Family Faith Formation
A program that works with you, but won’t work without you!
Our Faith Formation program is not a school-based curriculum involving textbooks and tests. Rather it is a support system for families who wish to be faithful Catholics, and pass that faith on to their children. As the primary catechists of their children, parents play a vital role in handing on the faith through both word and deed. We cannot hope to produce faithful children simply by passing on information! This is why Family Faith Formation involves prayer, projects, discussions, and activities, as well as teaching facts.
In particular it will be expected that families enrolled in the parish faith formation programs will practice memorizing basic Catholic prayers, regularly attend Mass (whether in person or remotely), and ensure each child’s understanding of the doctrine, sacraments, and moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Doing so will of course require that parents are themselves prepared spiritually through regular confession, reception of the Holy Eucharist. If there are any impediments to parents fully practicing the faith, the church is ready to help!
Sacrament preparation for children typically begins in first grade (but no younger than 6 years old). Children aged 7 or older usually participate in first reconciliation (confession) after the families' first year of the program (e.g., in 1st or 2nd grades) , and receive their first Holy Communion after the families' first year of the program (e.g., in 3rd or 4th grade). The total number of monthly sessions count toward this catechetical goal, so if a family must miss out on one or more in a given year, they do not "lose" that year. Rather, the total sessions will continue to add up in proceeding years.
We understand that this can seem to be a daunting task! The parish Faith Formation Department’s role is to support parents and guardians in their efforts – but in the end, it will be the families themselves who are responsible for the program’s success or failure. If you do not think that this will be possible for your family, we encourage you to contact St. Joseph’s for consultation or consider taking a year off from your child’s catechesis to reflect on how you might best prepare for this role.
In particular it will be expected that families enrolled in the parish faith formation programs will practice memorizing basic Catholic prayers, regularly attend Mass (whether in person or remotely), and ensure each child’s understanding of the doctrine, sacraments, and moral teachings of the Catholic Church. Doing so will of course require that parents are themselves prepared spiritually through regular confession, reception of the Holy Eucharist. If there are any impediments to parents fully practicing the faith, the church is ready to help!
Sacrament preparation for children typically begins in first grade (but no younger than 6 years old). Children aged 7 or older usually participate in first reconciliation (confession) after the families' first year of the program (e.g., in 1st or 2nd grades) , and receive their first Holy Communion after the families' first year of the program (e.g., in 3rd or 4th grade). The total number of monthly sessions count toward this catechetical goal, so if a family must miss out on one or more in a given year, they do not "lose" that year. Rather, the total sessions will continue to add up in proceeding years.
We understand that this can seem to be a daunting task! The parish Faith Formation Department’s role is to support parents and guardians in their efforts – but in the end, it will be the families themselves who are responsible for the program’s success or failure. If you do not think that this will be possible for your family, we encourage you to contact St. Joseph’s for consultation or consider taking a year off from your child’s catechesis to reflect on how you might best prepare for this role.
