After School Program

Afterschool Program Hopes

A fundamental component of the Center is the ability to operate an after-school program.  While this program is intended to build a strong generation of Catholics and will offer learning components grounded in faith, it will be open to all members and faiths within the community.  

• A committee has been formed to bring details to the program and discuss operationalizing the design: 
• The program will run during the school year several days a week.    
• Two days will provide Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – a Montessori-based catechetical program that engages children holistically in experiential prayer, understanding of liturgy, and Scripture via hands-on materials.
• The remaining day(s) will have a strong intergenerational and community focus and will include various skill sharing activities like cooking, sewing, finance etc. 
• Parents will be occationally invited for family learning.
• A meal during the program and transportation will be provided for children to the Center is being explored.
• Additional programing (music, acting, dance, etc) will be offered to experience the people and cross-cultural barriers.
• Additional, more “traditional,” Catholic practices for a new generation will be brought back in the form of Liturgy of the Hours, centering prayer, and a Children’s Choir (pending availability of Music Ministry).

The community component will take time to develop through relationships and trust; therefore, there will be a period of study and preparation for parish and those involved in the programming as we learn more about real community needs through funded field trips, symposiums and conferences.