Welcome to

 A Family of Faith

Saints Mary and Joseph Parish Formation Program

What is a Family of Faith?   Click here for more information.

FAITH * FAMILY * COMMUNITY

 VISION:  The vision for A Family of Faith is strong Catholic families in which children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of their faith through the witness of Christian life given by their parents. This program is designed for youth in grades K-8 along with their families. Young people in grades 4-9 will be introduced to Youth Ministry.

 RATIONALE:   Effective and lasting faith formation must be anchored in family life. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with children is the single most effective way to develop young people into Disciples of Christ. Family-based models are fundamental to developing a faith life that is lived out in the family and in a community.

 GOALS:

• To encourage and equip parents in their role in forming their children in the faith
• To support and nurture strong Catholic families
• To provide parents the opportunity for their own spiritual growth and knowledge
• To build a community whereby families can celebrate Catholic life together through common prayer, service to others, social activities, and liturgical celebrations

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

A Family of Faith is a family-centered program designed with two sessions per month:

1. An Adult Session where adults gather with other parents/grandparents/caregivers, learn more about the material they will be covering with their families, grow in their own faith, and enjoy a supportive community.
2. A Community Session where families participate in prayer, service, social activities, and liturgical celebrations.

Between the meetings, parents/grandparents/caregivers work with their children on the material for that month in their A Family of Faith books at home.

FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM:

• Convenient - One Book for the Whole Family: The content rotates on a four-year cycle so that on a given year, all family members explore the same material together.
• Flexible and Individualized: The program is designed with a Parent’s Guidebook and a Youth Activity Book. The books are broken up into monthly units that include two lessons per month, with a selection of activities for each lesson. The intention is not to complete every activity, but to complete those activities that are most appropriate for each family.
• Supportive - Monthly Format: Families are supported with the Adult Sessions that offer content that will be covered, and learning is reinforced in the monthly Community Session.

SEE CALENDAR BELOW

2024-2025

PROGRAM MATERIALS: Will be Provided at the Parent Session.

1. Reconciliation: Children in grades 2 and older and who are regularly attending Mass and participating in the Family of Faith Program Parent and Family Sessions
2. Confirmation and First Holy Communion: Children in grades 3 and older who are regularly attending Mass and participating in the Family of Faith Program Parent and Family Sessions and who have celebrated their First Reconciliation

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

“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)