What is the benefit of participating during this year?
This year’s program is NOT the Pflaum Gospel weeklies of last year or any other text based program, but a more experiential program. It will provide ways to weave faith formation into the fabric of family life in only 5-10 minutes of each day rather than trying to block off an hour a week. Faith will be fostered in the home in a variety of ways so that God becomes a part of your daily life.
Each monthly unit will be embedded within the Catholic Social Teachings and you can pick and choose the way you will incorporate our materials and tools into your family’s routine.
When appropriate, we will include opportunities to be in community for Christian service, prayer experiences, and liturgical events.
It’s an opportunity to grow and to strengthen your relationships with God and your family.
If this reimagined program is approached with an open heart and an open mind, the rewards will be immeasurable.
Will there be regular sessions / meeting times?
There won’t be Zoom “classes”. There may be some zoom gatherings, but those will be group specific and scheduled separately. The Faith Formation program is designed to provide you with the guidance needed to strengthen the Domestic Church at home and on your own time. You won't need to set aside one hour a week, you will be able to bring God into your life by reading and discussing activities that take 5-10 minutes a day. All of the information will be available on our website.
What is the Domestic Church?
Click Here for a great podcast on the Domestic Church.
Simply stated, the family is the domestic church because faith begins in the home.
Our hope is that you will explore and journey together in faith as a family and we will provide support. God is present in everyday moments; in the family that prays together; as parents teach by word and example; when all members of the family have the opportunity to share their experiences and hopes and dreams with each other.
How much will it cost?
The tuition fees remain the same as last year. Tuition is $100 / student. (Students in grades 7,8,9 add $50 for retreat and speaker; Students in grades 2 & 10 add $75 for retreat and speakers)
Why is tuition the same rate as last year?
Faith Formation has always been subsidized by the respective parish. It always has been and always will be the case. Expenses that support the traditional infrastructure remain the same. Re-imagining a whole new way of delivering faith formation in a meaningful and relevant way has been no small task, and our program will offer you:
*Fr. Steve would never turn away a student for financial reasons. Please reach out to him or the Faith Formation Office if this is a concern.
What happens if my child misses a year of Faith Formation classes?
Ultimately, participating is your choice, but make-up work will be required to reenter the program the following year. This has always been our policy. Attending faith formation on a consistent basis is important to the faith development of children and teens. Learning and growing in faith is different from participating and/or not participating in an extracurricular activity. That being said, we invite you to approach this year’s program with an open heart and open mind.
When will the program start?
There will be a Blessing of the Students on Sunday September 20, in a 4pm Park & Pray at both St. Edward and St. Jude. *Sacramental materials will be distributed at that time for students in Grades 2, 8, 9, and 10.
Resources and activities for families will be available on our website beginning the week of October 5, 2020. You will receive an email at the beginning of each month with the password to reach the material on our website.
How does it work?
Will you still need volunteers? How can I help?
We always need volunteers! Volunteers are needed to assume the role of a Faith Formation Family Ambassador who will:
What is the Portrait of a Confirmed Catholic?
We have re-evaluated the goals and objectives of our program and have created a Portrait of a Confirmed Catholic. We will be using the Portrait of a Confirmed Catholic as a guide for the materials and resources that we are curating for use at home.
How do I begin?
Register on our website.
What about First Communion / Reconciliation?
Students need to complete both 1st and 2nd grades of faith formation to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Exact dates for the reception of the sacraments are TBD because our situation is constantly changing. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding.
Grade 2: Together in Jesus, the First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation programs will be used for our grade 2 parents and students. The program will be available in print and digital format. We will start the year with a Park and Pray : Blessing of the Students on Sunday, Sept. 20th at 4 PM. Printed materials will be available to take home at that time.
What about Confirmation?
The Class of 2023 will receive Confirmation in Spring of 2021. Click HERE for a 10th grade program overview.
The Class of 2024 will receive Confirmation in Spring of 2022. Click HERE for a 9th grade program overview
But please note that starting this year, Confirmation Prep, which is a 2-year program, will now begin in the 8th grade which is different than in the past. Confirmation for the Class of 2025 will be received in the Fall of their 10th grade year. More information will be emailed to current 8th, 9th and 10th graders.