Children, Youth & Family Ministry

Share the Joy of Growing in God

Newman offers groups for Parents and Children (ages 3-18) so that the entire family can share the joy of growing in God together!

We believe that the most valuable support we can continue to offer in this time is to help families to pray. We continue to assist parents and their children of all ages to experience God together. As parents and a parish community, we are guided by the spiritual values of childhood and adolescence—the contemplation and enjoyment of God and the desire to make a complete gift of oneself in the home, church, and the world.

We plan to return to in-person Catechesis in 2021-2022 starting Sunday, September 12th. We will base our exact safety requirements on the plans of the surrounding school's systems. At this time, we anticipate that this will mean regular group sizes, without social distancing, but with masks for all children and catechists. We will update this policy as the schools make changes to their plans.

WEEKLY PARENT SMALL FAITH GROUPS: Join other parents who meet each week while your children are at Catechesis (Sundays 9:00 and 11:00, Thursdays 4:30). It’s a laid-back time to catch up with one another over coffee, read the Sunday Gospel together, talk about life, and pray for one another.

Monthly Marriage Enrichment/Date Nights at Newman and/or Neighborhood Potluck-style gatherings.
RESOURCES FOR FAMILY PRAYER
 

To register for any of our Children, Youth & Family groups, contact Matthew Irwin at mirwin@uncnewman.org.
 

CGS is the Montessori method applied to religious education. It is a common religious experience involving children and adults in which the religious values of childhood, primarily those values of contemplation and enjoyment of God, are predominant. This experience is shared in a place particularly prepared for the religious life of children called the atrium in which the tangible materials become an aid to the child’s prayer.

CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD (PRESCHOOL & ELEMENTARY): 

CLASSROOM-STYLE CHILDREN'S GROUPS (UPPER ELEMENTARY, 3RD TO 5TH GRADE): Join our talented group of UNC Student Catechists each week for an interactive, faith-filled learning environment as we discover what it means to be a young disciple

FIRST RECONCILIATION & FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION (2ND GRADE/OLDER): In addition to participating in weekly Catechesis, children and parents will share in prep sessions outside of their weekly group. This will include a Parent Orientation in September, one-on-one family sessions with Matthew/Catechist in October, and five Tuesday night sessions during Lent. Registration will take place in September following Parent Orientation.

MIDDLE SCHOOL (6TH TO 8TH GRADE): Join our faith-filled group of UNC Student Catechists each week this fall for an interactive, supportive community of middle-school friends growing in relationship with God.

HIGH SCHOOL SMALL FAITH GROUPS (9TH TO 12TH GRADE): Join our faith-filled group of UNC Student Catechists each week this fall for our High School Small Faith Groups (SFG)! This is a group of 6-10 students who will meet together all year long with their Catechists to grow in friendship and faith together.

CONFIRMATION (10TH GRADE/OLDER): In addition to participating in a weekly group for two or more years (9^th & 10^th grade), High School teens (with their parents) will share in prep sessions outside of their weekly group. This will include a Parent Orientation in September, one-on-one family sessions with Matthew/Catechist as needed in October, and five weekly sessions during Lent. Registration will take place in September following Parent Orientation.