Holy Family Catholic Church
826 West Central Ave.; P.O. Box 130
Davidsonville, MD  21035
Washington Line: (301) 261-7399
Baltimore/Annapolis Line: (410) 269-0586
FAX: (410) 798-5315

Pastor: Rev. Joseph Barr


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OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: 410-798-5680
Administrator: Sharon Graham
Asst. Administrator: Anne Butta
Office Assistant: Mary Anne Hendrickson

Click here for PARISH REGISTRATION and RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION FORMS

Religious Education is still looking for teachers and aides. Anyone interested in this special ministry should call Sharon Graham at 410-798-5680. There are also Volunteer Opportunities available with the religious education program. We need help with Parking Patrol for Religious Education, office help, and nursery help. Call Sharon for more information.


RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHEDULE FOR 2007-2008
The Religious Education Schedule is now available in an Adobe Acrobat "PDF" file.
Note Change: the schedule is now updated (July 30, 2007).
Click here to download and print the 2007-2008 Holy Family Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation Schedule (Revised July 30, 2007)

* Note: To access the Religious Education Schedule in this format, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. To download Acrobat Reader, Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader

NEWS: Vacation Bible Camp 2007 was held at Davidsonville United Methodist Church, July 8th-12th from 5:30pm to 8pm. This camp was open to three year olds up to students finishing the sixth grade. The students raised $370.00 to benefit Journeys Within Our community (for wells in Cambodia). Next year the camp is tentatively scheduled for July 6-10, 2008.


10th-12th GRADE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The 10th-12th grade religious education classes meet once a month (formally) and more often as needed to work together on service projects. The philosophy associated with our post-Confirmation program is that the youth would rather not sit in classes any more…now is the time to put into practice what they have been learning about for the past ten years.

During the last school year, the teens and their facilitators worked on the following service projects:
  • Each teen and adult involved filled a box with items that were sent to a victim of “Hurricane Katrina.” Items included gently-worn clothing, CD’s, DVD’s and video games we no longer use, candles, toiletries, etc.
  • We collected used towels and blankets that we delivered to the S.P.C.A. to keep the pets warm and dry during the winter.
  • We provided support for the Christmas delivery to our sister parish, St. Gregory the Great, in Baltimore. Some of the teens helped load and unload presents and food items from the 30 vehicles involved in the delivery.
  • Each of the teens and adults involved made two stockings that were delivered to My Sister’s Place Lodge on Christmas Day. This Lodge is a resident facility for women who have been neglected and abused. They receive shelter and the job skills needed to find work and become independent. These ladies were absolutely thrilled when the stockings were distributed. It was almost like the teens knew who would receive each stocking…the gifts were perfect and very much appreciated.
  • We spent one day of Christmas break serving lunch at Our Daily Bread, the largest soup kitchen in the state of Maryland. Our Daily Bread is a Catholic Charities facility and serves approximately 1,000 lunches (in addition to breakfast) 365 days of the year.
  • We had an after-Christmas party at Kris-Leigh, an assisted living home in Davidsonville. The teens sang songs and played instruments. They helped the residents of Kris-Leigh with a craft, served refreshments and spent time sitting and talking with these senior citizens.
So, if you are a teen in the 10th, 11th, or 12th, grade, please consider joining us as we embark on another year of service. If you are the parent of a teen in the 10th, 11th, or 12th, grade, please encourage them to come lend a hand. We need all of them and we sincerely want them to remain close to their parish after they are confirmed.

10th – 12th GRADE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHEDULE

2006 – 2007 School Year:
Sunday, October 8th, 2006
Sunday, November 12th, 2006
Sunday, December 10th, 2006
Sunday, January 7th, 2007 (Classes will meet on the 1st Sunday of January because of the observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr., Holiday on the 2nd weekend)
Sunday, February 11th, 2007
Sunday, March 11th, 2007



CHANGE: 10th grade classes which WERE held immediately after the Youth Mass in Classroom 6 ARE NOW CHANGED to meet with the 11th and 12th grade schedule on Sundays at 6:30pm. Questions after the 10th grade program should be directed to John Lantier (in the evenings) at 410-867-1503.

10th grade will now join 11th & 12th grade classes will be held from 6:30-8pm in Classroom 6. Classes are held in the evening to accommodate work schedules. Questions about the 11th and 12th grade program should be directed to Anne Butta (in the evenings) at 410-798-6220. Note that this is a CHANGE IN TIME for the 11th and 12th grade, now meeting at 6:30pm, and the 10th grade changed from noon on Sundays to 6:30pm.

TWO ADDITIONAL FAITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR YOUTH
Friday, March 23, 2007 – Pizza and Stations of the Cross from 6:45-8:15pm.
Saturday, March 31, 2007 – Young Adult & Youth Pilgrimage in Baltimore City led by Cardinal Keeler. Chaperones/drivers are always welcome.

If you are not receiving the monthly email from Anne about the Youth Mass, please send your email address to her at churchlady22@verizon.net and she will add you to the list. Thanks. This saves the parish postage by avoiding extra mailings.


OVERVIEW OF THE CONFIRMATION PREPARATION PROGRAM

The Sacrament of Confirmation is customarily received by students in the 10th grade or above. A special preparation program separate from and in addition to the regular Religious Education program is required by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Registration and preparation for this program begin in the winter/spring of 9th grade.

