WITH EXCITED GIGGLES, a gaggle of 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds ran out of the classroom and into the hallway to find a piece to build their altar to Mother Mary. The hunt quickly turned serious as the littles worked together to lay down everything in order and in the right place.
PRE-SCHOOL STUDENTS STAND TOGETHER IN A BASEMENT CLASSROOM DURING A SUNDAY MORNING CLASS AT MISSION BASILICA’S PASTORAL CENTER IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ON DEC. 7. PHOTOS BY JEFF ANTENORE/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
Then kneeling around their altar, they began praying with their teachers: “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
“Jesus, we are excited that Your birthday is coming,” said catechism teacher Jocelyn Granados with the students repeating after her. “Today we will learn about John the Baptist and about Your mother, Mary. Be with us as we pray and learn together. Amen.”
CATECHIST JOCELYN GRANADOS HELPS ARIANNA BERESFORD, 4, ON A LESSON DURING A SUNDAY PRESCHOOL CLASS.
Mission Basilica’s “Mission Minis” class for preschool, kindergarten and first-grade students met for their weekly catechism during the 9 a.m. Mass on Dec. 7 in the basement of the basilica’s pastoral center. The Mission Minis program at the San Juan Capistrano church started last year to give smaller students, who may struggle to sit through Mass, an age-appropriate faith education using Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, said Natalie Espada, the basilica’s faith formation coordinator.
The program started with just four kids last year and has grown to 20 registered. The volunteer teachers — Granados, Jasmine Granados and Monica Mendoza — originally accepted a short-term stint but have grown to love their little learners, said Espada.
CATECHIST KATIE CHAVEZ LOOKS ON WHILE PRESCHOOL STUDENTS WORK ON LESSONS IN A SEEDS MAGAZINE DURING A SUNDAY MORNING CLASS IN THE BASEMENT OF MISSION BASILICA’S PASTORAL CENTER.
“They fell in love with it and they have taken it to a whole other level,” Espada added. “They love the kids, they love what they do, they plan feverishly with all their love and heart. They’ve made Mission Minis what it is.”
She added, “We had the thought and the idea and the supplies we needed for it, but they’re the ones who have really taken it to another level.”
That dedication was on display as each Mission Mini walked into a winter wonderland coming into their first class of December. With ice-blue and white cloth covering the walls; Christmas lights, ornaments and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling; and tables covered in sparkly red and candy cane-striped tablecloths, the students sat down to begin their lesson.
“We’re learning about John the Baptist,” said Eliana Nordman, 6. “He baptized people in the desert.”
TK student Lily Kersten, kindergartener Cami Dollard and first-grader Emme Shott all said they like the class: their teachers, spending time with friends and, of course, snack time.
“It’s good,” said 7-year-old Shott, adding she likes class because “we get to learn about Jesus.”
Emme Shott’s dad, Jim Shott, said he has seen his daughter’s faith grown directly from her time in Mission Minis, from learning the Our Father and the Hail Mary to other prayers.
“They are teaching the kids our Catholic values in an interactive way for the little ones to really get into their faith,” Jim Shott said. “So, it allows mom and dad to actually enjoy Mass and the kids actually learn in a fun, interactive way. They grow friendships here.”
For Minis teacher Mendoza, who also teaches Confirmation, the class is a chance to make sure the next generation gets a strong faith foundation, so that when adult life starts pulling them away from the church, they will always come back.
“I know they will come back if we can set the foundation for them,” Mendoza said. “Then their faith journey will continue on as they get older.”