Grades 1-8 Programs

Children in Grades 1-3 meet twice per month, Sunday mornings beginning in October, 10:45 a.m. – 12 noon. Children in grade 2 will prepare for the Sacrament of First Reconciliation and children in grade 3 will prepare for the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. It is very important in the sacramental years that your child attends every session. Excessive absences will require additional preparation on the part of the family in coordination with the Faith Formation Office in order for your child to celebrate the sacrament.

Children in Grades 4-8 will have two new options to choose from – a Family Faith Formation Program or an Online Self-directed Faith Formation Program. The two programs both emphasize worshiping together at Mass, understanding and applying the Gospel message to our own lives, continuing to explore church doctrine, and providing opportunities for community gatherings. One is not better than the other but rather different approaches to faith based on what works best for your family. For planning and scheduling ease, we ask that whichever option you choose you remain with that option for the entire Faith Formation year.

• The Family Faith Formation Program is based on building community and worshiping together. Families will meet in small groups twice per month beginning in October, on Sundays either 4:15pm – 5:30 p.m. or 5:45 p.m. – 7 p.m. to grow in faith together while participating in various activities and service projects. During the registration process you will have the opportunity to select either the earlier session or the later session and you will be asked to remain in that time slot for the entire Faith Formation year. At least one adult/parent will attend their chosen session with their children in this age group. The sessions will be facilitated by staff and volunteers yet will also be dependent on families playing a more active role in their child’s faith formation.
• The Online Self-directed Faith Formation Program is based on parents fulfilling the role of catechist for their children. Beginning in October, each child in your family will work independently online each week with activities based on the Gospel message and fulfill the weekly submission. In addition, there will be several instances throughout the year where children accompanied by a parent/adult will attend in-person sessions, most likely liturgically based activities such as Stations of the Cross during the Lenten season, to continue to build community and provide opportunities to worship together.