This section of our website includes information
regarding education through the parish.
It begins with Christian Formation for our
children and transitions to the Sacraments of
Baptism, Marriage, Reconciliation and Holy orders.
It also concludes with information regarding
the Education Commission and the parish’s
For more information on Billings Catholic Schools, click here.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION
| Christian
Formation Calendar |
Mission Statement
Our mission is to accept children where they are in
their faith growth. To affirm their family
traditions and to challenge them to see Catholicism
as a way of life, by living the Good News. To build
a strong support network with the parish community
and to give them the tools they need to stay strong
in their faith.
Formation Process
Christian Formation Calendar
2009-2010
Christian Formation Registration Form
Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children.
Education on the faith by the parents should begin in the child's earliest
years. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of
instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to
pray and to discover their vocation as children of God.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
1. Home is the child's first faith community. Traditions and rituals celebrated
and passed on in the home is preparation for full and active participation
within the parish community.
2. The parish community is the child's second faith community. Traditions and
rituals celebrated within the parish should honor the home and bring about full
and active participation within the parish community.
3. School and recreational activities are the child's third faith community.
This community is more diverse and has more challenges and pressures as they
witness to others by their words and actions.
4. The parish formation process seeks to help the child actively live the Good
News, through knowledge of scripture, sacraments, traditions, prayer and ritual,
all of which builds on what they are receiving in each one of their faith
communities.
PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN
These classes are offered during the Sunday morning Mass 9am – 10am and 11:00 am
- 12:00pm. The material used for preschool is "Godly Play. Classes are held in
the lower level of the
PRIMARY
Sessions for grades 1 through 6 meet weekly, classes are offered Monday -
Wednesday, 4:15 - 5:30 p.m. and These classes are held in the lower level of the
REGISTRATION FOR STUDENTS IN PRESCHOOL - 6TH GRADE
1.
Families
must be registered in the Parish before registering students for Religious
Formation.
a.
b.
c.
3.
Fees per family per year
a.
b.
c.
Fees can be reduced or waived for volunteering within the program.
No child is turned away, scholarships are available.
SACRAMENT PREPARATION
Contact
The Restored Order of the Sacraments of Initiation was adopted by the Diocese of
Great Falls-Billings in 1996. Therefore, it is the norm at St. Pius X Parish, to
confirm children prior to their First Eucharist.
Children are prepared to celebrate Reconciliation (Penance), Confirmation, and
First Eucharist (First Communion) in the second grade or about the age of seven.
Preparation takes place with the family as well as the parish Religious
Formation classes. Preparation for Reconciliation takes place in the fall of the
year. In class preparation for Confirmation and Eucharist begins in January and
concludes with the celebration of the Sacraments in the Easter Season.
Children are required to have at least one year of formal religious education
prior to the year they wish to celebrate their sacraments. This is either done
within the parish program or in the Catholic school system. Children beyond the
second grade or older than seven may seek to be confirmed at anytime, as long as
there has been active participation with in the parish for at least one year.
If you have a child that is not baptized or if the child is in third grade or
above please contact
Karyn Haider @ 406-656-2522.
BAPTISM
Infant Baptism
Contact should be made at any time during pregnancy or following the birth of
your child. The sacrament is normally celebrated at one of the Sunday liturgies.
These are scheduled at different times throughout the year. Parent preparation
classes are required.
Contact: Karyn Haider at 406.656.2522.
Child Baptism
Contact should be made as soon as baptism is desired. The process of preparation
is dependent on the age and background of your child. Normally if your child is
younger than age six then preparation is similar to that of infant baptism and
the sacrament is celebrated at one of the scheduled Sunday Baptismal liturgies.
For those children who are older the process follows the Rite of Christian
Initiation of Adults - adapted for Children. The preparation takes 1-2 years and
the sacraments (which would then include Confirmation and Eucharist) are
normally celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
Contact: Karyn Haider at 406.656.2522.
