K-8 Letter Re: COVID-19 with Resources

Dear Faith Formation Families:
 
As you know, our faith formation schedule follows the Avon Public School cancellation policy. At this time the schools are closed through March 29^th as a result, our next class on Sunday March 29^th is cancelled. If Avon schools reopen as scheduled, we will hold classes on April 5^th. I have asked each catechist to send an email detailing the lesson plan for March 29^th so your student  can remain current with this year’s curriculum.
 

At this time, Vacation Bible Camp registration  is currently on hold. Stay tuned for further announcements.

Below are wonderful resources from the Office of Education, Evangelization and Catechesis at the Archdiocese of Hartford:
With the growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the changes to scheduled faith formation classes, it is necessary to think of alternative ways to help children and their families continue to grow in faith.  There is an abundance of evidence to support the importance of involving families in the faith formation of their children, so this time away from classes can actually be a rich opportunity to develop faith practices in the home.
 

The following resources can be used to supplement at home study and develop faith practices at home:
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St. Ann uses the Loyola Press program Christ Our Life. They have an interactive websites that include games, quizzes, and activities that can be done in the home. CLICK HERE to visit Loyola Press
 
During times like these, prayer, praise and worship of our God who is sovereign should lead our ministry efforts. Here is a link to resources and prayers specific to coronavirus. CLICK HERE for family resources
 
Consider giving your families a weekly activity to unpack the Sunday Gospel reading. CLICK HERE for resources
 
CLICK HERE for Lenten activities to engage your family in this significant liturgical season.
 
Reading the Bible with Your Family Give families the opportunity to learn how to read the Bible with their children. CLICK HERE for great directions on how to get started in  diving into scripture as a family!
 
CLICK HERE for short YouTube videos on the Catholic Kids Media channel - dozens of 2 - 3 minute children’s messages, homilies, prayers and more!
 
I will be checking my email regularly, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have regarding our faith formation program.
I hope that you are all healthy and safe and will join me in prayer for those who are those who are suffering in the current outbreak of infectious disease, that they might be healed, and for happy repose for those who have died from this illness in recent weeks.
 
Peace,
Valerie StJean
Valerie St. Jean
Director of Faith Formation, grades K-8
Church of Saint Ann – Avon, CT
860-673-9858 x 223
 

More Resources for At Home Faith Formation
 
Here’s a lesson from Loyola Press on talking to your children about the COVID-19 coronavirus. It’s a free downloadable worksheet, a lesson explanation and a parent page.

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Ten Tips for Teaching Religion Lessons to Your Children at Home is a great easy to follow article for parents from Joe Paprocki’s blog, Catechist’s Journey. As I’ve mentioned before, this is an opportunity for parents to connect more with their children since they are faced with lots of together time.

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RCL Benziger has a page full of free downloadable activities, prayers and resources perfect for the Catholic home. This link includes activities for Lent and Easter.

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Sadlier is providing, free eBooks for the Sadlier print programs, for the remainder of the year. Even if you don’t use a Sadlier series, you may access the eBooks and digital online resources for Faith Formation. Below are the instructions to access the License’s of Sadlier products. In an effort to help support your parish as you temporarily shift to flexible learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sadlier is offering the following online complimentary resources to help maintain continuity of learning.
 
            1) E-book site licenses for Religion 

                         Religion E-book Log-in

                                    Username:   SadlierStudent
                                    Password:    ReadyToLearn!    (case sensitive)
 
            2) Web resources for Teachers, Students and Families

                         Religion Online Resources Log-in  (no username or password required)

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Here’s what Ministry-To-Children has to say:
 
Wise church leaders will see this as an opportunity to pioneer new and effective technology based discipleship.  This can be a wonderful opportunity for families and kids to take ownership of their own discipleship process. Many of the ideas below will be fun memories for kids too!
 
Click here to check out their resources.

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Perfect for tablet users! Encourage parents to download the most popular kids Bible app for free to help their kids fall in love with God's Word. Learn more at bible.com/kids
 
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With churches closed temporarily, there are still great ways to unpack the Gospel readings of the week as a family. Loyola Press-Sunday Connection has come up with beautiful easy to facilitate activities and discussion questions for various age groups to ensure developmental appropriateness.   CLICK HERE  This would make a great weekly faith formation assignment to your families that are lectionary based.

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Working with teens? Check out youthministry.com. They have loaded up their site with ideas for handling the pandemic as you minister with this age group.