The Aquinas Newman Center is committed to providing faith formation programs for children, youth, and adults which foster a living, conscious, and active faith by:
- effectively proclaiming the Christian message;
- building community both in the parish and home environment;
- using formational models incorporating age-appropriate cognitive (believing), affective (trusting), and behavioral (doing) lessons and activities.
- supporting and celebrating the role of the family in forming children's faith;
- challenging members to transform their relationships, environment, and society to reflect the Reign of God.
- motivating community members to serve each other and the wider community.
- partnering with families, parish ministries, and the broader community who share common concerns about the state of our children and youth in our city, state, and nation.
Children.s Programs
Children.s Liturgy of the Word
Sunday during the 9:00am LiturgyChildren.s Liturgy of the Word provides children from 3 years old through 1st grade an age-appropriate experience of the Liturgy of the Word.
Following the Gathering Rites, the children are invited into the Dominican Chapel where they proclaim and explore the Sunday scripture readings before returning to the main church for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Children.s Liturgy of the Word is open to all and does not require registration.
Religious Formation Classes for Grades K-5
Wednesday Evenings from 6:30 to 7:30In the primary grades, our program presents the rites, rituals, and doctrines of the Catholic Faith in a coordinated and systematic way over the course of the six years. Using the Blest Are We series as its foundation, this approach presents an overall theme each year, divided into weekly lessons.
Blessed Are We is founded on the 4 pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church ( What Catholics Believe, How Catholics Worship, How Catholics Live, and How Catholics Pray) and focuses on traditional themes each year. Each lesson develops a connection between the student.s life experiences and the Catholic faith using scripture, church teachings, discussion or activities. This connection assists students in not only learning about their faith but making concrete applications of the theme to their daily lives. In addition, Blessed Are We provides with on-line support to assist families in covering missed lessons.
The primary grades approach catechesis holistically. Faith cannot, and should not, stand alone, separate from the world around us. As such, the classroom experience of every student will reflect aspects of social justice, prayer, fellowship, and worship. Each class strives to integrate the particular lesson with the everyday life and challenges of the students.
Our goal in the primary grades is to help students articulate and express their changing understanding of God in their lives. We try within the primary grades to provide students with the knowledge and foundation needed to make mature moral decisions Mid-school, High School, and Young Adult years.
F.I.R.E. . Family Intergenerational Religious Education
One Sunday a Month from 1:00 to 3:00 PMReflecting our understanding that the heart of faith formation lies within the Christian community, Aquinas Newman Center is proud and excited to offer F.I.R.E., an intergenerational formation program which combines theological foundations with the lived experience of the community gathered to celebrate Christ in their lives.
F.I.R.E. encourages children, youth, and adults to gather together to explore core aspects of their lives and their faith. The sessions are part lecture, part personal reflection, and part group discussion providing children and youth with realistic examples of living their faith in the real world; and adults with new perspectives and challenges for deepening their understanding of Christ in their lives.
F.I.R.E. is open to all members of the Aquinas Newman Center. We request that participants register by contacting Kyle Kemp. Director of Religious Formation.
| 2008 Sessions | |
| January 27 | Becoming a Sacramental People |
| February 24 | Worshipping God in Liturgy and in Life |
| March 16 | The Paschal Mystery and Triduum |
| April 27 | Being Christian and Being Catholic |
Home-schooling
The Second Vatican Council, recognizing the parish's role and duty in the formation of its members, observed that parents remain the primary catechist for their children. We work closely with parents who choose to form their children.s faith within the home environment.Once aware of the desire to home-school, the Director of Religious Formation will meet with the family to discuss which curricula best meets the faith needs of the family. Once chosen the family and religious formation office work together in partnership to make sure that faith needs are continuing to be met.
Children preparing for Reconciliation and Eucharist proceed at their own pace, meeting occasionally with the Director of Religious Formation to ensure proper understanding of the sacraments. Once prepared, the family can schedule the celebration of the sacraments at their convenience. If you are interested in following this path, please contact Kyle Kemp for additional information and resources.
Mid. and High School Programs
Mid-School Program (Grades 6-8)
Wednesday Evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM6th, 7th and 8th graders are beginning to transition from dependence to independence. What is often viewed as rebelling against the church is, most likely, the establishing of a personal faith separate from their parents. They are looking for connections between faith, peers, friends, and family; searching for answers to questions they can not even articulate.
The mid-school program is sensitive to this dynamic. It covers various Catholic themes in a structured, safe environment which encourages youth to ask questions and get honest answers. The program strives to introduce students to the tools which they will need to develop a well formed conscience, applying the teachings and doctrines of the church to their lives as they grow towards adulthood.
High School Program (Grades 9-12)
In Development
The high school years are pivotal in the formation of an individual.s faith. In these years, youth are exploring who they are and what they believe in an environment where they are constantly challenged to try new experiences, both healthy and unhealthy. Faith Formation needs to offer an open invitation for these youth to explore and celebrate their Catholic identity in an environment which is nourishing and nurturing without being forceful or controlling.Aquinas Newman Center is currently in the process of developing a high school program which will balance these different aspects while encompassing the ministries of Social Justice, Worship, Formation, and Fellowship. If you are interested in assisting in the development of the program or would like to get involved with the youth, please contact Kyle Kemp . Director of Religious Formation.
