Family Cluster Catechesis:

F.I.R.E.

A religious education program for all ages! 
A Way of Being Church.

F.I.R.E. (Family Intergenerational Religious Education) is a program created by families for families.

• The model for FIRE is not grade-level classroom teaching but intergenerational groups of all ages. Elders bring their wisdom and experience; the middle-aged the practical wisdom; teenagers their idealism; the little ones the wisdom of wonder.
• The method is learning through play, experimentation and discovery. No lectures, reading assignments or structured writing like in classes. (No more being "bored".)
• No cost, since only the meeting's leader needs a book. Handouts are copied. Book and supplies are provided by the parish you support by your Time, Talent and Treasure.
• The Vision: Learning is a ministry of the Word, which proclaims as it teaches. It leads to Eucharist and the mission of service and ministry.
• A FIRE meeting:

1. Icebreaker - a fun time
2. Ritual - use of a symbol
3. Review of previous meeting
4. An experience - a simulation, game or discussion.
5. Explanation - group members share insights, inter-generational sharing.
6. Closing Prayer
7. Social time, refreshments

Children under 3 participate with parents. Only if an activity is too quiet for too long to hold their attention, only then may they be separated for a short time.

Overview of the 5-year program cycle:
Year 1: Becoming Community, salvation history through study of Advent (God), Lent (Jesus) and Easter/Pentecost (Spirit).
Year 2: Celebrating Community, explores the sacraments. *This is the current year in 2001-02!
Year 3: The Responding Community, an exploration of the Old Testament.
Year 4: The Believing Community, and exploration of New Testament and Church.
Year 5: The Living Community, a study of morality, social responsibility and mission.

For more information contact your DRE!
Or e-mail Betty Haran (just click on the name!)

Family Clusters
An article from St. Daniel Parish Bulletin, July 15, 2001

How much do you remember from your religion classes about sacraments? How familiar are you with how sacraments are celebrated today in the Post-Vatican II Church? Can you answer your child's questions? Your own questions?

In an ever-changing world adults desire information and spirituality often even more than the children. Family Clusters create an environment where adults learn along with children. This creates an environment where all ages become immersed in an atmosphere of sharing, witnessing and learning that awakens that Spirit in us that makes faith "active and vibrant". Children learn 95% through experience. While only 15-20% of the spoken words in a class room may be remembered, of what they feel, see, do they remember 95%. Family Cluster creates experiences of feeling, seeing, doing … memories that help shape our faith for years to come.

Family Clusters are in a sense like those "small faith-sharing communities" that we read about, made up of all ages, learning about a particular topic by sharing, discussing, playing games and praying together. The meeting usually begins with a "fun" activity, a game or so, then a discussion on what we learn from the activity in the light of the day's topic, then a learning experience, discussion and a closing prayer ritual.

The program is inter-parish! If you have neighbors from another parish, they can join the same cluster you are in since five neighboring vicariate parishes are participating in this program. Especially in the Davisburg area we are hoping to bring people together across parish boundaries to create a new community and a new parish there in the future. Some of the meeting there could be held at the Hart Center.