Catholic East Elementary School
The mission of Catholic East Elementary School, a richly diverse Catholic community, is to pursue academic excellence, nurture strong moral development and foster lifelong learning through living out the Gospel values. Catholic East is the parish school of Old Saint Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, Saints Peter and Paul, Three Holy Women, and the Cathedral of Saint John. The 3rd-8th grade campus is located at Saints Peter and Paul and the K3-2nd grade campus is located at Three Holy Women-Holy Rosary. For more information call 414-964-1770 or visit www.catholiceast.org.
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children in Kindergarten through 2nd grade are invited to a special liturgy during our Sunday 9:00 am Mass in late September-May. Children attend Mass with their parents, but are called forward by the priest before the First Reading and dismissed to go downstairs with adult prayer leaders for a child-focused liturgy. Children hear the Scripture readings, discuss them in an interactive, child-friendly way, and pray together before rejoining their parents for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Adults who love God and love children are invited to become volunteer leaders for CLW, while middle schoolers can serve as lectors for our liturgy, and high schoolers volunteer as CLW assistants.
For further information contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at aclausen@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.
Family Justice Brigade
By putting families’ faith into action, the Family Justice Brigade (FJB) will provide families opportunities to serve others in our community, to learn about social justice, and to work towards a more peaceful and just city. We are open to families of all faith backgrounds. Our families can all work together to bring about more peace and justice in our community!
Contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at aclausen@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.
Good News Adventure Summer Camp
Are you ready for an Adventure? Good News Adventure is our four-parish family’s free, fun, faith-filled annual summer camp for kids of all ages. The Adventure will take place July 24 to 28, 2023 from 9 am to 12 pm each day. Kids who are entering K4 through grade 5 are invited to participate, while youth entering grades 6 and up are encouraged to join in the fun as volunteers.
For more information, to sign up, or to donate funds or supplies, please visit ssppmilw.org/gna or contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at 414-962-2443 or aclausen@ffpmke.org. It’s an incredible week – You don’t want to miss it!
If you want to get a peek at what Good News Adventure is like, check out our fabulous photo slideshow! GNA Slideshow
Nova Middle School Ministry
Nova is our parish’s exciting new youth group for middle schoolers. All students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade (from any school or religious background) are invited to join in the fun! We’ve been averaging about 30 kids at each event, from a huge variety of schools and neighborhoods, and we are always eager to include new people. We would love to get to know you!
Nova meets once a month, usually on Sunday evenings, for faith, friends, and fun. For the latest information about upcoming events, please go to tinyurl.com/novanight2023.
For further information contact Nino Rebholz, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at nrebholz@ffpmke.org or 414-271-6577.
Religious Education (UPLIFT Family Formation)
UPLIFT Families
“Uniting People Living in Faith and Truth” (UPLIFT) Families is the religious education program serving the parents and children (K3-8th grade) of the Family of Five Parishes. UPLIFT Families is a program for children and adults, designed to develop strong Catholic families in which children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of our Faith through the witness of Christian life in their families.
Families will attend classes twice a month from September – May on either Wednesday evenings (5:30 – 7:15 pm) or Sunday mornings (10:30 am – 12:15 pm). A community meal is provided for all families to enjoy before the children go to their age-specific classrooms and parents engage in their own faith lesson. The location of all UPLIFT Families classes will be at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 831 N Van Buren St, Milwaukee (Enter through the glass Atrium door behind the bench of the homeless Christ statue).
Sunday Program
During our Sunday program, we will continue to offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) lessons for K3-K5. CGS teaches young children the faith through a Montessori-based learning environment.
Parent classes in Spanish and childcare (3 years old and younger) will also be offered during the Sunday morning program only.
First Reconciliation and Communion
There are additional sacramental preparation meetings and a retreat for children in second grade (or older) and their parents/caregivers. Second graders prepare for both First Reconciliation and First Communion in the same year. If the child does not attend a Catholic school, then the family will be required to register for UPLIFT Families (Wed or Sun program), in addition to the sacrament prep classes and retreat. If a child attends a Catholic school, only the two sacrament prep classes and retreat are required.
Register for UPLIFT Families
To register for UPLIFT Families go to tinyurl.com/uplift-families and complete one registration form for your family. Registration deadline is September 6.
If you would like to become a catechist or have questions about registration, please email or call Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at aclausen@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443 x302.
UPLIFT Teens
UPLIFT Teens provides spiritual formation for all High School students from the parishes of Old St. Mary, Our Lady of Divine Providence, SS. Peter and Paul, Three Holy Women, and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. UPLIFT Teens will encounter Jesus Christ and be in a peer community that supports a life of discipleship. Whether you are a Junior or Senior in High School preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation or an underclassman open to learning more about your Catholic faith, UPLIFT Teens is for you!
We strongly encourage at minimum two years of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Exceptions will be given to those who are just joining as a Junior or Senior; however, it becomes much more crucial to attend, participate, and engage!
Our UPLIFT Teens format will meet two Wednesdays a month for two hours at St. Rita Church (1617 N Cass St). Our time will consist of a dinner meal, prayer in the church, videos, small group discussion and games and community building throughout the night.
Register for UPLIFT Teens
Please register for UPLIFT Teens by September 6 at tinyurl.com/upliftteen2023. If you have questions, please contact Nino Rebholz, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at nrebholz@ffpmke.org or 414-271-6577.
Special Events for Families
We host a variety of family-friendly events throughout the year, like our annual Epiphany Party and Pentecost Party, as well as many others. These are all great ways for families to build community and bring their faith to life.
For further information contact Anh Clausen, Director of Family Ministry and Religious Formation, at aclausen@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.