Family Faith Formation empowers, supports, and equips parents to impart the faith to their children. It centers around the weekly celebration of the Sacrifice of the Mass – “the source and summit of the Christian life” – paired with periodic gatherings of children and families for catechesis and community. These gatherings offer faith formation and enrichment for both children and parents, and prepares families for at home discipleship.
FAMILY FAITH FORMATION FOR GRADES K-7
The program is organized in three grade-level cohorts: Mustard Seeds (K-2), Loaves & Fishes (3-5), and Salt & Light (6&7). All cohorts focus on the same theme each session, which creates a cohesive structure that supports families with children in multiple grades.
Sessions begin with an opening prayer and a “Focus on Faith” reflection given by a member of our pastoral team. After the reflection, the session leader reviews the At-Home Discipleship material for the coming month, before ending with a closing prayer. In the weeks in between sessions, families continue the lesson at home on their own schedule, in whatever space and time works best for them, using the resources from the session and the At-Home Discipleship materials.
Please Note: All K-5 sessions are Family Sessions (children and parent/s together.) Children may not be “dropped off” without a parent or guardian. Salt & Light (6&7) has two Family Sessions and three Student-Only Sessions.
If you have children in both the Mustard Seeds (K-2) and Loaves & Fishes (3-5) cohorts, you can attend either session on the same theme with all your children – choose the date that works best for your family.
Please see the Family Faith Formation page for more details.
OPENING SESSIONS FOR K-7
Our opening theme for the year is The Communion of Saints, and the sessions will be led by Father Jim and Sister Colleen.
MUSTARD SEEDS (K-2): SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 AT ST. PAUL
10:15-11:00am in the Parish Hall following the 9:00am Family Mass
LOAVES & FISHES (3-5): SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 AT ST. JOHN
10:15-11:00am in Powers Hall following the 9:00am Family Mass
SALT & LIGHT (6&7): SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT ST. PAUL (FAMILY SESSION!)
4:00-4:45pm in the Parish Hall preceding the 5:00pm Youth Mass
Click here for the full schedule.
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION (2+)
Children preparing to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion (usually Grade 2) participate in the Family Faith Formation sessions with their families. In addition, the children and parents participate in special monthly sacrament preparation sessions. These sessions are paired with At-Home Discipleship from the “Blessed” curriculum (learn more about the program and the “Blessed” workbooks and videos on our website.)
OPENING SESSION
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AT ST. PAUL
10:15-11:00am in the Parish Hall following the 9:00am Family Mass
Click here for the full schedule.
CONFIRMATION PREPARATION (8+)
Our Confirmation Small Groups have formed and are starting to meet! Emails have gone out to all registered families with their student’s group assignment and schedule. If you registered but did not receive an email please let us know as soon as possible – email Sr. Colleen or call either parish office.
CONFIRMATION ENROLLMENT MASS
Sunday, November 1 at 5:00pm at St. John the Evangelist Church
At this special Mass, Fr. Jim will invite the Confirmation candidates forward to sign the Book of Enrollment in the presence of the community, signifying their desire for the Sacrament and their commitment to the process of preparation.
The candidates are agreeing to explore what it means to receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in their lives, and to remain open to what God is asking of them at this moment. They are also committing to contribute to their small groups with their attendance and positive participation, and to be active members of the faith community.
We, as a community, are committing to pray for and support these young people as they dedicate themselves to this process.
This is an important step in your child’s preparation for the Sacrament – please make every effort to participate in this Mass.
Click here for the full schedule.