Family Faith Formation Program Overview

All Families

Our Faith Formation Program Consists of 4 Main Expectations for All Families
1. Daily Prayer: Pray each day as a family for 15 minutes. Resources will be provided to help your family develop a habit of prayer.
2. Weekly Mass: Participate in the Celebration of the Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. Resources will be provided to help your family fully and actively participate in the Mass.
3. Monthly Deep Dive: Participate in a Deep Dive. Deep Dives can be choosen based on families individual schedules and interests. 4 Deep Dives should be completed over the course of the year.
4. Monthly Discipleship Group/Class Session: Please see relevant age group for information regarding Discipleship/Parent Groups & Class Sessions.

Grade 1 Families

Grade 1: Faith Foundations

Parent and Child Expectations

Daily Prayer (at dinner, before bed, etc)
- Assist your child in learning the basic Catholic prayers.
- A prayer log and incentive "brag tags" are provided for parents, as well as puzze and word bank activoito
- NEW! Mama Mary Holy My Hand backpack resource
- This is an option for parents to choose to do as a family. Children can learn their basic Catholic prayers in the context of The Rosary. Families can 'check out' a "Mama Mary Hold My Hand" backpack that holds a Mary doll, rosaries, a storybook that will lead your family through the mysteries of The Rosary, a Rosary prayer log with a reflection journal where the child and/or parents can share their experience of bringing the Mama Mary Hold My Hand backpack into their home.
Weekly Attendance at Mass
- The celebration of Mass is the source and summit of our faith [SC #10]
- Children turn in a weekly Mass Ticket at Mass during the regular offertory at Mass
- Attending Mass weekly is the minimum expectation of all Catholics
Monthly Attendance at Sacramental Preparation Sessions (total of 7)
- Parents are to attend the last 30 minutes of their child's class session
- Absences from Sacramental Prep sessions should only occur in instances of illness or family emergency/longtime scheduled event as we only have 6 sessions.
Monthly Deep Dive (minimum of 4 per year)
- 2 of the 4 must be attended in Advent and Lent
- Parents are able to choose from the Deep Dive event offerings, of which there are many to choose from
  - In person, at home and virtual events are available.
  - Deep Dive Schedule Download
  - Deep Dive Event Descriptions

Grade 2 Families

Grade 2: Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
The below links will connect you to all the necessary details regarding that particular subject.

Parent and Child Expectations

First Reconciliation Preparation
First Reconciliation Videos Parent Guide

First Communion Preparation
First Communion Videos Parent Guide

Grade 3-6 Families

Parent Disicpleship Groups & Class Sessions

Families with children in Grade 3-6 should attend their monthly Family Gathering Sessions. Family Gathering Sessions will take place in at St. Mary's before and after the 11:0am Mass (9:15-10:45am OR 12:15-1:45pm) and at St. John's after the 9:30 Mass (10:45-12:15pm). St. Margaret's families are asked to attend the Family Gathering Session at St. John's. Parents and children will begin sessions together in parish hall. Some months parents will leave to attend their Discipleship Groups and children will remain in the hall in grade level groups. Parents will rejoin children at end of session and all will be dismissed from Hall. Some months parents and children will remain together for the entire session. At least one parent is expected to attend the whole session each month.

Grade 7 - 8 Families

Grade 7 - 8 Class Sessions and Parent Sessions

Children in 7th and 8th Grade will have 1 class per month. All children in Grades 7&8, regardless of parish, will have class at St. Margaret's Hall on Sunday from 11:15am-12:45pm. At least one parent/guardian will be expected to attend an accompanying parent session at the same time as their child(ren)'s class for certain sessions throughout the year (a schedule will be provided).

Confirmation

Confirmation Class Sessions and Parent Groups
Youth preparing for Confirmation will have class on Sundays either once or twice a month, depending on the month. All youth, regardless of parish, will have Confirmation class at St. John's Hall from 4:15 - 5:45 pm. At least one parent/guardian will be expected to attend class with their child(ren) 3 times throughout the year. Parents will be placed in Parent Groups for these sessions. Parents may select which class sessions they attend based on their availablity and interests (a schedule with topics for each session will be provided).

Additional Expecations for Confirmation II
Those in their final year of Confirmation preperation will also be asked to complete the following:
- Letter to the Bishop
- Saint Name Form
- Sponsor Form
- Sacramental Records on File
- Candidate Sponsor Evening
- Interview with Pastor
- Retreat and Rehearsal