WELCOME!

All that we do together in our parish to form our lifelong faith is centered around one teacher and one method.  That teacher is Jesus and his method is the way in which he formed and taught his first disciples, his apprentices.  And so it is with us.  He shows us 4 steps in a natural order which keep cycling over and over, every day, throughout our lives:

First, Jesus gently invites us to "Come and See" - to come close to him, just as we are.  When we do this, we don't just learn about him; we learn to be with him and we come to know how much he loves us.  We naturally respond with love and a desire to make changes in our lives.
(John 1:39)

Next, Jesus says "Follow Me".  We are never alone as he accompanies each of us in a gradual and deeper relationship with the Blessed Trinity and each other.  We do this through the sacraments and in community.  It is also a time of develop a mature conscience and to exercise our freedom to choose to live as Catholic Christians in all areas and aspects of our lives.  (Matthew 9:9)

Then, Jesus says "Remain in Me".  As we say "yes" and grow closer to Jesus, he draws us deeper into our church and larger community; it's what St. Paul calls the Body of Christ.  Jesus shows us that community is necessary. Sometimes this is a very different message from the one which we often hear in our very individualistic culture.
(John 15:4-5)

And finally, Jesus commands us to "Go and Make Disciples of All Nations".  Jesus appoints us to be his disciples, not simply to teach what we have come to know but to live what we have come to believe, and to invite and support others in this mission.  The Holy Spirit is living at our side every single day to love, enlighten, strengthen, and free us.
(Matthew 28:19)                  (Adapted from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - Living as Missionary Disciples)
 

POTHE Lifelong Faith Formation Team:

Georgette Dionne (Director & Parish Leader/Faith Formation Coordinator at St. Jude Church)
Deacon Dennis Popadak (Parish Leader/Faith Formation Coordinator at St. Gregory Church)
Kim Lovett (Admin. Assistant and Parish Leader/Faith Formation Coordinator at Sacred Heart Church) Annie Iacono (Parish Leader/Faith Formation Coordinator at Holy Martyrs Church and Parish Coordinator of Small Groups Ministry)

What exactly do we do?

Each team member is a Parish Leader at one of our churches.  This means that we are visible and present, week by week, to that church community.  We work closely with a volunteer leadership team to minister to the community in all areas. Each of us is also the Faith Formation Coordinator. We teach and lead faith formation gatherings for all ages, families, and adults; we develop strategies to build on our Catholic culture within our church seasons and liturgical cycles. We ensure that all volunteers maintain compliance with diocesan and parish policies, including measures regarding all Protecting God’s Children mandates.  We organize, supply, prepare, and enhance gathering and worship spaces at each of our church facilities. We support the Liturgical ministries associated with each Mass.
Our responsibilities also include administrative tasks associated with registrations, communications with our parishioners, updating website pages and connecting with our Diocesan offices.
 
Please keep us in your prayers and know that you are in ours...daily!