Adult
Baptism - Rite of Christian of Adults (RCIA)
Contact should be made whenever one is led by the Spirit to become a member of
the Catholic community. Preparation usually takes 1-2 years but varies depending
on each individual's experience. The sacraments are celebrated at the Easter
Vigil. (More information on RCIA)
Contact: Karyn Haider at 406.656.2522.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation and First Eucharist
Contact Person: Director of Christian Formation
RECONCILIATION
Reconciliation:
The sacrament may be
celebrated Saturday
afternoons from 3:30
to 4:30 p.m. or by
appointment with Fr
Steve Tokarski.
First Reconciliation:
Director of
Christian Formation
Traditionally First
Reconciliation is
celebrated in a
communal setting.
ANOINTING
THE SICK
Anointing of the Sick Contact Person: Fr. Steve Tokarski
When should arrangements for this sacrament be made? As soon as an illness becomes serious or whenever a surgery is planned. The Sacrament can be repeated if a crisis arises or if the person’s condition worsens.
Where should the sacrament take place? It is desirable to celebrate anointings in a parish liturgical gathering, for example at the 8:00 a.m. daily Mass, or at one of our week-end “Anointing of the Sick” liturgies (held approximately 3 times yearly at the late mass on Sunday morning). This setting is ideal because a large part of the worshiping community is gathered, the readings have been especially selected and the homily reflects the Sacrament.
A home setting is also appropriate, especially when friends and family are able to gather.
Anointings can also be done in the hospital but the patient is usually more anxious in this setting and hospital procedures tend to interrupt the prayer.
MARRIAGE PREPARATION
Marriage Contact Person:
Karyn Haider 656-2522.
Initial contact to schedule and prepare for marriage must be done a minimum of six months prior to the wedding date the couple has chosen. At least one of the couple must be Catholic and a member of our parish community to be eligible to have the wedding at St. Pius X. Preparation consists of meetings with the pastoral minister, liturgical coordinator, music minister and the priest or deacon who will witness your marriage. In addition to these meetings, you will need to complete a couple communication evaluation and attend one of the following: Catholic Engaged Encounter weekend, participate in the the Couple to Couple Ministry, or attend our “Decision to Love” preparation class.
Engaged Encounter is a weekend for the two of you to spend together planning a lifelong marriage, not just a wedding day. It is led by a volunteer team of two married couples and a priest, sister or deacon. In conjunction with other engaged couples, you will experience presentations by the facilitating team, personal sharing and reflection time, along with open couple discussion. It is a very memorable time for the two of you and is best completed as early in the preparation process as possible. Should you choose this method of preparation, it will be necessary to schedule a series of meetings with the pastoral minister to review the couple communication evaluation.
The Couple to Couple Ministry is a series of sessions with a married couple from our parish community who have been trained to assist engaged couples in preparation for marriage. The meetings usually take place in the home of the married couple, and are scheduled at your and their convenience. In the sessions you will review the couple communication evaluation and also discuss materials from a preparation book. The time you spend with the married couple will allow opportunities to explore marriage in all its facets in a caring and supportive atmosphere. This preparation should also be completed as early in the process as possible.
The “Decision to Love” preparation class is a chance to participate in a small classroom setting to learn about all aspects of marriage. These are a series of evening classes held once a week for three weeks. The program is led by a volunteer member of our parish who has been trained in marriage preparation and the theology of marriage. This class gives the couple opportunities to share together, as well as with the group, about the vacation of married life. The communication evaluation review will be conducted separately should you choose this method of marriage preparation.
You may choose any one or all of these preparation programs and it will be your responsibility, as a couple, to ensure that the preparation process is completed in a timely and thorough manner. Should any questions or concerns come up during your preparation please contact the pastoral minister for assistance.
HOLY ORDERS
Vocation to Priesthood & Religious Life
If anyone is interested in discussing priesthood or
religious life you can visit with Father Steve.
