St. Mary’s Parents and Children’s Ministry Programs

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:

Expectant Parents’ Masses - Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the 9:45 am Masses - Violet Flyer

 

Children’s Blessing – Thursday, in October 2011, at 11:00 am - Yellow Flyer

 

Discovering and Caring for Our Babies – Please call for an appointment. Yellow Brochure

 

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

  
1, 2, 3, 4 Parenting Program * – For Parents of children from 1 to 4 years of age  - Free Introductory Sessions: Tuesday,  May 10, 2011, at 10:00 am and 7:30 pm - Salmon Flyer

Active Parenting Now * – For parents of children from 5 to 12 years of age - Free Introductory Sessions: Thursday, March 24, 2011, at 12:00 noon and 7:00 pm. Blue Flyer

Active Parenting of Teens Program: New 3rd Edition*– For parents of teens. Free Introductory Sessions: Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm - Bright Green Flyer

 

* 1, 2 3, 4 Parenting Program, Active Parenting Now, and Active Parenting of Teens Program : New 3rd Edition can be previewed at www.activeparenting.com .

 

Topics presented in the Active Parenting Programs include: choosing to be an 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.

 

Rainbows for All of God’s Children ** - One support group for children who are experiencing parental separation or divorce and another for children whose families have serious illness and/or death. Orange Brochure for Divorce and Yellow Brochure for Death

Prism ** - One support/education program for divorced and separated parents and the other for widowed single parents, and parents in families dealing with serious illness- Step-parents are welcome - Blue Flyer

 

The Rainbow and Prism Programs will begin in October 2011.

** Rainbows for All of God’s Children and Prism Programs can be previewed at www.rainbows.org

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Catherine E. Cwiakala, LMSW

Parent Counseling  *  Child/Parent Play Therapy

Educational Group Leader  *  Parenting Ministry Director

 

St. Mary, Mother of the Church

103 Jackson Street, PO Box 780, Fishkill, NY 12524

Phone: (845) 896-6400                                                Fax: (845) 896-4575