The Church continues the mission of Jesus, to bring about God's kingdom. This one mission is ever being accomplished through three ministries: Word, Worship and Service. Every form of catechesis is a participation in the ministry of the Word and therefore a participation in the mission of Jesus and the Church.
Adult Bible Study
Ministry Lead: Mike Retchless. 615-595-8904
This group is open to all adults of the parish. Meeting on a weekly basis year round on Thursday evenings, the group discusses certain topics of the Bible agreed on by the group and facilitated by the leader.
Baptismal Preparation Class
Ministry Lead: Tracy & Lee Clark . 615-595-8073 or Bob & Pam Harden . 615-591-9176
This class is offered several times a year and is required before a baptism can be held at St. Philip. It prepares parents for the baptism of children.
Engaged Couples Retreat
Ministry Lead: Sharon and John Wilson . 615-794-3398
The Engaged Couples Retreat offers a group of married couples an opportunity to share their experiences with engaged couples of the Diocese of Nashville.
Ministry Leads: Shannon Breedlove . 615-719-8692
and Anne See . 615-293-8319
The Adult Faith Formation class is open to all adults of the parish and is based on the premise that - upon being Confirmed - we do not stop growing in the Catholic faith or pursuing holiness. The overarching goal of the class is to lead people closer to God through prayer and greater knowledge of the Catholic faith. This is accomplished by exploring both traditional elements of the Catholic faith and contemporary Church teachings. We also discuss current events as they relate to the Catholic Church. The result is a deeper connection with God and the universal Church and a fuller living of our Catholic lives. The class meets from 9:30am to 10:50am (between Masses) on Sunday mornings from September through May. Childcare is provided.
Ministry Leads: Mary Jo Stults . 615-435-3870 and Pat Kittsmiller . 615-790-9001
The library ministry needs volunteers to help with book collection, sorting, cataloging, and maintaining book shelves. The library provides a variety of inspirational, educational, reference, and faith based books for everyone. The library is located off the Gathering Area across from the Kitchen and is open at any time the building is unlocked.
Religious Education / Faith Formation
Ministry Lead: Tracy Clark . 615-794-8588 ext 211
Religious education for our children pre-school through high school.
Faith formation is a life-long activity. It is expected that students participate in classes each year from pre-school through senior year of high school.
It is important that parents and families recognize the vital role they play in the faith formation of our youth. Pope John Paul II's "Familiaris Consortio" teaches that the family is the core of all society for the family teaches one to the meaning of love, which is self-giving. That love will spiral out, first, to other members of one’s own family, then to other families, then to society at large. The family is the vital core of society and its school of social virtue.
“The future of humanity passes by way of the family.” (FC 86) The Church teaches that it is the task of families themselves to join with people of good will in building a society and state which respect, value, promote and defend the family.
“You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so, you are accepting the responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring this child up to keep God’s Commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.” Our parish religious education program helps parents to meet this commitment by beginning religious education for children as young as three years old! We continue faith formation for our youth through their senior year in high school. After that, they have the opportunity to become part of our college student and young adult ministries. Faith formation is a life long activity!
The pre-school religious education program is for ages 3, 4, and 5 (pre-school, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten). Classes are held during the 8:30am and 11:00am Masses. We use the child’s age as of September 30th (the same as the local school system) as the basis for placement in a particular class.
Religious education classes for grades 1 through 6 are held on Sunday mornings from 9:45am to 10:45am (between Masses)
Religious education classes for grades 7 and 8 are held on Sunday evenings. Mass at 5pm. Dinner and catechesis to follow.
CONNECT for grades 9 through 12 meets on Sunday and Wednesday evenings
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Class
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Meeting Time
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Pre-school
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(3 yrs old) 8:30am, 9:45am and 11am Sunday
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Pre-Kindergarten
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(4 yrs old) 8:30am, 9:45am and 11am Sunday
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Kindergarten
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(5 yrs old) 8:30am, 9:45am and 11am Sunday
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Grades 1 - 6
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9:45 - 10:45am Sunday between Masses
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| Grades 7 & 8 |
6:15-8:15pm Sunday and Wednesday evening (Mass at 5pm) |
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Grades 9 - 12
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6:15-8:15pm Sunday and Wednesday evening
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First Holy Communion / Penance
During the 2nd grade religious education year, children receive instruction. Preparation for First Communion is a two year process. Students who are in 2nd grade, but who have not been a part of a formal formation program the prior year, are placed in a 1st grade class. Usually, we have more than one student in this situation. All these students will be in the same class as space allows.
Confirmation
During the 8th grade religious education year, students receive instruction and attend a retreat. The sacrament is received in May or June as scheduled by the Bishop.
Special Sacramental Preparation
We realize that families come to us from many different areas of the country and that at their previous parishes, they may have had different grade levels for reception of the sacraments. Parents with older students who have not received any or all of the above sacraments should contact Kim Leisinger in the Religious Education Office.
Religious Education Support Committee
Ministry Lead: Jayne Milton . 615-790-8721
Student aides assist teachers throughout the year (must be at least in the 6th grade). General helpers provide assistance on Sunday mornings or during the week in the CCD office. The support committee provides food preparation during various functions throughout the year.
St. Philip Studies in Truth
Ministry Lead: Shannon Breedlove . 615-719-8692
Please consider participating in this great opportunity to fellowship with others in our parish community while nourishing your faith through the study of Sacred Truth as revealed by Our Lord through His Church. A new study starts in September and January of each year and includes both written and audio-visual materials based in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. There is a small fee to cover the cost of study materials for each participant. We meet weekly September through May (both morning and evening groups are offered). Nursery services are available.
Vacation Bible School
Ministry Lead: Tracy Clark . 615-595-8073
VBS is held during one week in June. Religious concepts and scripture passages are taught through various activities including drama, art, crafts, music, games and science. VBS needs volunteers as teachers and in various activity areas. In addition, 6th grade students and older are invited to participate as volunteers.