PROGRAMS, COMMUNITIES & ACTIVITIES

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
          Parents are the "first and best teachers of their children." Our parish Religious Education Program exists to assist parents as they assume the responsibility of bringing up their children as Roman Catholics.
          The goal of the program is to help the children grow in their knowledge and love of the Father as he is revealed to us through his Son Jesus in the Holy Spirit. The students are also exposed to the rich heritage and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church.
          Religious Education classes are held in the Parish Center from September through May on Sunday mornings and Monday afternoons for children in grades one through eight and on Monday mornings and afternoons for kindergarten children. All classes are taught by volunteer catechists. Children are re-registered for religious education classes each year in May.
         Those who wish to register their children in our religious education program and those Who would like to volunteer as catechists may contact the Catechetical Office.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAM
          Children of the parish are prepared for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in the second grade. The Archdiocese of Newark requires that a child attend religious education classes for at least two years prior to the reception of any sacrament. Special preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist is done by the parents/guardians of the children under the supervision and guidance of the Religious Education staff. Special preparation is also provided for children above the second grade level who have not received these sacraments.
           First Reconciliation is celebrated in December and First Eucharist is celebrated at selected Sunday Masses in the Easter Season.
         The Sacrament of Confirmation is administered to ninth graders in the fall. The preparation program includes seventh and eighth grade religious education classes, special evening preparation classes which begin in February of eighth grade, service projects and a retreat.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
         Vacation Bible School is a fun-filled experience of Bible stories, songs, arts and crafts, and games for children four years old through fourth grade. The program is staffed by parent volunteers and a group of our Confirmation candidates. VBS is held for one week during the summer.

ELEMENTARY YOUTH GROUP (EYG)
         EYG was started in 1986 by parent volunteers to allow a time and place for parish youth in grades three through five to come together to enjoy wholesome recreation, craft-making, and opportunities for service to others under parish guidance and leadership.
         EYG meets approximately four times a year on select Friday evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Center cafeteria.

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH COMMUNITY:
        The Jr. Catholic Youth Faith Community (Jr. CYFC) is open to all students in middle school.  Our calendar included a variety of social, service and faith opportunities.  Weekly meetings are held on Wednesday from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM in the Youth Center which is located in the basement of the Little Church. If you have any questions, please call Cindy Souza, our Youth Minister at the Pastoral Center .

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH COMMUNITY:
         The Catholic Youth Faith Community (CYFC) is open to all high school students. Our calendar includes a variety of social, service and faith opportunities.  Weekly meetings are held on Sunday from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM in the Youth Center located in the basement of the Little Church.  If you have any questions, please call Cindy Souza, our Youth Minister at the Pastoral Center .

R.C.I.A. (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS)
        The R.C.I.A. is a process for welcoming adults, age 18 and over, into the Roman Catholic Church. The R.C.I.A. is a community journey that leads to a transformation of mind and spirit. Its purpose is to assist prospective Catholics in their journey to become active members of the Church community. The process of full initiation is adapted to meet the needs of men and women who are
         ...not baptized
         ...baptized in another Christian church and seeking full communion with the Roman Catholic Church
         ...baptized in the Roman Catholic Church but not fully initiated, needing the sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist.
The group meets together weekly from October through May. The process can also be adapted for children of catechetical age who have not been baptized.

BAPTISM PREPARATION
          Baptism Preparation provides an opportunity for expect- ant and new parents to be informed about the Sacrament of Baptism. The program involves a discussion of the history of the sacrament, the symbols of Baptism and the blessings and responsibilities of raising a child in the Catholic faith. A video supplements the discussion of the ceremonial aspects of Baptism.
         Members of the Baptism Preparation Team meet with the parents for one hour on selected Sunday afternoons throughout the year in the Parish Center.

SUNDAY NURSERY
         A Nursery is located in Room I of the Parish Center for parents to take their children there during Mass.

PRE-CANA PROGRAM
         Pre-Cana is the important ministry of working with en- gaged couples. Every engaged couple is required by the Archdiocese of Newark to attend either a Pre-Cana Program or an Engaged Encounter Weekend as part of their preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage.
         Little Flower Parish offers a Pre-Cana Program in the fall of each year. The Program is led by a Pre-Cana Team consisting of a priest moderator and married couples. It includes presentations on Communication, Human Sexuality, and Family Life with time for personal reflection, discussion and prayer. An opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is provided. The program concludes with the celebration of the Eucharist.

SCRIPTURE STUDY
         Each year opportunities for Bible Study and Scripture Sharing are provided for interested parishioners. Programs vary from formal study of the Scriptures to self-directed sharing groups.

RESPECT LIFE COMMITTEE
         The purpose of the Respect Life Committee, together with the Archdiocese of Newark and the universal Church, is to raise consciousness, educate and motivate all persons to a reverence for all human life from the moment of conception to natural death and to witness against the "culture of death" that pervades our world.
         The committee meets once a month

ROSARY SOCIETY
         The Rosary Society, one of the oldest Catholic confraternities for women, was established at Little Flower Church in October of 1953. It has as its primary purpose to give praise and honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary by praying the rosary for the spiritual benefit of its members, for peace in the world and for the protection of the unborn.
         The Rosarians sponsor such parish events as the Paschal Supper, the May Crowning and Living Rosary, the Spaghetti Supper and the Soup Contest. Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month in the Pastoral Center Cafeteria. 

CURSILLO
         Cursillo, meaning "a little course in Christian living", seeks to give participants a deeper understanding of basic Christian truths through a three-day weekend course. Cursillo offers a plan for Christian living through piety, study and action.
         Ultreyas and homecomings are held periodically at Little Flower Parish.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
         The Knights of Columbus is an international organization of men devoted to the needs of the Church at large. The Knights have dedicated themselves to the spirit of Columbianism - CHARITY, UNITY, FRATERNITY, PATRIOTISM.
         The Summit Council, No 783, which was established in 1905, includes the towns of Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit. Meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Paca Club in New Providence.

CORNERSTONE RETREATS
         These parish retreats provide a concentrated atmosphere for members of the parish to revitalize their relationship with God and experience personal conversion and Christian community in the environment of their own parish. There is an opportunity for prayer, reflection, talks, small group discussions and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

ECUMENISM
         Area clergy of various denominations in New Providence and Berkeley Heights meet to share fellowship and discuss mutual concerns. Each parish has a designated lay Parish Ecumenical Representative with the hope of developing an ongoing communication and cooperation between and among the Churches.
         Prayer services are celebrated together on Good Friday.

RESOURCE CENTER
         The Little Flower Resource Center (library), located in the back of the Auditorium Church, maintains a variety of books, magazines, videos and audiotapes for personal and spiritual growth. The library is maintained through monetary donations of parishioners, many of whom memorialize loved ones or special family occasions such as baptisms, communions, confirmations or marriages.