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. Resoruces 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

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
Weekly Video and Discussion (at home)
- View and discuss with your child, the Blessed video series for First Reconciliation and First Communion by Dynamic Catholic
- Videos are available on the parish website (link will be provided)
- A detailed Blessed First Reconciliation and First Communion Parent Guide will be provided to assist with getting the maximum benefit and formation from the video formation series
Monthly Attendance at Sacramental Preparation Sessions (total of 6)
- 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 many to choose from
  - In person, at home and virtual events are available.
  - Deep Dive Schedule Download
  - Deep Dive Event Descriptions
Interviews
- One 30-minute First Reconciliation readiness interview
- One 30-minute First Holy Communion readiness interview
- These interviews are conducted with parents and children in a small group setting
Parent Video Series
- Parent is to complete the Forgiven and Presence Video Series (3 videos per each series)
  - Videos and questions will be made available on the parish website (links will be provided)
First Reconciliation Preparation (October - December 2023)
If you have not previously signed into FORMED, click below to sign up as a parishioner JOIN FORMED
Parent Preparation
- Watch Forgiven: Session 1: Where are You? and answer the questions
- Watch Forgiven Session 2: And Encounter with Mercy and answer the questions
- Watch Forgiven Session 3: The Rite Explained and answer questions
Parent and Child Preparation
- Monthly Sacramental Preparation Class
- Parents must attend the last 30 minutes of class
- Watch Dynamic Catholic's Blessed videos (use Blessed First Reconciliation Guidebook
- Learn the basic Catholic prayers
- Saints in the Making Guidebook
- 30-minute First Reconciliation Interview
- Children show readiness to celebrate First Reconciliation when:
  
  They have the desire to receive the sacrament
  
  They know the difference between right and wrong
  
  They have the ability to distinguish between “mistakes” and “accidents” which are non-intentional actions; and “sins” or on-purpose intentional actions.
  
  They are capable of saying, “I am sorry” on their own and are capable of contrition, or sorrow, for having offended God by their sins.
  
  They are capable of making an Examination of Conscience to recall the times they have offended God and hurt themselves and others by their sins.
  
  They understand how to celebrate the Rite of Reconciliation.
  
  They understand that God will always forgive them when they are truly sorry.
  
  They believe that the priest forgives our sins in Jesus’ name when he prays the prayer of absolution.
  
  They understand that to be truly forgiven of their sins, they must do the penance (prayer or action) assigned by the priest.
  
  They should understand and be able to recite their basic Catholic prayers: Sign of the Cross, Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and the Act of Contrition.

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