Faith Formation General Information

Enrollment

• Official launches every Spring/Summer but allowed year-round.
• Enrollment link: stjmod.com/enrollment
  • Choose language
  • Fill out Parent Information Form online and pay fee: $75/program (Family Faith Formation for grades 1-5, Confirmaiton for teens in 6-12) regardless of number of children/teens enrolled in each program).
  • Fill out Children's information form (1/child)
• Parents must have a ParishStaq profile to enroll (which they can do through the parish office).
• The process for those without credit cards is to pay at the parish office, bring receipt to FF dept.
• The process for those who wish to use a scholarship is to contact the Faith Formation dept.

Participation

• Each program has weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly sessions which are able to be completed in a two-year repeating (A/B) curriculum.
  • Session participation is tallied rather than granting "credit" for annual attendance.
    
• Programs can be started any time and will simply continue until session participation requirements are met (see below for individual process details).
  • As a general rule at least 80% participation is required for sacrament preparation.
    • Limited session makeup opportunities are also available for edge cases.
• Session participation will not begin to be tallied until all necessary paperwork and certificates are submitted.
• Progress through our programs will be reflected in ParishStaq via a Process Cue.

Family Faith Formation ​ (Children 1st-5th grade)

• This is a two-year program aimed at helping parents become their children's primary catechists.
  • Ongoing faith formation is highly recommended beyond the 2-year sacrament preparation minimum!
• Sessions in English and Spanish meet monthly on Sunday before the 5pm Mass (e.g., 3pm to 4:30).
  • The teaching is adult-level.
  • Children are welcome and we have optional activities for them to do in the Hall while parents are in the main session.
• We plan for 10 sessions / year - 16 is the minimum required for sacrament preparation.
• Various assessment means may be used (e.g., project submission, interview with pastors, etc.)
• During the child's sacrament reception year there will be additional catechesis and practice required for that particular sacrament.
  • After first year (8-10 sessions): Confession
  • After second year (16-20 sessions): Communion

Confirmation (Teens 6th-12th Grade)

• This is a three -year program to prepare students for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
• Sessions for years one and two are held twice monthly in grade clusters.
  • Sundays alternate between 6-7 grade and 8-9 grade.
    • After the 5pm Mass 6:30pm-8:00pm in the Hall.
  • The Second and Fourth Mondays are used for grades 10-12.
    • 6:30pm-7:30pm in JPII room 11.
• Sessions for Confirmation year (3rd year) are held the last four Wednesdays before Confirmation.
• We plan for an Orientation and Circle of Grace Lesson every year.
• We plan for 10-12 classes of content every year. Students can miss up to three classes per year.
• Assessment is primarily done through discussion in small groups with additional interviews with the Youth Minister or Pastor. 

Christian Initiation (OCIA) / Sacrament Preparation

Adult Initiation

• PARTICIPATION
  • "Enrollment" begins with an in-person interview with the Director of Faith Formation (DFF)
    • Assessment of spiritual education / practice / state of life is made to give an accurate picture of the individual's process.
  • Fees:
    • The program is free for those desiring full Christian Initiation or coming into full communion with the Catholic Church.
    • There is a $50 materials fee for those who are only completing their sacraments.
• Sessions
  • Adult faith formation meets weekly on Monday nights from 6:30 to 8:30.
  • Sessions are held in person year-round with holiday and summer vacation breaks of 6-8 weeks (late November to January and June-July).
• Assessment
  • Participation requirements are approximately 80% but vary depending on session topics and individual needs as assessed by the DFF.
  • Participants meet regularly with the DFF to track progress and personal devotion.

Teen Initiation (6th-12th Grade)

• Teen imitation is covered by the Confirmation preparation program above.
  • The exception will be if a teen is too old to complete the Confirmation program before they "age out."
  • E.g. a 12th grader would likely begin in Adult Initiation (OCIA) rather than starting in youth ministry and then finishing in Adult Ministry.
• Additional catechesis / practice will be required during the teen's sacrament reception year.

Children's Initiation (1st - 5th Grade)

• Unbaptized children 7 years of age or older participate with their parents in a catechetical program devoted to teaching the children (and, indirectly, their parents) the faith.
• Children beginning in this program will remain in it through 6th grade rather than being transferred to Youth Ministry after 5th grade.
• Sessions meet weekly in the afternoon ____________________________
• Additional catechesis / practice will be required during the teen's sacrament reception year.