Adult Programs
Aquinas Newman Center offers a variety of opportunities for adults to engage and deepen their faith. Some are on-going while others are limited in their time and scope. Please refer to the weekly bulletin for current offerings.If you have a suggestion for future adult formational opportunities or topics, please contact Kyle Kemp to discuss.
Scripture Study with Ben Baran
Ben Baran is a notable scripture scholar offering a weekly class at Aquinas Newman Center on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM.Faith Sharing Groups
Aquinas Newman Center sponsors and assists on-going faith sharing groups. Whether you are interested in joining a current group or hosting your own, faith sharing is a wonderful way to both deepen your own faith and provide new faith perspectives for others. For more information, or to sign-up, contact Kyle KempDominican Ecclesial Institute
Sponsored in part by the Aquinas Newman Center, the Dominican Ecclesial Institute (D+E+I) offers a variety of excellent formational opportunities for adults to learn more about their faith. Their classes are hosted by various parishes within the Archdiocese making them convenient for Catholics throughout Albuquerque. For more information on D+E+I and a list of current class offerings, please visit their website http://www.d-e-i.org/Baptism
(for those under the age of 7)Preparation for the Baptism of infants and children up to the age of 7 is the responsibility of the parents.
Parents need to register for, and attend the Baptismal Preparation program offered monthly except during the Lenten season. The program covers the history, theology, and symbolism of the sacrament as well as the logistics of the baptismal celebration itself.
The person being baptized will need two sponsors who are confirmed Catholics, over the age of 16 and in good standing in their home parishes. If necessary, one sponsor can be a non-catholic Christian witness.
Sponsors need to attend the Baptismal Preparation program as well. If they are coming from out of town, they can attend their home parish.s program.
(for those age 7 or older)
When a person reaches the age of reason (7 years old), he or she becomes responsible for choosing to become a member of the Catholic Church. In order to ensure that they understand what becoming a Catholic entails we have developed the Rite of Christian Initiation journey (RCIC for children / RCIA for adults). The journey typically begins in late summer and runs through the celebration of Easter.
Contact us
Please call or e-mail
Raymond Jones sojot@earthlink.net 265-4019; Kyle Kemp kyle@aquinasnm.org 247-1094 ext 15,Reconciliation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation calls to mind our sinfulness and celebrates God.s infinite love for us. Children celebrating reconciliation should have an age appropriate understanding of making wrong choices, asking for, and receiving, God.s forgiveness. Children are prepared to celebrate Reconciliation as part of their preparation program for the Sacrament of Eucharist. Students celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time with their family in December.Eucharist
Eucharist is the greatest gift that Christ gave us, and as such, preparation for the sacrament occurs in 2nd and 3rd grade. Children celebrate the sacrament in Spring of their 3rd grade year.As it is a two year program, students starting our program at the beginning of their 3rd grade year have two options:
- Provide a letter from another parish.s program or Catholic school confirming attendance in 2nd grade religious formation classes.
- Place the child in second grade allowing the child to celebrate the sacrament at the end of his/her academic 4th grade year. The student would then join his/her peers in 5th grade.
Students in 4th grade or above who have not celebrated Reconciliation and/or Eucharist will be placed in their academic grade level and attend additional classes to prepare for the sacraments.
Confirmation
High School StudentsConfirmation completes the Sacraments of Initiation and celebrates the special place within us where the Holy Spirit resides. The sacramental preparation program challenges youth to explore the meaning and importance of their faith.
Preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation at Aquinas Newman Center consists of attendance at 10 preparatory sessions over the course of two years, generally 9th and 10th grades. This format allows youth to take responsibility for their own faith journey while offering the flexibility which is so important in high school.
Students at Pius X High School need to attend 5 sessions in their 10th grade year.
Those preparing for Confirmation is required to attend a Confirmation retreat and complete required service project(s).
Adults
Individuals who have graduated from High School without celebrating the sacrament of Confirmation , are invited to participate in the Adult Confirmation program. Offered separately in the Fall and in the Spring, the program meets over the course of several sessions to explore and discuss the history, theology and symbolism of the sacrament.
The Adult Confirmation program is open to adults who have been properly formed in the Catholic faith and should not be considered an alternative to the RCIA journey.
Religious Formation Update
The Religious Formation Update is the monthly newsletter for the Aquinas Newman Center and its partner parish, St. Charles Borromeo. The latest edition of the newsletter is available in the gathering space and by clicking the links below. If you would like to have the newsletter delivered to your email, please contact Kyle Kemp. Newsletter Archive:2008
Jan.pdfFeb.pdf
April.pdf
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Volunteer Opportunities
Due to the nature of faith Formation programs, our greatest need for volunteers occurs in the months of July and August as we prepare for a new program year. At that time we are looking for catechists (teachers), assistants, program coordinators, facilitators and team members. These positions generally require a commitment from September through April. Currently, we are looking for people to help develop a vision for the 2008-2009 program year. These individuals are needed to help the new Director of Religious Formation understand and address the unique needs of the Aquinas Newman Center and the kinds of programs which will effectively address their faith needs and questions.I urge you to seriously consider becoming a part of this vital link to the needs of our member families. Your time commitment is negligible while your voice and ideas can be invaluable to the continuation and strengthening of our programs.
Contact If you are interested in lending your voice and your time please contact