I am not a parent making the decisions to send my children to school and activities (...though I am a "Grandma Consultant"). But, in planning for Family Program this year I have wondered, if I were a parent, what would I want to know about this 2020-21 Family Program Year?
I would want to know:
1. Will my family be safe when I come to Family Program?
I can assure you that every possible precaution to keep you and your children safe is being considered and addressed. We are working very hard to minimize any possible risk factors and set up spaces and protocols to maximize safety and comfort for all participants. If you have been to Mass, hopefully you have seen how carefully every aspect of safety protocol is being followed, as we continue being Church. A safe environment for our Family Program, just as at Mass and in our day school, is our top priority!
2. What will it be like to be in such a large group?
In fact, you will not be in as large a group as you have been other years. This is being addressed in the way we're organizing groups and setting up spaces.
3. Will it be different than it has been in the past?
Family Program will be different, in that we will meet in more spaces with fewer people, with each space allowing for relating within social distancing and safety protocols. So, imagine your family at your own table, several feet from other families. Imagine every space available to us in this complex, having small faith sharing communities of families.
To accomplish this, we will have half the families meet once a month and the other half at another time of the month. In addition to this once a month meeting in-person, the same group of families will meet virtually for a Family Program session from your home with materials and a facilitator from the parish.
4. Why should I sign up for Family Program this year?
More than ever, in light of all that is going on in our world, we need God's grace! The grounding a faith community gives us, can be both a gift to us and vital for our children. We are facing questions and concerns that may be more significant than any we have ever faced. What can help us with this? Isn't God's love and benevolent care what we must count on most? If we are going to be a faith community, we need to be in relationship. We believe that the Holy Spirit will hover over our gatherings-- protecting, guiding, and strengthening us in special ways. Is there a better gift to give our children, especially this year? I can't think of a single one!
To learn more, attend one of our parent meetings
in September.
Sign up HERE.
To register for the 2020-21 Family Program, click HERE.
