Families & Children

Little Lambs

We would like to invite all of our 3-year-old through Kindergarten aged children to join us for Little Lambs during the 10:30 AM Masses. Little Lambs is a program that helps the children understand the Sunday Gospel on their level. We pray together, sing songs, play games, activities, and read age-appropriate gospel stories. Volunteers always welcome.

For More information, contact: Stephanie Sokolowski or call 860-977-6837

  • Helping Our Young Children Understand the Sunday Gospel

    All children, age 3-6, are invited to join us for Little Lambs during the 10:30 am Masses at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. This is NOT a CCD class. Little Lambs is a program that helps the children understand the Sunday Gospel on their level. We pray together, sing songs, play games, activities, and read age-appropriate gospel stories. Volunteers are always welcome and needed. Contact: Stephanie Sokolowski or call 860.977.6837

    At the start of each Mass (right after the procession) Father will turn to the children to he bless them before our lesson.

    Then we will go to the parish center, say a prayer, read the Gospel for that day on a child’s level. We will do a project to help understand the Gospel, sing a song, and close with a prayer.

    We will come back to Mass BEFORE Communion and sit in the FRONT pews as a group. This will give the children a better view and more participation in Mass. The children will go up for a blessing along with everyone receiving Communion. (We will show them how to cross their hands over themselves, for the sign to receive a blessing)

     Parents can reunite with their child right after Mass in the front pews. (We might need a few parent volunteers to help in the front pews when we return before Communion)

    This program is not Sunday School, CCD or a Daycare. This program is for the children to understand each Sunday’s Gospel on their level, while still having them be part of Sunday Mass.

     

  • Little Lambs runs from September to June, but does not meet every week. Please reference the calendar.

    The October dates are Oct 1, 15, 22, and 29. Oct 8 is skipped for school vacation schedule.

    Printable calendar Opens in new window.

  • We hope the children can make it often on Sundays but it is NOT required for them to attend each Sunday. We do ask that everyone register to help better in planning and for safety. There is no fee for this program. Access the registration form here. For questions please contact Stephanie Sokolowski (Miss Stephy) at stephrae72@gmail.com or 860-233-6165.

    Where to Meet Each Sunday: 

    Please meet us in the back of the church 5 minutes before Mass starts, please (if possible) each Sunday, sign your child in and Little Lambs will be leading in the procession. (If you miss us at the start, please feel free join us downstairs)

 

Children’s Rosary

The Children’s Rosary is a prayer group movement for children. It is a time when children can come together to pray and lead the rosary as a prayer group. Parents are invited to stay and pray along in the pews as the children lead the prayers. This ministry serves to strengthen the prayer lives of our children. Additional children’s rosary resources may be found at childrensrosary.org (English) and rosariodeninos.org (Spanish).

Second Sunday of every month
9:45-10:15 AM in the lower Chapel at St. Thomas the Apostle Church

Contact: Blythe Kaufman

 

Young Family Group

The Young Family Group ministry was created to meet the needs of the growing number of parish families with children ages birth-Kindergarten. We understand that this phase in life can be challenging: Perhaps you’re new to town, adjusting to a new job & home. Perhaps you have a new baby, and your entire world has changed. Perhaps you’ve been at the parish for a while, but simply don’t feel connected. At Mass, perhaps you’re too preoccupied with your little one(s) to feel spiritually nurtured yourself. We developed the YOUNG FAMILY GROUP to provide ways for you to SIMPLY CONNECT:  to yourself, your spouse, your child(ren), other families, and of course to God, who is with us always – even in the midst of busy, messy, young family life!

PLAYGROUP     

Kate Marinchak heads up our Family Playgroup, which meets generally the third Sunday of the month from 9:30-10:30am in O’Connell Hall. Drop in between the two morning Masses for some playtime, prayertime and a chance for the parents and kids to mingle. Toys are provided. The playgroup is geared toward children kindergarten-aged and younger, but older siblings are always welcome! Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. Other members have stepped in to lead a session, and so can you!

FAMILY OUTINGS/SOCIAL EVENTS

On 3-4 occasions per year, we gather for a fun family activity: Christmas Pageant, Easter Egg Hunt, picnic dinner at the park, pumpkin picking, Moms’ Night Out, date night, etc. We’re always looking for new ideas, so please keep them coming!

YOUNG FAMILY RESOURCES

Learn about/share tips on great resources for young family life by clicking here.

GET ON OUR EMAIL LIST

Contact Kate Marinchak  to sign up for the latest email updates about the YFG.

We hope to see you and your little one(s) soon! Peace!