Come to the Festival of Families!

Story by Nikki Rajala

Day for families planned for Feb. 11 in Sauk Rapids

The Diocese of St. Cloud will host a Festival of Families on Sunday, Feb. 11, at Sacred Heart Church in Sauk Rapids to celebrate, pray and share their faith. 

Christine Pinto, diocesan associate director for faith formation.

Christine Pinto, diocesan associate director for faith formation and organizer for the festival, said that, according to research, two things have the biggest impact on the faith lives of children: seeing their parents living the faith and child-centered conversations about faith in their homes.

“Our goal for the Festival of Families is to provide opportunities throughout the day for families to share their faith with one another and with other families,” she said.

All the events of the day are included in the cost of registration, which is $20 per family, no matter the size.
There are no additional costs to play the carnival games
nor to participate in the other activities of the day. 

The festival begins at 10:30 a.m., with activities, carnival games and exhibits. The day also includes a meal. 

Following lunch, families will divide into age-specific groups — children pre-K through grade 5, teens and parents. Groups for younger children include crafts, songs, skits, games and Bible stories.

Jason Prigge

Jason Prigge, director of youth and young adult ministry at Sacred Heart Parish in Sauk Rapids, will lead the teen session, titled “Engaging Teens in Faith.”

“I want young people to come as they are — their imperfections, their stress and anxiety, their energy and gifts — and know the Church is a safe place and that Christ wants a relationship with them. Teens can expect games, music, storytelling and an invitation into God’s community,” Prigge said. 

Parents will select from four sessions designed to meet their needs. 

To end the day, Bishop Patrick Neary, C.S.C., will celebrate a bilingual family Mass at 2 p.m. The Festival of Families is part of the ‘Becoming Eucharist’ Revival Series.

“We look forward to celebrating our Catholic faith with families throughout the diocese,” Pinto said. “We want to
help them embrace the call to be modern missionaries in their communities.” 

PARENT BREAKOUT SESSIONS:
Cindy Gonzalez

“Parenting with Faith: Spiritual Practice with Children Across the Lifespan”

As children grow, caregivers and parents are called to different vocations. When faith informs parenting choices, we better understand ourselves and our communities. Cindy González will present one session in English and one in Spanish.
González teaches family ministry and interculturality in Spanish and English, through Emmaus Institute and St. John’s School of Theology, Collegeville, and is director of Campus Ministry at the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph.
Jim and Maureen Otremba

“About That Oxygen — Parental Self-Care”

Flight attendants tell adults to put on their own oxygen masks before assisting children — parents can’t give what they don’t have themselves. God provides guidance and nourishment in this exhilarating and exhausting vocation. will teach concrete skills from “The Daily Dozen of Catholic Parenting.”
The Otrembas have offered workshops on marriage and parenting for more than 25 years. Jim owns and is a therapist at the Center for Family Counseling in St. Cloud. Maureen’s background is in teaching and pastoral ministry.
Bethany Tollefson

“Youth Mental Health: Hope for Healing”

Participants will discuss common concerns of mental health, differentiate between normal growth and development and mental health concerns and explore strategies to promote positive mental health.
Bethany Tollefson, with experience in psychiatric and mental health, works as a parish health ministries coordinator at CentraCare, St. Cloud, and as a faith community nurse. Lindsay Anderson is a psychiatric provider working with youth at CentraCare’s Child/Adolescent Behavioral Health Clinic in St. Cloud.
Daniella Zsupan-Jerome

“Communication Matters! At Home, Online, On Social Media and Anywhere in Between”

Communication is a gift of self, rooted in love. In a world of digital communication, where information is fast, fluid and immense, how do we stay grounded in who we are and who God calls us to be? How might people of faith communicate more intentionally?
Daniella Zsupan-Jerome is an assistant professor of pastoral theology at St. John’s School of Theology.
Registration Information
Who: Families of all ages
When: Sunday, Feb. 1110:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Sacred Heart Church2875 10th Ave. N.E.Sauk Rapids
Cost: $20 per family
Registration deadline: Thursday, Feb. 1.
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Author: Nikki Rajala

Nikki Rajala is a writer/copy editor for The Central Minnesota Catholic Magazine.

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