Parents and Children's Ministry - St. Mary's Parish

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Pope John Paul I stated,

“… the future of the world and of the Church passes through the family.”

St. Mary’s Parish supports families through our Parent and Child Education-Counseling Ministry. Our goal is to increase confidence and enjoyment of parenting by providing up-to-date education in the areas of physical, mental, emotional, social, creative,, and spiritual development. Programs are offered in a supportive and friendly atmosphere where parents are able to meet peers to learn, pray, share feelings and concerns, and develop friendships.

Our educational programs and blessing services include:

Discovering and Caring for Our Babies – Monday afternoons at 1:00 pm.

Discovering and Caring for Our Toddlers and Preschoolers - Wednesday mornings at 9:30 am.

1, 2, 3, 4 Parenting Program – For parents of children from 1 to 4 years old.
Free Introductory Sessions: Tuesday, April 19, 2010, at 12 noon and 7:30 p.m.

Active Parenting Now 3 – A New 3 Chapter Program for parents of children from 5 to 12 years old. Free Introductory Sessions: Tuesday, March 2, 2010, at 12:00 noon and 7:30 pm.

Active Parenting of Teens Program: New 3rd Edition – For parents of teens.
Free Introductory Sessions: Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm.

Expectant Parents’ Masses - Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the 8:30 and 9:45 am Masses.

Children’s Blessing – A Thursday in October 2010, at 11:00 am

Rainbows for All of God’s Children and Prism Programs –
The next Parent Information Meeting for these programs will be in October 2010.

Resource Library - Spirituality, Parenting, Child Development, Grief/Bereavement, Divorce, Addictions, and Self Esteem for Adults and Children, …

Topics presented in these parenting programs include: choosing to be a active parent; encouraging our children’s self-esteem, courage and responsibility; understanding our children’s behavior and redirecting misbehavior with effective discipline; developing family problem solving with cooperation and communication; and family spirituality.

Catherine Cwiakala, LMSW, is our Parenting Ministry Director and leads all programs. Catherine also provides parent counseling and play therapy for children. For more information and/or to sign up for a program, please call the Parenting Ministry Office, at 896-6400.