Holy Cross Catholic Church :: East Bernard, Texas

	generations of faith Generations of Faith is an innovative approach to faith formation that equips the parish to become a community of learning by creating lifelong faith formation that is centered in the events of church life, that embraces all ages and generations, and that promotes faith growth at home, through parish preparation programs, and, most importantly, through participation in church life. Holy Cross Parish is embracing the vision of faith formation in the General Directory for Catechesis which requires moving away from the schooling paradigm to a community or "whole church" paradigm of faith formation. Click here to read more...

FAITH FORMATION
Session Facilitators/Catechists: Two adults working together to present a topic related to the monthly session to Young Disciples (4 yrs. to 1st grade), children (2nd to 5th grade) and parents, junior high, high school or adults. Preparation/training provided prior to GOF session. Monthly commitment **(see requirements for working with children and youth)
Session Assistants: One or two adults helping facilitators/catechists during their presentations (monitor students’ behavior, help groups, hand out materials, etc.) Needed for children (2nd to 5th grade) and parents, junior high, and high school. Monthly commitment **(see requirements for working with children and youth)
Teen Assistants: High School students helping facilitators/catechists during their presentations (monitor students’ behavior, help groups, hand out materials, etc.) for preschool class.

SUPPORT TEAM
Food Coordinator:

Kitchen Helpers: Make drinks at least 15 minutes before people arrive, serve food, and clean-up kitchen area afterward. Rotate monthly schedule.
Pizza Delivery: Travel to Pizza Hut, Wharton, to pick up pizza at 5:15 p.m. and bring back to E.B.
Trash Detail: In charge of collecting trash from all trash cans and taking bags and flattened boxes to the dumpster located in the church parking lot. Rotate monthly schedule.

Babysitting Coordinator:

Babysitter: Adult to care for small children 0-3 years on a rotating basis during 2nd GOF session. **(see requirements for working with children and youth)
Teen Helpers: High School/Junior Students willing to help adult babysitter.

Greeters: Greet the people as they arrive. Register them. Give home-kits. Make them feel welcomed. Direct them as to where to go. Monthly commitment
Photographer: Adults able to use digital camera to take pictures during all GOF sessions
Home-kit Assembly: Group of individuals willing to assemble home kits monthly.

**Diocesan Safe Environment Certification required.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist for Children
Sacramental Policy
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

It is parish policy that a child must be enrolled and attend a Religious Education program for at least one (1) year before the Sacrament of Reconciliation (First Penance/First Confession) as well as the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist (First Communion).

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is normally received in the 2nd grade. We offer a two-year program, open to all elementary students (grades 1-5) wanting to receive these sacraments.

Older students (grades 6-10) will have similar guidelines. First year – Family (including student) attends Generations of Faith sessions and fulfills first year requirements. Second year –Family (including student) attend the GOF sessions, and student attends additional sacramental classes.

Sacramental preparation classes are held on the 3rd, 4th, & 5th Wednesdays of the month from 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., ReligiousEducationBuilding.

***1st Reconciliation/Communion Students in the first (1st) year of sacrament preparation who miss more than two (2) GOF sessions during this year, parent or guardian will need to meet with the Director of Religious Education to discern the student's readiness.

***1st Communion Students in the second (2nd) year of sacrament preparation who miss more than two (2) GOF sessions during this year and/or one (1) reconciliation preparation class in the fall or one (1) Eucharist preparation class in the spring, parent or guardian will need to meet with the Director of Religious Education to discern the student's readiness.

If your student will be absent, we ask that you call the office at 979-335-4071 to let us know even if you have already informed your student's catechist. It is the policy of the office, to assure the safety of all our students, to phone the families whose children are reported absent.

Required Prayers
First Communion Prayers 2011-12
Students will learn all prayers listed on this sheet.
Parents decide which version of the Act of Contrition you want your child to learn (version 1or version 2 listed). Click here for a complete prayer list.

Confirmation for Youth
Cofirmation Policy
Confirmation is normally received in the 11th grade. Holy Cross Parish offers a three-year program, open to high school students (grades 9-12) wanting to receive the sacrament of Confirmation. First Year students attend religious education classes. Second and Third Year Students must attend religious education classes in addition to the sacramental prep classes. The parish religious education program is Generations of Faith.

Sacramental preparation classes are held on the 3rd, 4th, & 5th Wednesdays of the month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., ReligiousEducationBuilding.

*** First year Confirmation Students who miss more than two (2) GOF sessions during this year will need to meet, along with a parent or guardian, with the Director of Religious Education to discern the student’s readiness.

***Second and Third year Confirmation Students who miss more than two (2) GOF sessions during each year and/or two confirmation prep classes each year will need to meet, along with a parent or guardian, with the Director of Religious Education to discern the student’s readiness.

If your student will be absent, we ask that you call the office at 979-335-4071 to let us know even if you have already informed your student’s catechist. It is the policy of the office, to assure the safety of all our students, to phone the families whose children are reported absent.

Students preparing for confirmation must know several prayers. Click here for a complete prayer list.

	Adult Education RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a series of weekly gatherings open to those seeking to draw closer to Jesus Christ by learning more about the Catholic faith. People are invited to enter into a faith journey to discover whether God is calling them to become Catholic. RCIA is also open to anyone, Catholic or otherwise, who would simply like to know more about the church's teachings. The sessions, which run from late August until after Easter in April, prepare adults for the sacraments of initiation, which can include Baptism, Communion, and Confirmation. These sacraments are celebrated at the Easter Vigil, the Saturday night before Easter Sunday. For more information please contact Father Don at 979-335-7551 or holycross@earth-comm.com. Pastorial Institute The Pastoral Institute is committed to making adult education a high priority in the Diocese of Victoria by providing a solid curriculum of basic courses pertaining to the Catholic faith. Understanding and living the Catholic Faith is a life-long commitment. Each person is called to grow continually and to respond openly to Christ in his/her life. The Extended PI Program is a three-year program of 12 six-week courses (144 clock hours) offered in different centers in the diocese. Classes are being offered at Holy Cross, East Bernard. BEGINNING JANUARY 9th... Who wrote the Psalms? Why are the Gospels different? A Bible Study for beginners and those wanting to learn more! In "Psalms and Wisdom" Sr. Digna Vela will explore The Book of Psalms, Israel's prayer book, and the Wisdom literature of Israel which includes The Book of Job. -What does the Bible say about human suffering?(Jan. 9 –Feb. 13) Then, discover how the New Testament came to be written and join in a discussion of The Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke in the second Spring course "Introduction to the New Testament & Synoptic Gospels" (Feb. 21 – March 27). Classes start on Monday, January 9, 2012 at 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. and 7 to 9:15p.m. Classes will resume on Tuesdays for the following weeks. Register by calling Mrs. Krenek, 979-335-4071. The parish will pay your fees if you complete the class. Disciples on the Journey Disciples on the Journey is a lectionary-based Lenten resource for adults, youth and families that includes a commentary, faith-sharing questions, ways to live as disciples, a saint of the week, and opening and closing prayers with rituals. Groups are formed and meet each week during Lent. The participants reflect on the Sunday readings, share faith with one another, and ponder God’s call to serve our brothers and sisters. For more information contact Mrs. Patricia Michulka, 979-335-6107

Holy Cross Catholic Church
Father Donald Ruppert, Pastor

Rectory • 979-335-7551
P.O. Box 1325 • 839 Church Street • East Bernard, Texas 77435
Monday - Friday • 8:00 AM to 12 Noon • 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Please click here to view a map

Cemetery & Religious Education • 979-335-4071