Blessed John XXIII Parish

Education

Introduction

The mission of our educational apostolate is to guide individuals to:

Respond to God's call to personal conversion.

Form Christian community.

Grow in knowledge and culture, becoming enlightened and enlivened by faith.

Shape society in the spirit of Gospel freedom, justice, and love.
There are six tasks of catechesis:

Promoting knowledge of faith

Liturgical education

Moral formation

Education on how to pray

Education for community life

Missionary initiation
There are ten primary areas of catechesis: early childhood, the Catholic school, children, adolescents, young adults, adults, families, elderly, persons with disabilities and the marginalized. Our parish strives to provide opportunities for faith growth in all these areas.

Adult Faith Formation

Adult faith formation is "essential to who we are and what we do as Church" and must be "situated not at the periphery of the Church's educational mission but at its center." Their formation in faith is essential for the Church to carry out its mandate to proclaim the Good news of Jesus to the world." (Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: 39, 42) Many adult faith formation opportunities are offered at Blessed John XXIII, including:
Men of Action - Men's faith sharing on Thursdays at 5:30 pm
Women's Bible Study - Mondays, 5:30 pm
Bible Sharing - upcoming Sunday Readings, Thurs 9:30-11 am
St. Matthew Great Adventure Bible Study - all school year long on Sunday nights
MOM's group - Friday, 9:30 am
Adult Session during RE classes - whole parish invited.
Parish mission during Lent
Seder Meal on Palm Sunday for first communion and RCIA families
RCIA for those who would like to become Catholic
RE families: 1-5th - most RE done at home so parents learn with kids
For more information or to register for any of these opportunities, contact the Pastoral Associate.

Catholic Schools

Holy Family School System - Preschool - 8th Grade

Our parish school is a consolidation of the parishes of St. Jude, St. Ludmila, Blessed John XXIII, St. Patrick Cedar Rapids. Together they constitute what is known as The Holy Family School System.

The Holy Family School System provides a preschool through eighth grade educational program with approximately 600 students in attendance. Staff members create an educational atmosphere where Catholic values are taught and infused into a sound academic curriculum. In addition to the educational program, the school offers many additional activities like band, show choir, and athletic opportunities.

The Holy Family School maintains high educational standards and has established the spiritual, academic, civic, and psychological well being of its students and its priorities. Mutual involvement of the school with parents, parish and community are important elements in the overall operation of the school.

The Holy Family School takes pride in being a quality Catholic educational institution, as well as being a school which teaches and promotes the gospel values of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Our parish campus' are located at:

St. Jude Center (P,K,1,2)
3700 1st Avenue, NW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405
Phone: (319) 396-7818
Fax: (319) 390-0952
Administrator: Ronda Krystofiak
Holy Family - St Jude Center

St. Ludmila Center (P,3,4)
215 21st. Ave. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: (319) 362-1943
Fax: (319) 364-4149
Administrator: Janet Whitney
Holy Family - St. Ludmilla Center

La Salle Center (5,6,7,8)
3700 1st Avenue, NW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405
Phone: (319) 396-7792
Fax: (319) 390-6527
Administrator: Rick Louk
Holy Family - La Salle Center

Please call the school office for additional information or to make an appointment to tour the school.
Thank you for your interest in the Holy Family School System.

Xavier High School

Blessed John XXIII is a member parish of the Cedar Rapids Metro Catholic Education System's one High School. The mission of Xavier High School is to develop the total person in a Catholic environment.

Xavier High School
6300 42nd Street NE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52411
Phone: (319) 294-6635
Fax: (319) 294-6712
Principal: Tom Keating
Xavier High School
Cedar Rapids Metro Catholic Schools

Religious Education Program

2010-11 Blessed John XXIII Religious Education Program

We have a family based religious education program. We emphasize that the central time of learning for both adults and children is at weekend Mass. At Mass we learn from scripture readings, homilies, prayers, and rituals. We are nourished by the Eucharist, and experience ourselves as a member of The Body of Christ.

In addition to learning from Mass, children will receive religious education in classes offered by the parish as well as from lessons completed with their family. (This supports our belief that parents are the primary teachers of their children.) Parents are provided with materials to teach their children at home. As the children get older, the parish offers classes to help the children grow in their faith within peer groups. Parents are invited to teach or help with these classes. Parents are also asked to attend Adult Faith Formation sessions that are held during class times.

Kindergarten-1stgrade
Children learn at home and go to Mass on Saturday or Sunday. Parents teach prayers, Bible stories and morals. If religious education books are desired, they are available for $20.

2nd-5th Grades
Meet once a month on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:15-7:30 pm at the St. Patrick School. Most months there is an additional gathering for these children and their parents for prayer and social justice activities. On the two or three weeks when no class is scheduled, students and parents work on chapters at home (one per week). These at-home chapters are reviewed during class time, and a new topic is covered.

6th-8th Grades
Meet twice per month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 6:15-7:30 pm, normally at the St. Patrick School. They are also given assignments to complete at home. Each month a core class and a life issues class is held. Parents are invited to join class twice per year for a session with the students. This special session is held in St. Patrick church basement.

9th grade (confirmation I)
Meets twice per month on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of month from 7:30-8:45 pm at John XXIII. They also do a group service project once a month.

10th Grade (confirmation II)
Meets twice per month on 1st and 3rd Wednesday of month from 7:30-8:45 pm at John XXIII. There are also service requirements and a required retreat.

Youth Community Fun Nights
For 6th graders and older. Are held at John XXIII once per month (3rd Saturday) following Mass and pizza. (games, movies, etc)

Adult Faith Formation
Parents of 2nd-8th graders attend sessions during the children's class times. These sessions are held in the St. Patrick church basement. A variety of topics are covered. Each session relates to the parents' role as catechist for their children and includes prayer, presentation, discussion, and community building. The same topic is offered 2 different times each month:
1st Wednesday of the month from 6:15-7:30 pm
2nd Wednesday of the month from 6:15-7:30 pm

Parents of 9th and 10th graders meet occasionally during student's class times at John XXIII.

Fees for Religious Education program:
K-1st grade: $20/student
2nd-10th grade: $75/student

Religious Education Cancellations:
Check KCRG for cancellations.
www.kcrg.com/cancellations

Youth Activities

Teens are encouraged to participate in the following youth activites:

Catholic HEART Workcamp - an annual service trip
Semi-annual NCYC participation (National Catholic Youth Conference)
TEC - Teens Encounter Christ, a weekend retreat for seniors
Quest Retreat - overnight retreat for freshmen and sophomores
Monthly teen activity nights following Saturday Mass and meal (usually pizza)
Local Service projects

Vacation Bible School

Each summer a weeklong Vacation Bible school is held at the John XXIII site. Children must be age 5 by September 15 through those entering 6th grade. It is an enriching, rewarding, and faith-filled experience. We are busy with songs, dances, stories, games, crafts and snacks. Teens and adults are invited to help lead the activities.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

All children from ages 3 or 4 through the beginning of second grade are invited to participate in the Children's Liturgy of the Word during most 10 am Sunday Masses. The children begin Mass with their families. Prior to the scripture readings, the priest invites the children to come forward. The children then process to the parish center for their Liturgy of the Word. During the Preparation of the Gifts the children return to their families in the pews. The Children's Liturgy of the Word is a time for children to gather, pray together, and read and discuss the readings of the day at their level.