Seeds
for children, ages 3-5
The Seeds ministry is for children ages 3-5 and is offered during the 9:00am Sunday liturgy from September through May.
The Church’s mission is to tell Jesus’ story and to share the Gospel with the next generation. By centering around the Sunday Gospel, Seeds tells Jesus’ story. Children in Seeds, along with their prayer leaders, use the lectionary-based and developmentally appropriate Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Seeds materials. Optional activities for home use are provided in What the Church Believes and Teaches.
Each week, Seeds focuses on a story of Jesus. The children experience the week’s Gospel, enhanced by prayer, storytelling, music and creative activities, in a way that is relevant to their world. Seeds helps prepare the children to more fully join the parish community that meets during Mass.
Registration is required.
2024 - 2025 Calendar
Seeds typically meets the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Sundays of each month, giving the opportunity for families to go to church together on the 4th Sunday. Due to the availability of materials and to holidays, there are some exceptions to this pattern as noted below:
2024 – 2025 Calendar
September
22 Open House
29 1st Seeds
October
6 Seeds
13 Seeds
20 Children in Church
27 Seeds
November
3 Seeds
10 Seeds
17 Seeds
24 Children in Church
December
1 Children in Church
8 Seeds
15 Seeds
22 Seeds
29 Children in Church
January 2025
5 Seeds
12 Seeds
19 Seeds
26 Children in Church
February
2 Seeds
9 Seeds
16 Seeds
23 Children in Church
March
2 Seeds
9 Seeds
16 Seeds
23 Children in Church
30 Children in Church
April
6 Seeds
13 Seeds
20 Children in Church
27 Seeds
May
4 Seeds
11 Seeds
18 Registration for Fall
Policies
Seeds takes place during 9:00 Mass for children ages 3, 4 and 5 and typically meets the first three Sundays of the month so families can attend Mass together on the 4th Sunday. Participation is voluntary but requires registration.
Prayer Leaders
The Seeds prayer leaders are trained for their ministry role. In addition, all adults undergo a background check, complete safe environment training and sign a Code of Conduct. All leaders under age 18 provide written references and sign a Youth Code of Conduct.
Materials
The prayer leaders and children use the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Seeds materials, which are lectionary-based and developmentally appropriate for children ages 3-5.
Routines
Please drop off your child starting about 10 minutes before Mass. All children will remain in their rooms until they are picked up after Mass.
For your child’s safety, children may only be picked up by the parent/guardian who dropped them off before Mass. Please make prior arrangements with the Coordinator of Faith Formation with Children if circumstances require another adult to pick up your child. Older siblings are not allowed to pick up the children without a parent present.
Family Resources
Pflaum Gospel Weeklies offers free online resources for families at www.gospelweeklies.com. Under “Resources for Families” you will find “The Gospel at Home,” a weekly parent guide with a Gospel summary, discussion starters for different age levels and ways to apply the Gospel message to everyday life. Under “Seasonal Resources” you will find monthly age-appropriate activities for you to do with your child at home and information about Catholic Culture, Family Prayers, Feasts of the Season and Saints of the Season.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, contact Cheryl Taylor, Coordinator of Faith Formation with Children, at 612-922-0041 or email Cheryl.
Registration
Registration is required for children participating in Seeds. To register, download this PDF, fill it out, and then drop it off at the Parish Office, or mail it to: St. Thomas the Apostle, 2914 W 44th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410.
Interested in being part of Seeds?