"All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children."
— Isaiah 54:13
"All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children."
— Isaiah 54:13
The Mary Program is for elementary-aged children (1st-6th grade) who don't attend St. Mary's, but would still like to receive a deep Catholic education. Our youngsters learn about the basics of the faith (and then some), and receive sacramental prep for First Communion and First Reconciliation (if applicable).
On top of that, 1st-3rd graders are grouped with one another and 4th-6th graders with one another, with the two group sizes typically ranging from 5-10 kids. With such small class sizes, this means your child's needs and faith-related questions will receive significantly more attention than in a normal-sized class setting. We have a group of young adult teachers who are enthusiastic about Christ and about Catholicism, and who love guiding our youth closer to heaven! They also incorporate fun games and activities, making class a blast for your child.
With Westphalia already having a deep devotion to our Blessed Mother (hence the name), we are honored to hold a youth program praising her name. Our Blessed Mother Mary loves these children more than we could ever imagine, and we hope she helps lead them ever closer to her Son. "To Jesus, through Mary!"
Please contact Austin Fox at afox@stmarychurch.net if you have any questions about The Mary Program.
Favorite saint: Mother Mary
Quote you live by: "It is in Jesus that we find out who we are and what we are living for."
Favorite part of being Catholic: As a Catholic, I find profound purpose in the faith's ultimate aim: to attain heaven. Catholicism provides a framework through which we can know, love and serve God, fostering a deep and personal relationship with Him.
Why you enjoy leading youngsters to Christ: I am passionate about guiding young people to Christ, because it is during these formative years that their hearts can be ignited with a fervent love for Him. This early devotion can blossom into a lifelong relationship with their Father. I believe it is our sacred duty to share our love of Christ, nurturing their potential to become saints.
Favorite saint: Mother Mary
Quote you live by: “Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
Favorite part of being Catholic: Eucharistic Adoration drowns out the noise of the world.
Why you enjoy leading youngsters to Christ: I was blessed to have been led when I was younger, so I want to lead others and make a difference.
Favorite saint: Blessed Chiara Luce Badano
Quote you live by: "Pray, hope and don't worry."
— Padre Pio
Favorite part of being Catholic: The community and knowing that God is always with me and will help me through every good and bad time in my life.
Why you enjoy leading youngsters to Christ: It is important to help children know that a strong faith is important and planting the seed this young will help them realize this.
Favorite saint: Saint Faustina
Quote you live by: "Nunc coepi" (Begin again). Every day is a new opportunity to grow in holiness.
Favorite part of being Catholic: My favorite part about being Catholic is partaking in the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation. In the Eucharist, we participate in Jesus' sacrifice in a life-giving way. In Reconciliation, we receive His mercy and forgiveness, gifts that are never earned but are freely given.
Why you enjoy leading youngsters to Christ: It is never too late to learn about Jesus Christ, but learning about Him as a child builds a strong foundation of faith. Children’s hearts are soft and open, making them ready to receive His teachings. Jesus Himself reminds us in Matthew 18:3: “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” I carry a deep desire to share the Good News with children so they may know there is a God Who sees them, knows them, and loves them uniquely. My hope is that they experience Jesus’ love as I did in my own childhood.
Favorite saint: Saint Bernadette
Quote you live by: "Don’t count the days, make the days count."
Favorite part of being Catholic: My favorite thing about being Catholic is always knowing God is there to help me and guide me through every moment of life.
Why you enjoy leading youngsters to Christ: I enjoy leading children to help them grow their relationships with Christ.