The Archdiocese of Boston is calling on parishes to embrace a new vision of faith formation – one that supports parents in their role as the first teachers of the faith, facilitates lifelong faith formation for all generations, encourages missionary discipleship in addition to catechesis, and engages the talents of the whole parish community.
We have a particular sense of urgency in embracing this vision. Last year, the Archdiocese lowered the ordinary age of Confirmation from around the age of 16 (typically Grade 10) to around the age of 13-14 (typically Grade 8). This change was made to increase and strengthen the role of parents in the faith formation of their young teens, and to allow for a much-needed renewal of high school youth ministry – one that goes beyond sacramental preparation.
This past spring, 234 young people in grades 8-12 received the Sacrament of Confirmation in our parishes, exponentially increasing the number of high school teens who need a robust youth ministry program to accompany them during this time of great transition and growth in their lives. Being ready to accompany these newly-confirmed teens on their journey and helping them stay connected to their faith, their parish, and each other is vitally important – for them, for our Collaborative, and for the Church.
Our Pastoral team, in partnership with our Children’s Faith Formation and Youth Ministry teams, is working to develop a unified approach to faith formation, ministry, and liturgy that builds bridges between the programs, invigorates our liturgy and worship, and renews the engagement of our young children, teens, and families in the life of the parish, especially Sunday Mass.
We will continue to share information and updates about this work over the coming weeks and months as we embark on this journey of renewal as a Collaborative.
THE CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST
The Eucharist – the Sacrifice of the Mass – is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” The liturgy is the high point of our lives as Catholic Christians and is the source from which we find strength to live as Christ’s people. From this celebration of the Eucharist we are sent in mission, ready to glorify God by our lives. As such, all faith formation centers around the full, active participation of our children and families in the celebration of the Mass.
Our Sunday 9:00am Family Mass is a family-focused liturgy, with opportunities for children of all ages to serve as greeters, ushers, and gift bearers, and for older children to serve as lectors and altar servers. This Mass is the centerpiece of our programs for our younger children and families.
Our Sunday 5pm Youth Mass is a deliberately youth-centered liturgy, with our young people central to and actively involved in all aspects of the Mass. From the music, to the homilies, to the Spirit-filled sense of vibrancy and joy, we are prayerfully approaching a liturgy that touches the hearts and minds of our young people and all who come to celebrate the Mass together. This Mass is the centerpiece of our program for older children in Grades 6 and 7, as well as teens in our Confirmation Preparation and High School Youth Ministry programs.
As always, parents are the primary educators of their children, and our Children’s Faith Formation programs serve to support and enhance their important mission.
CALENDAR
Programs runs from late September through early May, and calendars for the upcoming school year are emailed to all registered families (and posted here) in late August.
REGISTRATION
For information about registration please email Linda Messore, Director of Children’s Faith Formation.
FEE INFORMATION
Regular Fee:
- $100 per child
Additional Fees:
- First Communion (usually Grade 2): $75 per child
- Confirmation (usually Grade 8): $100 per child
Family Max:
- There is a Family Max of $300 per family (does not include fees).
CONTACT INFORMATION
Linda Messore
Director of Children’s Faith Formation
linda.messore@sjspwellesley.org
Andrea Fay
Children’s Faith Formation Staff
andrea.fay@sjspwellesley.org