The
Diocesan Vocation Director: Fr. Leo McDowell,
EDUCATION
COMMISSION
The Education Commission assists the Pastor and pastoral staff in developing,
promoting, coordinating and evaluating all parish activities relating to
Christian education within the parish, and to evangelization both within and
beyond the parish. The Education Commission meets the 1st Thursday of the month
(September - May) in the
One of the Commission’s projects is providing books, tapes, videos and DVDs for
use by parishioners. Information on
the
MEDIA CENTER
Check out the Church Media Center space located in the “Bride’s Room”… second door to the right of the nursery door. This room is open after masses (as long as there is not a wedding) for you to browse the materials. It is easy to check something out. Just take the card out of the book or video and put your name, the date you are checking it out, and your phone number on the card. Then place the card in the check out box…that’s it. You are ready to take the materials home. It is just as easy to return items. There is a Media Center return box located just inside the front doors of the church (on the left as you are coming in). Just lift the lid of this box and place the materials inside. We still have the original Media Center (located in the parish office building) so if you don’t find what you are looking for, stop by during office hours and ask for the key to the Office Media Center and check out the materials there.
We have several new items in the Church Media Center. Here are just a few of them.
Padre
Pio: Miracle Man
This movie captures the
Capuchin friar’s intense faith and devotion, and
deep spiritual concern for others, as well as his
great compassion for the sick and suffering. It
reveals the amazing details and events in Padre
Pio’s life as a boy and throughout his 50 years as a
friar, dramatizing the frequent attacks of the Devil
on him, as well as the persecution he suffered at
the hands of people, including those in the church.
Available in the Media Center located in the Church
St. John Bosco: Mission to Love
Flavio Insinna gives a winning performance as John (Don) Bosco, the great priest and educator of youth from the tough streets of Turin, Italy. Beautifully filmed in Italy, this epic movie dramatizes the many challenges that Don Bosco had to overcome from this childhood through founding his religious order, the Salesians, for helping educate boys. Growing up without a father gave him compassion for the many orphans that he cared for, while he faced persecution from both secular society and the Church as he fought to build a place to house and educate the homeless, outcast youth of Turin. His deep faith, creative imagination and profound charity shine through in this wonderful film.
Available in the Media Center located in the Church
Mother Teresa
This movie stars award-winning actress Olivia Hussey (Jesus of Nazareth, The Jeweller’s Shop). Hussey gives an illuminating performance as the saintly missionary nun who brought hope, love and relief to the poorest of the poor everywhere. The film movingly portrays the muti-faceted character of Mother Teresa, including the shrewd diplomat, the determined missionary, and the fearless superior, the deeply compassionate servant of the poor and the holy bride of Christ.
Available in the Media Center
located in the Church
This
epic film follows Karol Wojtyla’s journey from his
youth in Poland through his late days on the Chair
of St. Peter. It explores his life behind the
scenes: how he touched millions of people and
changed the face of the Church and the world; how he
defended the dignity of mankind. Jon Voight’s
powerful, Emmy-nominated performance as John Paul II
has been widely praised, as has Cary Elwes’ as the
young Karol. Shot on location in Rome and Poland in
close connection with the Vatican, this is the
definitive film biography of Pope John Paul II.
