Mission Statement
Empowering families within the larger faith formation context of St. John-St. Paul Catholic Collaborative, the Family Faith Formation program seeks to accompany and equip parents in their baptismal role as the first and best teachers of the faith for their children. Creating a dynamic and enriching atmosphere of learning and formation, Family Faith Formation nurtures the faith of adults and children alike to experience the richness of our Catholic faith and to grow together in loving relationship with God and our entire Collaborative faith community.
What is Family Faith Formation?
Family Faith Formation represents a noticeable role reversal from the typical “classroom” model of CCD, in which faith formation is treated as a subject to be learned. With Family Faith Formation, parents are empowered, supported, and equipped to impart the faith to their children as a way of life.
Family Faith Formation programs feature monthly gatherings of parents and children together at the parish for catechesis and community. In between these gatherings, the faith is learned and lived out at home. In addition to the input from the monthly sessions, families are provided with a grade-level book for each child to help guide their faith formation, ensuring a solid foundation from a trusted curriculum.
In this model, the role of the parish is to meet parents and children where they are, to accompany them in tangible ways, and to provide the tools they need to have a shared encounter of God in their homes. These programs also offers a flexibility that accommodates a much wider range of schedules and learning styles than traditional classroom-based programs, which makes them easier for families of all shapes and sizes.
About Our Family Faith Formation Program
Our Family Faith Formation program for children in Grades K-7 is organized in three grade-level cohorts. Each cohort meets six times over the year (October through April, about once a month) for 45 minutes. All cohorts focus on the same theme each month, which creates a cohesive structure that supports families with children in multiple grades.
Children preparing to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion (usually Grade 2) participate in the six Family Faith Formation sessions with their families.
In addition, there are five special sessions: an introduction and overview session in the fall, two reflection and catechesis sessions over the winter, and two detailed sacrament preparation and instruction sessions in the spring.
Please visit First Reconciliation and First Communion for more information.
Grades K-2: Mustard Seeds
PLEASE NOTE: All sessions are Family Sessions (children and parent(s) together.) Children may not be “dropped off” without a parent or guardian.
If you have children in both the K-2 Mustard Seeds and 3-5 Loaves and Fishes cohorts you do not need to attend both sessions in the same month. You can attend either session with all your children – we will have activities for both age-groups at all sessions.
After participating in the Sunday 9am Family Mass, parents and children gather together at 10:15am for an opening prayer and a “Focus on Faith” reflection given by a member of our pastoral team (Fr. Jim Laughlin, Kelly Meraw, Sr. Colleen Gibson.) After the reflection, the session leader guides parents in small group discussions and reviews the at-home material for the coming month, while the Children’s Faith Formation team guides the children in a related activity. The session ends by 11:00am with all gathered together for a closing prayer.
In the weeks in between the Family Sessions, parents continue the lessons at home on their own schedule, in whatever space and time works best for them, leaning on resources from the Family Session and their children’s grade-level books.
Families can also gather with friends or relatives in small groups to work together. Most importantly, families continue the conversation throughout the month, baking the richness of our faith into the daily interactions of family life.
Schedule for Grades K-2 Mustard Seeds:
10:15-11:00am following the Sunday 9am Family Mass (Powers Hall at St. John/Parish Hall at St. Paul)
- October 5, 2025 at St. John: The Liturgical Year
- November 9, 2025 at St. Paul: Jesus’ Life and Ministry
- December 7, 2025 at St. John: Advent
- January 25, 2026 at St. Paul: Sacraments of Initiation
- March 1, 2026 at St. John: Lent
- March 22, 2026 at St. Paul: Vocation
Grades 3-5: Loaves and Fishes
PLEASE NOTE: All sessions are Family Sessions (children and parent(s) together.) Children may not be “dropped off” without a parent or guardian.
If you have children in both the K-2 Mustard Seeds and 3-5 Loaves and Fishes cohorts you do not need to attend both sessions in the same month. You can attend either session with all your children – we will have activities for both age-groups at all sessions.
After participating in the Sunday 9am Family Mass, parents and children gather together at 10:15am for an opening prayer and a “Focus on Faith” reflection given by a member of our pastoral team (Fr. Jim Laughlin, Kelly Meraw, Sr. Colleen Gibson.) After the reflection, the session leader guides parents in small group discussions and reviews the at-home material for the coming month, while the Children’s Faith Formation team guides the children in a related activity. The session ends by 11:00am with all gathered together for a closing prayer.
In the weeks in between the Family Sessions, parents continue the lessons at home on their own schedule, in whatever space and time works best for them, leaning on resources from the Family Session and their children’s grade-level books.
Families can also gather with friends or relatives in small groups to work together. Most importantly, families continue the conversation throughout the month, baking the richness of our faith into the daily interactions of family life.
Schedule for Grades 3-5 Loaves and Fishes:
10:15-11:00am following the Sunday 9am Family Mass (Powers Hall at St. John/Parish Hall at St. Paul)
- October 19, 2025 at St. John: The Liturgical Year
- November 23, 2025 at St. Paul: Jesus’ Life and Ministry
- December 7, 2025 at St. John: Advent
- January 11, 2026 at St. Paul: Sacraments of Initiation
- March 1, 2026 at St. John: Lent
- March 15, 2026 at St. John: Vocation
Grades 6-7: Salt and Light
PLEASE NOTE: There are four student-only sessions and two family sessions (parent(s) attend these sessions with their child.)
Sessions begin at 4:00pm with an opening prayer and “Focus on Faith” reflection given by a member of our pastoral team. After the reflection, the Children’s Faith Formation team guides the students in further catechesis and related activities. Sessions end at 4:45pm and students and families are encouraged to attend the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass together. In the weeks in between sessions, children and parents continue the lessons at home on their own schedule, in whatever space and time works best for them.
This model helps to transition children to a more independent experience in Confirmation Preparation in Grade 8, while allowing parents to continue to accompany their children on their faith journey.
Schedule for Grades 6-7: Salt and Light
4:00-4:45pm preceding the Sunday 5pm Youth Mass (Powers Hall at St. John/Parish Hall at St. Paul)
- October 26, 2025 at St. Paul: The Liturgical Year (Family Session with Parents)
- November 16, 2025 at St. John: Jesus’ Life and Ministry
- December 14, 2025 at St. Paul: Advent
- February 1, 2026 at St. John: Sacraments of Initiation (Family Session with Parents)
- March 1, 2026 at St. John: Lent
- April 12, 2026 at St. Paul: Vocation