The purpose of Faith Formation is to teach the truths of the Catholic faith and help people grow closer to God through both educational and spiritual development. The educational component includes learning about tenets, prayers, saints, and why Catholics do what they do. The spiritual component involves living as a Catholic Christian and viewing the world through that lens. All grades from 1st to 8th will take classes covering topics appropriate to their level. Sacrament preparation typically begins in 1st/2nd grade and 7th/8th grade. Families are encouraged to participate fully in the program and Mass. Volunteers are needed to assist with various events.

1. Open the Door of Faith

2. Purpose
The purpose of Faith Formation is to:
 teach the truths of the Catholic faith,
 learn to apply them to our daily lives
 grow closer to God
Two parts: Educational; Spiritual

3. Educational
• Tenets of our faith
• Prayers
• Saints
• Why we do what we do
• What we believe
• How we profess that belief
• “head” knowledge

4. Spiritual
• Cannot be taught
• How you live your life as a Catholic Christian
• The lens through which you view the world
• “heart/soul” knowledge

5. • Spiritual and Educational cannot be separated
• Parish is here is help you form your children in
the Catholic faith
• You must participate
– Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation
– Pray at home together
– Read Bible stories, lives of Saints
– Be active in the parish
– Celebrate Catholic events, seasons such as Advent
and Lent

6. Program Overview
• All grades, 1-8, will have classes at the parish
• On-line is an option if necessary
• Grades 1-3 will use the Faith and Life series
• Grades 4-5 will use a Bible based curriculum
• Grades 6-7 will use Encounter, a Bible study
• Grade 8 will use One Eight for Confirmation
prep

7. Sacrament Preparation
• Sacrament preparation programs are two
years
• Usually grades 1 and 2 prepare for First
Penance and Communion
• Children enrolled in Catholic School are
prepared in school and receive the sacraments
here; need to register
• Penance is celebrated during Lent of 2nd
grade
• Communion in May of 2nd grade

8. • Usually grades 7 and 8 prepare for
Confirmation
• Confirmation is received in 9th grade per
diocesan policy
• Youth enrolled in Catholic School attend the
first year of preparation in school, the second
year in the parish

9. Liturgy of the Word
• 9:00 am Mass every Sunday during the school
year except Easter
• For Children grades pre-K 4 -5
• No registration, visitors welcome
• The Word Explained for grades 6-8
• Need help with this program

10. Schedule
• Class time: 10 – 11:15 am
• We will begin each class with Opening Prayer
at 9:55 in the hall, all grades and families
together
• Service Nights: Dec 6 and April 4
• First Penance: April 4, 2014
• First Communion: May 4, 2014

11. Program Procedures
• Please bring your child into the hall through the
main glass doors
• Join us for Opening Prayer each session
• Confirmation group can be picked up in the car line;
if the usual mode is walking on their own, send a
note.
• Send a note if your child is going home with
someone else
• Children not enrolled in the program cannot come
to class.
• If your child will not be present in class please
email or call

12. • We will have a small snack for catechists to
distribute at some point during class
• Children should not gather in the courtyard
before class but come right into the hall;
therefore avoiding the coffee and food

13. Communication
• Email
• Constant Contact (e-newsletter)
• Bulletin
• Snail mail
• Facebook
• Google+
• Website
• Parish Blog

14. Possibilities
• Choir: rehearsal Mondays at 4 with
homework time at 3
• Middle School Youth group
• Parent program

15. Help Needed
• Dec 8: Service night and family penance
service,
The plan: dinner, fill stockings for Pat Reeves
Center, go to confession
Need someone to organize dinner, get
stockings, contact the center to get list of
children, collect items

16. • April 4: Service night and family penance
service, also First Penance.
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Take pictures at events
• Buy and set up snack

17. Resources
www.smp.org Children’s Bible App
Bustedhalo.com
Ascensionpress.com Encounter Program