commitments consider home schooling. This series will provide children with an understanding of our faith based on the 4 pillars of the Catechism - Creed, Sacraments, Morality and Prayer. Home schooling provides a unique experience for parent and child to grow together. A family resource guide is available with Faith First as well as an award winning website featuring a wide variety of resources including activities for your child right online. Combine it with Family Learning Stations and Activity Night for a faith community experience.

Carolyn Real, Faith Formation Coordinator
280-0638 x15 or creal@holyspiritrochester.org

Family Learning Centers

Our next FiRE Family Learning Center topic is The Church.  The Church is more than the building we worship in; when we talk about the church we are talking about ourselves.  We are continuing the ministry of Jesus; we are the people of God.  Explore the mission and ministries of the Church. Discover ways to nurture faith at home and become a more faith-filled family.  We are members through baptism.  How do we live that out?  Determine practical ways you and your family can be active members of the Body of Christ.

FiRE Learning Stations are on Wednesday, April 9 from 3:45P.M. – 7:15P.M. , Saturday evening April 12 after Mass and Sunday morning April 13 after Masses. 

Studies show that children generally grow to the religious level of their parents. Family Learning Centers are one way we support lifelong faith formation and parents as the primary educators of faith in the family. Parents lead their children through stations that will engage their family on a variety of faith topics. We incorporate the 6 tasks of catechesis (church year, sacraments, justice, prayer & spirituality, creed, morality) into learning centers for families. This gives families the dedicated time and catechetical support to address faith beliefs and practices together. Get the discussion going and keep it going through family learning centers. Your children want to learn how to live as a disciple in today's complex society, from you.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

We are committed to providing the children of the parish a meaningful Mass experience.  Children's liturgy is targeted at children ages 6 through 9 years old. It is scheduled for the first and third weekends of the month.  The Liturgy of the Word is a time when the children at Mass follow a leader to the Emmaus room and participate in hearing the readings and a homily at their level.  Afterward, they return to the assembly and join everyone for the rest of the Mass.

A catechist volunteer leads this ministry, and additional volunteer helpers assist the children. Children receive a worksheet pertaining to the readings of the week.
Contact Carolyn Real, Faith Formation Coordinator with questions.