All Youth Have a Home in Manayunk's Cathedral

Do you have a toddler, a teenager, or a child with special needs? Do you know someone who does?

For 185 years, St. John the Baptist has been a visible and supportive presence to the families in the Roxborough-Manayunk area. In keeping with that tradition, St. John's will offer more than just a traditional youth faith formation program, beginning with the 2016-2017 school year. Included in the expansions are a program for 2-5 year olds, a youth discipleship program for teens, and an explicitly open and welcoming policy for families of children with special needs.

Here is a closer look at each of the new programs:

Little Lambs is an exciting endeavor for young families with children ages 2-5, who are ready to begin exploring their faith and place in the parish community. Using the things they love best-toys, books, and games, young children will have the opportunity to build a foundation of active discipleship. For teens, a youth discipleship program will be offered in a soon-to-be youth lounge. There will be food, there will be fun, and there, older youth will have the chance to find Christ in the world that they understand. The entire youth faith formation program is renewing its commitment, in a particular way, to welcome and include families of children with special needs.

The expansions are more than just structural. Taking up Pope St. John Paul II's call for "new ardor and new methods" in sharing Christ and following Pope Francis' general pastoral style, all youth faith formation programs at St. John's will go beyond the books and aim straight for the heart. Every child will  knowledge, but also the strength, enthusiasm, and support to carry that knowledge out into the world.

Enrollment for all youth faith formation programs will open in late May. For more information on the programs, enrollment, or supporting St. John's efforts, Melissa Maleski may be contacted at dre@stjohnmanayunk.org.