“There are two powerful influences on the planet-
the church and the home.
They both exist because God initiated them.
They both exist because God desires to use them to demonstrate
His plan of redemption and restoration.
If they work together they can potentially make a greater impact than if they work alone.
They need each other.
Too much is at stake for either one to fail.
Their primary task is to build God’s Kingdom in the hearts of
men and women, sons and daughters.”

(from THINK ORANGE IMAGINE THE IMPACT WHEN CHURCH AND FAMILY COLLIDE by Reggie Joiner)

2022-2023 Faith Formation  

Faith Formation isn’t just for kids!

 What is the purpose of Faith Formation?

Is it not to nurture our growth in becoming the Body of Christ… united with each other and with God?  In the Acts of the Apostles we read that “the believers continued together in close fellowship, shared their belongings, met in the temple day after day and were of one heart and mind.”  In the Letter to to the Ephesians we read how “the whole body grows and builds itself up through love” because the body of believers are connected and working together as they should.  To be who we are called to be, we are embracing an intergenerational approach: the whole parish, children to seniors, encouraged to learn, grow and serve so as to be more fully the Body of Christ!  Families and other interested parishioners come together monthly to grow and learn together.

 “To God, relationships are everything.  
This is true for our personal relationship with God and for the
relationships we have with one another.”

(GenOn Ministries)

And what is the point of 'making' a sacrament?
Faith Formation and the sacraments are meant to connect us more with each other, to help us become one in God’s heart and mind.  Many prepare their children for a sacrament and then are not seen in church again.  Could this not be compared to a couple on their wedding day vowing to be there for each other and then, after the ceremony, saying "K, see ya when I see ya!"?  Faith Formation and sacraments are not a checklist of things to get done!  Therefore, weekly Mass is foundational before, during and after preparation.  The intention is to grow in relationship with each other...
to build up the faith community, to grow in God TOGETHER so as to become more fully the Body of Christ.

When families want to learn and grow with the parish by at least coming to Mass weekly, then they are ready to further prepare children for the sacraments.

 
Because parents are the most influential agents of their children’s faith
the parish seeks to support and nurture that role. 
Parents assume the primary role in preparing their children.
To offer direction, goals are outlined for sacramental preparation. 
Parent meetings explaining and outlining details will be scheduled in the Fall.
To reinforce what parents do, we provide:

à Intergenerational Monthly LIFT (Living In Faith Together) program following the 4:00 & 9:30 Masses or after our monthly Wednesday Parish Potluck beginning in the Fall à Faith Uncorked: Monthly wine and cheese gatherings on Saturday evening for parents to discuss faith topics of their choosing (baby-sitting provided) à Variety of adult enrichment opportunities à The FORMED app which offers a variety of online resources and videos for adult, teens and children. à Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 9:30 Mass Sept-June: just before the readings begin, children in grades K-3 are dismissed to gather, hear and discuss the readings on a child’s level. Children return to their parents at the time of the preparation of the gifts. à Weekly Youth Ministry for Grades K-8 September-April à Sacramental retreats and resources à Service Opportunities
 Additional opportunities may be added as the year proceeds, so please refer to the parish bulletin! 

For some tentative dates of meetings and retreats, refer to the Faith Formation brochure. Additional dates will be firmed up by September.

 Catholic School Families and Sacraments
Each parish is responsible to prepare its parishioners for the sacraments.
This includes Catholic School families.
Families looking for First Reconciliation, Confirmation or First Communion preparation need to register in their parish’s Faith Formation program.
First Reconciliation: Grade 2 or older
Confirmation & First Communion: grade 3 or older