Faith Formation Class Times - 2022-2023
Ages: 3-5 yrs. 6:00-7:15, 2nd or 3rd Wednesday of the Month (check calendar)
Grades: 1 - 6 6:00-7:15, 1st Wednesday of the Month
First Recolciliation/First Communion: 1st Wednesday of the Month and 2nd or 3rd Wednesday of the Month
Grades: 7-12 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesdays
Confirmation: 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesdays
Cirriculum
Preschool and Kindergarten
We have been working on starting a Level 1 Atrium for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. CGS is a common religious experience, based in the Montessori method, involving children and adults in which the religious values of childhood, primarily those values of contemplation and enjoyment of God, are predominant. This experience is shared in a place particularly prepared for the religious life of children called the Atrium. We are excited to slowly begin this year. For this year, these children will meet once a month as well, at the same time as the other elementary children. If you also have older children, you are encouraged to include your preschool and kindergarteners in your home lessons.
1st-6th Grade
Family Formation will replace the weekly Sunday morning elementary classes. This is a shift from a weekly classroom model for children to a monthly session for children and parents at church. This will then be followed by weekly home lessons for the remainder of the month. At the monthly sessions, children gather with a teacher by grade while parents receive catechesis based on the monthly theme and receive guidance on the home lessons.
This program’s unique format will draw your family together through the enthusiastic faith of your children. Its creativity and simple concepts make learning fun, as each lesson is written at an elementary level but with adult level instruction to guide and enhance your teaching. Parents do not have to be experts in the Faith, just willing to devote about an hour a week to quality family time in sharing the Faith. Understanding the busy schedules of today’s families, the weekly lessons at home can be adapted to your own family schedule. The lessons will provide the backbone for your children’s spiritual formation in these formative years.
This comprehensive program not only engages young children, it draws families together, and equips parents to do a first rate job in teaching the Catholic Faith to their children. It follows a three-year liturgical cycle, is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church, is driven by Sacred Scripture, and references the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It covers all tenets of our Catholic Faith.
First Reconciliation and First Communion
Those preparing to receive their First Reconciliation and First Communion this year will attend classes two weeks per month: the monthly Family Formation sessions with their parents, as well as one additional Wednesday evening a month (children only) that will focus on the sacraments.
7th grade and above (except Confirmation)
We will be moving to a small group model using the YDisciple program. We believe that teens need to belong in order to believe. YDisciple gives us the tools to create small group environments where teens are known, loved and cared for in a comfortable space. Small group discipleship is the process of young people becoming more deeply committed followers of Jesus while being guided in that process by a mentor in a small group environment. This allows the mentor to focus on the needs of a few particular young people, provides a space for those young people to dialogue about the faith, and provides community that is essential to the life of a disciple. YDisciple also provides strategies to help parents engage their teens in meaningful conversations. Groups will pick which studies they do throughout the year.
Confirmation
Those preparing to receive their Confirmation this year will be using Dynamic Catholic's Decision Point.