Available in the Media Center located in the Church
Saints : Gospel Artists
It’s an idea inspired by Pope John Paul II. Be the saints of the new millennium, he told us. But before we can be saints, we need to know the saints. And so, it began: a pilgrimage through Germany and Italy with almost 100 Canadian university students, with visits in the towns, homes, and places of prayer of some of the saints of the Catholic Church. And the more we traveled, the more clear the picture became - there is a resemblance between holy lives lived and lives living for the holy. Join Salt + Light on an unforgettable pilgrimage and meet St. Peter, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, Blessed Rupert Mayer, St. Edith Stein, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Clare of Assisi, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, and Blessed John XXIII. Share in the lives of the young people who meet these Saints and Blesseds in a new and very personal way, and open your own heart to the possibility of becoming a saint of the new millennium. “It is the great multitude of the saints - both known and unknown - in whose lives the Lord has opened up the Gospel before us and turned over the pages; He has done this throughout history and He still does so today. In their lives, as if in a great picture book, the riches of the Gospel are revealed. They are the shining path which God Himself has traced throughout history and is still tracing today.” - Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of World Youth Day, 2005
Available in the Media Center located in the Church
Gift of the Red
Bird:
The Story of a Divine Encounter
by
Paula D’Arcy
When Paula D’Arcy lost her husband and baby in a car crash, she began an inner search for a faith that was stronger than fear. In Gift of the Red Bird she shares her remarkable spiritual adventure.
Available in the Media Center located in the Church
Scripture From Scratch
A Basic Bible Study Program
Elizabeth McNamer, Ph.D., and Virginia Smith
If you’ve always wanted to
learn about the Bible from square one, here is
square one! Scripture From Scratch® is an
experience of God’s word for all Catholic adults who
want to know more about the Bible but don’t know
where to begin. No previous Bible study is required
or expected, though Scripture From Scratch®
will benefit those who have already had some
experience with the Bible. The heart of the
Scripture From Scratch® program is 16 hours of
videotaped talks by Elizabeth McNamer and Virginia
Smith. In addition to the videocassettes, a
facilitator’s manual and a participant’s manual
expand on the material presented.
The program contains eight two-hour videocassettes
for a total of 16 hours of basic Bible study. Each
videocassette contains two one-hour sessions. Each
session lasts about 60 minutes and includes a
15-minute period of questions and answers.
Unit 1: An Overview of the Bible
Session 1: “The Bible: Where Did We Get It and How
Do We Use It?”
Session 2: “The Old Testament: What Is It and Who
Needs It?”
Session 3: “The New Testament: When Was It Written
and Why?”
Session 4: “Studying Scripture: What’s the Catholic
Approach?”
Unit 2: An Overview of the Old Testament
Session 1: “Will the Real Adam and Eve Please Stand
Up?”
Session 2: “Tribes and Territories/Kings and
Conquests”
Session 3: “A Profitable Look at the Prophets”
Session 4: “’Psalm’ of the Writings”
Unit 3: An Overview of the New Testament
Session 1: “The Appeal of Paul”
Session 2: “’Take a Letter’”
Session 3: “Luke Gets in the Act”
Session 4: “’A Real Revelation’”
Unit 4: An Overview of the Gospels
Session 1: “Mark: the Remarkable Disciple”
Session 2: “Matthew: the Mature Jew”
Session 3: “Luke: the Gentle Gentile”
Session 4: “Dear John”
If you are interested in this study, we do have Scripture from Scratch® Participant Manual available contact Marilee Nichols at marilee70@bresnan.net Available in the Media Center located in the Church
Scripture From Scratch II
The World of the Bible
Elizabeth McNamer, Ph.D., and Virginia Smith
Scripture From Scratch II: The World of the Bible presents contemporary Catholic biblical scholarship in a clear, easy-to-follow manner. The eight programs cover the world of the Bible—its geography, history and archaeology; the religious concepts of the Hebrew people; the religious life and political climate of Jesus’ day; the human identity of Jesus. The program contains almost seven hours of videotaped talks by Elizabeth McNamer and Virginia Smith recorded before a live audience. Each of these tapes is filled with maps, charts, graphical text and footage from the Holy Land. Each tape contains two 25-minute talks..
If you are interested in this study, we do have Scripture from Scratch II Participant Manuals contact Marilee Nichols at marilee70@bresnan.net
Available in the Media Center located in the Church
The Great Adventure: A
Journey Through the Bible
The Great Adventure is a Catholic Bible learning
system that makes the complex simple by teaching the
story (the narrative) of the Bible. Every day, more
and more people are encountering God’s Word through
the methods taught in these studies. The Great
Adventure has grown into a remarkable system
designed to give the average Catholic a solid
foundation for a lifetime of Bible reading.
