Open the Door of Faith

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

Educational

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

Spiritual

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

• 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

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

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

• 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

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

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

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

• 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

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

Possibilities

• Choir: rehearsal Mondays at 4 with homework time at 3

• Middle School Youth group• Parent program

Help Needed

• Dec 8: Service night and family penance service,

The plan: dinner, fill stockings for Pat Reeves Center, go to confessionNeed someone to organize dinner, get stockings, contact the center to get list of children, collect items

• April 4: Service night and family penance service, also First Penance.

• Easter Egg Hunt• Take pictures at events• Buy and set up snack

Resources

www.smp.org Children’s Bible AppBustedhalo.com Ascensionpress.com Encounter Program