Youth Faith Formation Overview

The “ccd” or “religious education” program of the past has a new name and mission, Youth Faith Formation. Youth Faith Formation continues the great mission of The Christ Initiative and grows the programs into a model that focuses on the whole family, learning and growing in faith together, at home and with the parish community. We will support and empower parents in developing their own faith lives and passing that faith along to their children and the household. 

The 2019-2020 is a “bridging year” between the traditional program, Classroom-Based and at home family-centered program with parish community-building elements, Family-Based for grades 1, 3-6. The Family-Based program is flexible for families and a way to build stronger faithful homes and simultaneously buildings a stronger parish community. Both options have a focus on families attending Sunday Mass regularly and with two great options with PathFinders.  

Sacramental Prep: Reconciliation & Eucharist for grade 2 follows the Classroom-Based model with Sacramental Family Gatherings throughout the year to support families prepare to receive the Reconciliation & Eucharist. Youth Faith Formation for grades 7-8 follows the similar schedule as last year, monthly Sunday gatherings but hosted at St. Anges Hall. All programs have a focus on families attending Sunday Mass regularly. 

Please review all the details below as we start the new year in Youth Faith Formation! 

 

First Things First: Sunday Mass

Mass is central to living out our Catholic Faith; it is where we receive our life-giving bread and learn about Jesus through Scripture and prayer. Our community will walk with you on this journey and participate with you during Sunday Mass. We are committed to offering excellent liturgy through beautiful music, inspiring homilies, and a warm welcome to all. 

We ask for your family’s commitment to attend Mass together regularly. On our part, we commit to improving your experience to be more inspiring, fulfilling, and uplifting. 

PathFinders

Our Children’s Liturgy of the Word happens during the 8:30 AM Mass at St. Rose of Lima and 10:00 AM Mass at St. Agnes. Children ages 5-9 are invited to the parish hall to hear the Sunday Gospel in language they understand, reflect on how the scripture speaks to their lives, and respond in active ways, while their parents remain in Mass and are treated to an uninterrupted experience of the Scriptures, great music and inspiring homilies before the children rejoin the adult community for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  

Children ages 5-9 are always welcome, and parents are invited to check out PathFinders with their children anytime. Children ages 10-13 and adults are welcome to join the PathFinders Team!  

PathFinders will return Sunday, September 29th at the 10:00 AM Mass at St. Agnes Church. Pathfinders will alternate locations/times between the 8:30 AM Mass at St. Rose of Lima and 10:00 AM Mass at St. Agnes. Our goal is to build a team at each church so that PathFinders can happen weekly at both churches.  

Youth Faith Formation Grades 1, 3-6

Faith Formation for grades 1, 3-6 uses St. Mary’s Press DISCOVER! program. Each child receives their own Discover! Kit, containing everything they need for their exciting faith journey. Children will dive into Bible stories in their own Catholic Children's Bible to encounter Jesus through the stories and people of scripture. They connect the Bible story and enjoy hands-on activities with Catholic teaching through age-appropriate prayers, puzzles, and challenges in their Activity Book. Watch as they connect the dots and transform a learned faith into a joyfully lived faith! 

Youth Faith Formation grades 1, 3-6 has two options for your family, Classroom-based or Family-based.  

Classroom-Based

The classroom option is a traditional program that gathers every other week, hosted either at St. Agnes Church Hall or St. Rose of Lima Church Hall. The 14 sessions are led by volunteers and parent volunteers. Each household should volunteer for a least one session as a parent volunteer.  

• Families attend Sunday Mass regularly 
• Child attend classroom sessions from September-April 
• A parent volunteers as a Parent Volunteer for at least one session.

Family-Based

The NEW

Family-Based option offers the flexibility for your busy family schedule by offering sessions at home led by parents and gather together as a community at Family Gatherings on Sundays throughout the year. The sessions are one-on-one with parent and child and take approximately 20-30 minutes. 

• Families attend Sunday Mass regularly 
• Complete the DISCOVER program at home throughout the year. 
• Families attend Family Gatherings 

Family Gathering Schedule (Family-Based)

Family Gathering begins with a PathFinders Mass either 8:30 am (St. Rose of Lime) or 10 am (St. Agnes), a donut/coffee break and concludes an hour after the ending of Mass. 

• Sunday, October 6th – St. Rose of Lima - 8:30 AM 
• Sunday, November 24th – St. Agnes - 10:00 AM 
• Sunday, December 15th – St. Rose of Lima - 8:30 AM 
• Sunday, January 26th – St. Agnes - 10:00 AM 
• Sunday, February 9th – St. Agnes - 10:00 AM 
• Sunday, March 22 – St. Agnes - 10:00 AM 
• Sunday, April 26th – St. Rose of Lima - 8:30 AM 
•  

Sacramental Prep: Reconciliation & Eucharist

Sacramental Prep for Reconciliation & Eucharist (Grade 2) uses St. Mary’s Press GO, SEEK and FIND program. Based on the Catholic Children’s Bible (used by Grade 1, 3-6), children are led on an adventure of discovery as they explore the rich and beautiful significance of the sacraments in their lives. Go Seek and Find will engage and inspire children, creating a spirit of excitement and joy around their journey toward encountering Jesus through the treasures that are the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.  

Classroom sessions for children and Sacramental Family Gatherings are hosted at St. Agnes and St. Rose of Lima churches. At-home sessions are not available for Sacramental Prep. 

Remember:  

• Families attend Sunday Mass regularly 
• Child attend classroom sessions from September-April 
• Families attend Sacramental Family Gatherings

Sacramental Family Gatherings

Sacramental Family Gathering begins with a PathFinders Mass either 8:30 AM (St. Rose of Lima) or 10:00 AM (St. Agnes) followed by a donut/coffee break and concludes an hour after the ending of Mass.  

• Sunday, October 27th – St. Agnes – 10:00 AM 
• Sunday, November 17th – St. Rose of Lima – 8:30 AM 
• Sunday, December 8th – St. Agnes – 10:00 AM 
• Sunday, February 2nd – St. Rose of Lima – 8:30 AM 
• Sunday, March 8th – St. Agnes – 10:00 AM 

Youth Faith Formation Grades 7 & 8

Middle School Faith Formation uses Life Teen’s EDGE program. Edge is a Catholic middle school program that provides a safe fun place for young people to find Catholic community, to get answers to their questions about faith, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in a profound and personal way. Youth Faith Formation Grades 7 & 8 gather together monthly on Sundays from 4-5:30 pm at St. Agnes Parish Hall. 

• Families attend Sunday Mass regularly 
• Youth attend the monthly gatherings 
• Families attend an XLT event 

 

View the Youth Faith Formation 2019-2020 Calendar