It’s that time again! Where did our summer go? We would like to welcome you to another year of Faith Formation. We are looking forward to working with you and your child in the coming year!

St. Patrick is welcoming Stephanie Beaver to our Catechetical Staff. Originally from Indiana, Stephanie graduated from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has taught students in many grades including 4K, Kindergarten, third, fourth, and fifth grades in Catholic schools in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. For the past 12 years, she has been a Director of Religious Education, Adult Education and a Teen Mission Trip Coordinator. Stephanie and her husband, Ben live in Columbus with their three children - Michael (11), Ella (8), and Jake (4). She is looking forward to meeting and working with all of the wonderful families at St. Patrick!

Totus Tuus Summer Catechetical Program is returning to St. Patrick's/ Immaculate Heart of Mary for the third year in a row! The team will be coming July 23-29. Grade School Program (students entering grades 1-6): Monday to Friday 9:00-2:30 at Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monona $30/child, $80/3 or more gradeschool children Middle/High School Program (students entering grades 7-12): Sunday to Thursday evenings at St. Patrick's. $10 - Snacks included.

Please take a moment to read about our Confirmation trip to Chicago. Click the link!

From 6:00-7:00 pm on Sunday, February 26 we will gather to watch Session 1 of the video series Beloved.  There will be desserts, coffee and after dinner drinks. Click for more info..

Throughout Advent, the children have been practicing weekly to put on a Christmas Pageant for the parish.  Finally on Sunday, the children were able to perform and the Real St. Nicholas told his story.

On the night of the Feast of All Souls, the faith formation students prayed for all the Souls who have died and are awaiting their eternal destination in Heaven.

On Thursday, October 27th, our faith formation students and some parishioners took a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in La Crosse. The trip was a tremendous success!....

Our faith formation students will be taking a pilgrimage next week. Learn more about the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe...

Fr. Michael and I couldn’t be more pleased with the start to this year’s religious education program.  The kids are eager to learn and are participating in fantastic discussions.  We’ve also got a solid and dedicated team of catechists.  Things are really looking good! Here's what's coming up...

This letter is many things rolled into one. An introduction, an invitation and hopefully, some inspiration....Click to read the full letter from Kristia

Kindergarten: Last year we ran a pilot offering religious education classes for kindergarteners. We have decided not to continue the pilot as evening classes are just too late in the day for the children. Parents can continue to read Bible stories and practice prayers like the Our Father and Hail Mary with their kindergarteners. Please contact Kristia Loeder if you would like more ideas for home activities. When do Classes Begin? •Family Program begins on Sunday, September 11 at 11:00 am . •9th grade Confirmation classes begin on Sunday, September 11 at 6:30 pm . Parents are required to attend this session. •1st - 8th grades begin on Wednesday, September 14 at 6:00 pm . Parents are required to attend this session. We will begin as a whole group in the church at 6:00. The rest of the session will be an open house format so that parents and children can find their classrooms and meet their teachers. Save the Date: A full day field trip is being planned for the religious education students on Thursday, October 27 . We will be traveling to La Crosse to visit the Shrine of our Lady of Guadalupe. The children of the Deerfield and MG school districts do not have school that day. What a great way to spend a day off! Search for Catechists We are still in need of a couple lead teachers and assistant teachers. Please contact Kristia Loeder with questions or to volunteer.

There are only a few spots left to fill on our religious education teaching team. We are in need of a 7th grade lead teacher, 7th grade assistant teacher and an 8th grade assistant teacher (because of the material, a male is preferred for the 8th grade assistant). Classes will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:15 pm. Please contact Kristia Loeder at dre@st-patrick-parish.com with any questions or to volunteer.

Please remember to register your children for religious education classes. Classes for 1st-8th grades will be held on Wednesdays, 6:00-7:15 pm. Confirmation classes for 9th grade will be held on Sundays, 6:30-8:00 pm. Detailed information regarding registration including the calendar of classes can be found on the parish website at www.st-patrick-parish.com

St. Patrick's and Immaculate Heart of Mary Parishes just finished co-hosting a fantastic week of Tutus Tuus ~ a summer catechetical youth program. Each day nearly 90 kids ages 6-11 attended the day sessions and 14 teens attended the evening sessions.