HEROES ROCK

A FAMILY PRAYER

God made us a family.
 We need one another.
We help one another.
We forgive one another.
We love one another.
 We play together.
We work together.
We celebrate together.
We praise God together.
 Thank you, God,
for our special family.
Amen.

Downloadable Documents

•  I Am Special" Mission
•  "I Am Special" Overview
•  "I Am Special" Program director
•  Volunteers - We need you!
•  Top ten reasons to be an "I Am Special" Catechist
•  2008-2009 Theme Calendar
• Register Your Child for "I AM SPECIAL"
• Grade One Calendar
• Grade Two Calendar
  
  
   
•  Approach For Children
•  Program Philosophy
•  Program Objectives
•  "I Am Special" Family Handbook
•  To "I Am Special" Volunteers... Thanks!
•  Health and Emergency Form
  
  

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR     
Faith Formation Family Mass
February 7, 2009 at 4:30 P.M.

                    
                  IAS Catechists                

"I Am Special" mission

“I Am Special” is an early childhood faith formation program designed to help young children at the preschool level discover their special qualities and importance in God’s creation. The program develops the Christian attitudes of caring, helping, sharing, and nurturing a positive relationship with a loving God.
 

"I Am Special" overview

This preschool religious education program is designed to support parents in educating their children about the Catholic faith by helping children:

• To develop positive attitudes about themselves, their family, and friends by
discovering and learning more about the many gifts, talents, and abilities that God
has provided:

• To increase the children’s knowledge about God and their friendship with Jesus;

• To increase the children’s knowledge and practice of Christian actions toward
others, such as taking turns, listening, helping, waiting, caring, sharing, loving,
and thanking others;

• To increase the children’s appreciation and celebration of God’s love and
goodness through Scripture, music, and prayer.

This preschool religion program is designed to stimulate the faith development of children ages three to five by providing them with the following opportunities:

• Reinforcement of Christian values and attitudes being taught at home;

• Participation in Christian learning experiences and activities geared to their level;

• An introduction to community worship through active participation in prayer and
song;

• Fellowship and fun with other children their age.

“I Am Special” provides learning experiences based on preschool children’s level of
understanding and ability to participate. Through the media of stories, songs, finger
plays, games, dramatizations, lesson-related prayers, and sensorial activities, children can sense God’s love for them. Above all, a pleasant relationship between catechist (religion teacher) and children in a religion class not only exemplifies God’s love but also aids the children in forming patterns of social behavior and Christian attitudes toward others.

"I Am Special" Coordinator


Deb Sinna has been the director of the “I Am Special” program since 1996.

Deb earned her BA in Education at the College of ST. Catherine in 1977. She has been a licensed early childhood, kindergarten, and elementary teacher for over twenty-five  years. She recently graduated from St. Paul College with an Early Childhood Administration Degree sponsored by MN chapter of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).

She and her family have been members of St. John’s Parish since 1980. She has served on many parish committees and was an elementary teacher in the school for thirteen years.

Deb loves her ministry with young children. She especially enjoys planning prayer gatherings, sing-a-longs, and special programs with her Sunday morning friends.

Volunteers We Need YOU!

Volunteers are the life blood of the “I Am Special” program. The catechists who volunteer come from many professional backgrounds. They are not trained educators, but do a wonderful job sharing their faith with the IAS children.
*Training is provided.

The program also recruits youth helpers that assist the catechists weekly in the classrooms. Youth assistants must be in the 4th grade or above. *The IAS program is a terrific opportunity for Confirmation candidates to earn service hours.

PLEASE consider volunteering for this ministry! It is very rewarding! The program cannot exist without you! For more information, leave a message for Deb at 651-288-3260.