Pre-requisites for the Confirmation Preparation Program are:
  • The candidate must be baptized and have already received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
  • The candidate’s family must be registered, practicing members of Holy Family Parish.
  • The candidate must have attended the Parish Religious Education program or Catholic school two (2) prior consecutive years (including the year they enter the Confirmation Preparation Program) and make a commitment to continue in a formal, approved Religious Education program until high school graduation.
  • The candidate must successfully complete the Faith Concepts Test in 8th or 9th grade.


We look forward to the involvement of the parents in certain aspects of the program so that the candidate can fulfill his or her requirements. On the one hand, some absences are understandable (due to personal illness or a death in the family). On the other hand, absences due to "social conflicts" or irresponsibility demonstrate to us a lack of commitment and will not be excused. Reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation will occur only when all the requirements have been fulfilled.

Our program includes an opening retreat which includes the special Mass of Commitment, a second retreat in September, a Christian service project, four large group sessions, six to eight small group classes with the individual catechist(s), participation in weekly Mass and Mass on holy days of obligation, and participation in Parish activities, in addition to accepting the responsibility of opening their heart and mind to the Holy Spirit through prayer. An interview with two adults involved in parish leadership is also required prior to reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth.

O God, on the first Pentecost you instructed the hearts of those who believed in you by the light of the Holy Spirit: under the inspiration of the same Spirit, give us a taste of what is right and true and a continuing sense of his joy-bringing presence and power, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


SCHEDULE OF CONFIRMATION ACTIVITIES CLASS OF 2007
March 31, 2007: Deadline for registering for program. Registration information can be found on the baker's rack in the narthex.
April 14, 2007: 10am-6pm. One day retreat which will begin with a tour of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception with Father Barr and Confirmation staff. At 2pm we will meet in our parish Chapel for an orientation session which will outline expectations and requirements for Confirmation candidates. Attendance by the candidate and at least one parent or guardian is required. The day concludes with the Commitment Mass at 5pm in the Church. During this Mass, solemn agreements are brought up at the Offertory by the candidates.
May 6, 2007: 6-8pm - Sunday evening class (large group) – “Peer Pressure” (half the class from 6-7pm; half from 7-8pm)
May 6, 2007: 6-8pm – Sunday evening class (large group) – “The Eucharist” (half the class from 6-7pm; half from 7-8pm)
May 20, 2007: 6-8pm – Sunday evening class (large group) – “Prayer” (half the class from 6-7pm; half from 7-8pm)
May 20, 2007: 6-8pm – Sunday evening class (large group) – “Christian Service” (half the class from 6-7pm; half from 7-8pm)
June 1, 2007 - August 31, 2007: Teachers and candidates meet at least six (6) times to complete the text.
September 8, 2007: Confirmation Retreat
September 16, 2007; September 30, 2007: Interviews held in Parish offices; check to see date and time you signed up for your interview.
October 25, 2007: 6:15-7:15pm – Rehearsal for Confirmation - Church
October 26, 2007: 7:30pm – Confirmation Liturgy

Below are blessings that you can use at home or in the classroom.

Blessing for Children

Loving God,
We ask your blessing upon these children.
We are thankful for their energy, their enthusiasm,
And their youthful perspective.
Gift them with open hearts to seek You and hear your Word.
Help them recognize that living out our faith is a way of life.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Blessing for Catechists

Loving God,
We ask your blessing upon these men and women, our catechists.
We are thankful for their generous spirit,
As well as their care for our young people.
Gift them with wisdom and patience in their ministry.
Help them to gently guide our children as they journey in faith.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Blessing for Parents

Loving God,
We ask your blessing upon these parents.
We are thankful for the love and care they have for their children.
Gift them with insight and perseverance
as they share their faith with their family.
Help them to share an abundance of love with their children,
So that those children may come to know your love.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Blessing for Parishioners

Loving God,
We ask your blessing upon all of us who are your children.
Through our Baptism,
We are responsible for helping each other come to know you.
We are especially responsible for all children.
Help us to live as witnesses and models of faith in action.
So that these children may be inspired to live a life of faith.
We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.

PRAYERS for PARENTS

The Sign of the Cross

Many mothers have a custom of blessing their children by making the sign of the cross on their foreheads, with or without holy water or holy oil. A mother might sign her children in this way as they leave the house or go off to bed or head out for school.

Blessing with Holy Water

Holy water is what is called a sacramental: it is blessed and its use brings spiritual refreshment. Blessing oneself with holy water is suggested in times of danger such as storms and illness. It can also be sprinkled in a room or on a child to dispel the influences of the devil.

It is customary to dip one’s fingers in the holy water and to make the sign of the cross with the prayer, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Another recommended prayer is “By this holy water and by your precious blood, wash away my sins, O Lord.”


Parent’s Prayer
They are only little once, Lord.
Grant me the wisdom and patience
To teach them
To follow in your footsteps
And prepare them
For what is to come.
 
They are only little once, Lord.
Make me take the time to play pretend,
To read or tell a story;
To cuddle.
 
Don’t let me for one minute
Think anything is more important
Than the school play,
The recital, the big game, fishing,
Or the quiet walk hand in hand.
 
All too soon, Lord,
They will grow away
And there is no turning back.
Let me have my memories with no regrets.
 
Please help me to be a good parent, Lord.
When I must discipline,
Let me do it in love,
Let me be firm, but fair;
Let me correct and explain with patience.
 
They are growing away, Lord.
While I have the chance
Let me do my best for them.
For the rest of our lives,
Please, Lord,
Let me be their very best friend.
(by Mary L. Robbins)

 
 

 

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