Meetings after Mass
When we have a meeting after Mass, we will all gather in either the Family Room or St. Mary's Halll. The children will meet in a circle on the floor and begin by being led in a prayer. On "Saint Days" and “Our Faith” Days (approximately twice a month) we will listen to a short talk followed by a craft or enrichment.

Saint Days
On these days, the Catholic Alliance group learns about the life of a saint whose Feast Day falls in the current month. The adult leading this activity shares biographical information and any interesting facts and stories about the saint. This is followed by a relevant activity, game, service project or craft. You may choose your own saint for the month or follow the suggested saint taken from the liturgical calendar.

Sharing our Faith Days
These days involve a time of more in depth learning about our unique and beautiful Catholic faith through the Liturgical Year. Examples include Mary’s birthday, preparation for the seasons of Advent and Lent, Holy Week, the Rosary, tour of our Church, Stations of the Cross, and the May crowning of Mary.

Park Days
We will go to a park after Mass on scheduled Wednesdays. We will start with Landa Park or Cypress Bend Park near the library but please let us know of you have a great playscape in your neighborhood!

Adoration and Children's Holy Hour
Our group will attend Eucharistic Adoration on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9-10 a.m. in the Adoration Chapel at Sts. Peter and Paul. Children of all ages and their parents are encouraged to attend and offer an hour of Glory and Praise to our Lord! This is a beautiful devotion, which is truly meant for all our children, no matter how young.

Symphony
The Catholic Alliance group attends 4 performances of the San Antonio Symphony Youth Series (2 in the fall and 2 in the spring) at Laurie Auditorium-Trinity University. The 45 minute program begins at 9:45 and are presented in a child-friendly manner. The conductor interacts with the audience between pieces. Out of respect for other groups, please remember to take distracting children to the lobby if necessary. Their website includes lesson plans for the yearly theme of the series and you may purchase a CD of all four programs. http://www.sasymphony.org/e_young.php

Paint to Music
In the spring, groups are invited to listen to certain pieces and produce a “painting to the music.” At the final symphony performance, 3 are chosen from each group to be a part of the slide show accompanying the final performance.

SW Craft Center
The Catholic Alliance group attends the SW School of Arts and Crafts in downtown SA for 3 Saturdays during the month of November from 9-11:30 a.m. Artists assist the children and encourage parents to take part in the following activities: pottery making, stained glass, mosaics, silk screening, weaving and seasonal crafts. This is a free activity, but space is limited and early registration is encouraged. We will have a group sign-up list.

VEXLER Children’s Theater
Catholic Alliance families may sign up to attend up to 2 performances at this community theater throughout the year. The productions range from musicals to plays taken from children’s literature. Following the show we usually picnic and play at nearby Walker Ranch Park.

All Saints Day Party
Children dress up as a saint and share clues about whom they have chosen. We try to “guess the saint.” The children enjoy refreshments and participate in fun games, activities, and crafts relevant to saints.

Saint Nicholas Party and Toy Drive
A celebration that includes a visit from Saint Nicholas, fun activities and crafts, refreshments and the wrapping of a present brought for the toy drive.

Mardi Gras Party
Following the 5 p.m. Mass we will gather on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish for a potluck dinner and some fun with our family and friends. As we look ahead to Lent, our preparation for Easter, we ask Jesus to be in our hearts as we grow closer to him.

Saint Valentine’s Party
The children participate in a valentine exchange after Mass by bringing valentine cards for the group and a decorated box or bag. The children then make a craft (bookmark, card, door hanger, etc.) to deliver to nursing home residents.

Geography Fair
An evening where Catholic Alliance families gather to present information they have learned about a specific country. Food, costumes, interesting facts, geography, customs and traditions about the country are all shared in a variety of ways.

Science Fair
Students participate by displaying a science experiment, project or collection. All ages are encouraged to participate. Families enjoy a potluck dinner after viewing the projects.

Spring Showcase
On this night children share their school year by using a table to “display their year.” Items shared in the past include projects, notebooks, music learned, scouting, achievements, athletic awards, collections, etc. Certificates of achievement are handed out. After a potluck dinner, the evening concludes with a “variety show” of any skill they would like to share, i.e., musical performances, karate demos, poetry or speech recitations, etc.

Nursing Home Visits
Catholic Alliance families may join the Sts. Peter and paul Ministry to the Sick and Homebound on the 4th Friday of each month at Kirkwood Manor Nursing Home in New Braunfels. Rosary begins at 10:00 am followed by a communion service for residents. Families are encouraged t visit with residents on their own at their own pace.

Mom’s Night Out
On these evenings moms gather to encourage, inspire and help each other as well as have fun!

Additional Enrichment Activities:

Children's Adoration

Families are invited to come together for Eucharistic Adoration on the 1st Friday of each month from 7-8 p.m. in the Adoration Chapel. Families are led in prayer, readings, reflective questions, and songs. Song sheets are distributed. Fellowship follows in the Family Room.

Life Chain
Life Chain is a peaceful and prayerful public witness of pro-life Americans standing for one hour praying for our nation and for an end to abortion. It is a visual statement of solidarity by the Christian community that abortion kills children and that the Church supports the sanctity of human life from the moment of conception.

PSIA (Private Schools Interscholastic Association)
PSIA is an extracurricular academic program for students in grades 1st through 8th which inspires student achievement through academic competition. Our Catholic Alliance home school group is classified as a private school and is therefore eligible to participate.

Speech Club
This is a public speaking class for 5-12 yr olds that meets on Fridays from 3-4 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian church. This Christian group welcomes all interested in gaining confidence in speaking in a non-threatening environment. They have successfully helped children gain skills of communication through exercised like self-introduction to adults, reciting poetry to the club, and telling jokes for the amusement of all parents and kids alike. Parent participation is expected. The class is coached by Bill and Patti Davis. A debate and speech club for 13-18 yr olds meets from 4- 7 p.m.

Blue Knights
This is a Catholic boys club for ages 5-9 that teaches the concept of knighthood based on virtue. Boys have a great time participating in this program and growing in their faith. It is not exclusively for homeschoolers.

Little Flowers
This is a Catholic girls club for ages 5-14 that teaches about the Virgin Mary, St. Therese of Lisieux and other saints of the church. It is not exclusively for homeschoolers.