Parishes around the world are finding renewed faith
and increased involvement among parishioners whose
lives have been changed by this exciting study
series.
Step 1: The Bible Timeline provides a clear
understanding of the underlying Scriptural
narrative, which is essential to all Bible reading
and study. The 24-part Bible Timeline Bible
Study dives deep into the Biblical story. This
Bible Timeline study is basic enough to suit
those who haven’t studied the Bible before while at
the same time offering ways to go deeper that will
challenge the Bible study veteran. Salvation history
is covered from its beginning in Genesis through the
coming of Christ and the establishment of the
Catholic Church.
Throughout the 24-part Bible Timeline, you will:
·
Read for yourself the 14 narrative
books of the Bible—the ones that tell the story—in
chronological order.
·
Learn God’s marvelous plan of
salvation history and see how your faith story fits
into “His-story.”
|
·
Study key Old Testament passages in
light of their fulfillment in Christ.
·
Learn how Catholic Tradition views the
biblical narrative and how to use the Catechism of
the Catholic Church as a study reference.
·
Gain a greater appreciation for the
Scripture readings you hear in Mass.
·
Encourage fellow Catholics as you
learn how God’s Word applies to your lives.
·
Lay a strong foundation for further
Bible reading and study.
This is a 24-part video series (twenty-four, 50 minute lessons) on 12 DVDs. Available in the Media Center located in the Church.
Step 2: Adventures in
Matthew:
The King and His Kingdom
24-Part Course (12 DVDs)
by Jeff Cavins
Step Two in The Great Adventure Bible Study
Program, Adventures in Matthew: The King and His
Kingdom, shows how Jesus builds on the
foundation laid in the Old Testament to inaugurate
the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. in this 24-part DVD
series see how Jesus relived the life and struggles
of Israel to become the faithful and victorious
King. Learn how the promises of the Old Testament
are fulfilled in Christ and his Apostles. This
series is an ideal follow-up study to the basic
narrative of Scripture taught in The Bible
Timeline course.
Available in the Media Center located in the Church.
Step 3: Adventures in Acts
20-Part Course (10 DVDs)
by Jeff Cavins
Step Three in The Great Adventure Bible Study
Program, Adventures in Acts: the Spread of the
Kingdom, builds on The Bible Timeline and
Adventures in Matthew by showing how Christ’s
Kingdom on earth is empowered to carry out his work
in the world. The book of Acts shows the Church,
enlivened by the Holy Spirit, teaching, preaching,
healing, and restoring outcasts in the same way that
Jesus did on earth. This provides an historic
framework for understanding the rest of the New
Testament. Paul’s letters in particular come alive
in a new way when they are read within the context
of the Acts narrative.
Available in the Media Center located in the Church.
Adventures in Revelation 10-Part Study (DVD)
In this intriguing look at one of the most
talked-about books in Scripture, Jeff Cavins
explores Revelation to demonstrate how the Kingdom
established by Christ in His Church is intimately
connected with the Kingdom of Heaven, especially
through the celebration of the Mass. You will also
learn what all the mysterious figures and images of
Revelation represent, as well as what will happen
during the Second Coming of Christ, what has already
happened, and what is happening now in salvation
history.
Available in the Media Center located in the Church.
Adventures in Exodus 10-Part Study (DVD)
The Exodus can be viewed as the defining moment in
Israel’s history, for it was then that God called
Israel out of slavery in Egypt and to a life of
freedom as His people. Adventures in Exodus: Called
to Freedom looks through the lens of Christ and the
Church to show that more than just seeking to free
His people physically from the domination of
Pharaoh, God desired to free His people from the far
more sinister tyranny of sin so they could live the
authentic freedom that belongs to children of God.