"The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason it can and should be called a domestic church."

It is a community of faith, hope, and charity;

it assumes singular importance in the Church, as is evident in the New Testament.

Catechism of the Catholic Church #2204

Matthew 28:19-20 {New American Bible}

18 Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19 Go, therefore,and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

The Roman Catholic Code of Canon Law# 773 states the ordinary role of the parish pastor in the faith formation of the parish church.

It is a proper and grave duty especially of pastors of souls to take care of the catechesis of the Christian people so that the living faith of the faithful becomes manifest and active through doctrinal instruction and the experience of Christian life.

The Catechists & Facilitators of Our Lady of Lourdes Church CCD Program have shared in the responsibility of the pastor in the faith formation of the enrolled students.

Code of Canon Law 774 §1. Under the direction of legitimate ecclesiastical authority, solicitude for catechesis belongs to all members of the Church according to each one’s role.

CLASSROOM STRUCTURE to DIGITAL STRUCTURE to HOME

Normally, the CCD Program provides a structured classroom format in the instruction and practice of the Catholic Christian faith for its registered students. Catechists and Facilitators have serviced approximately 350 students every year from Grade 1-8 on Saturday CCD classes, Grade 9-12 on Sunday Confirmation Classes, and Adults on Wednesday Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) classes.

However, in March 2020 the public health emergency protocols set by our island government and archdiocese to guard the health and safety of our parish families had significantly impacted the “normal” operations of our church, and in particular, the catechetical service of its children and youth.

With the declaration of the public health emergency between March and May 2020, catechetical instruction ceased to be held in the physical setting of our church and relied on the digital setting available through Google Classroom.

Code of Canon Law #779 Catechetical instruction is to be given by using all helps, teaching aids, and instruments of social communication which seem more effective so that the faithful, in a manner adapted to their character, capabilities and age, and conditions of life, are able to learn Catholic doctrine more fully and put it into practice more suitably.

Digital online tools were the primary means to facilitate instruction in public and private schools. Google Classroom became the CCD Program format that housed the instructional resources and family activity materials.

Catechists, parents, and students had to learn how to navigate Google Classroom as a teaching and learning platform. Some students & their families already had experience through their schools on how to use this learning platform while others relied on online videos or trial and error in learning not only how to use the application but also the lessons provided. As a new catechetical environment, each set of CCD Students were limited in their completion of catechetical requirements.

Saturday CCD Families were encouraged to pray the rosary so that the children and youth would learn the life of Jesus Christ and practice their daily prayers.

Sunday Confirmation High School and Wednesday RCIA Students were given assignments from their respective instructional resources, LifeTeen’s “Purpose” and Augustine Institute’s “Symbolon.”

Some adequately completed program requirements through this platform; some requested for print versions.

This first factor - the public health requirements and the second factor - the effects of the clergy abuse scandal impacted the delivery of faith formation instruction. From March-May 2020, the Parents knew who the CCD Coordinators and Catechists were, having already had classroom interaction from August 2019 to February 2020. They knew that only instructional materials were provided via Google Classroom for the the high school students and that only the primary CCD Coordinator monitored student work and provided feedback to the students.

In 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the primary CCD Coordinator established the online presence for the CCD Program directly to the Parents. This was to provide online safety and security for both Parents and the CCD Program. This also provided the avenue to support the Primary Teachers of the Faith - to the Parents.

In 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, lessons and activities were designed to be practical and more relevant to the Family Life and to support parents in the Faith Formation of their Children and Youth. Delivery of instruction to families was through Google Meet.

In 2022-2023, the digital structure was limited to lesson resources. Delivery of instruction was through in person monthly Family Catechesis, or teaching. In those three years, Family Activities were completed as Family at home.

In 2023-2024, Parents, Teens, and Children gathered in person for Catechesis in the first weekend of the month. Then Teens and Children gathered for Catechesis in the second weekend of the month. Catechesis was focused for Parents and Teens; given to the large group in the Social Hall. Children attended Catechesis in the Religious Education Center. Family Activities were again completed as Family at home. Faith Formation Coordinators checked the completed Family Activities submitted the following month.

Whether the structure was classroom based, digital delivery, or family oriented, the CCD Program / the Faith Formation Ministry has always had four components: Worship, Word, Community, and Service. Each is integral to the well-rounded formation of each student.

Structured Catechesis: School-age children should receive formal and systematic catechesis in a parish-based catechetical program, a Catholic school, or a program of home-based catechesis in which the content of the faith and the experience of Christian life is presented authentically and completely.

CCD / Faith Formation Ministry has always recognized that the primary responsibility of student formation must be on & by those whom the church recognizes as the Primary Catechists of our beloved Roman Catholic Christian Church.

Code of Canon Law 774 §2. Parents above others are obliged to form their children by word and example in faith and in the practice of Christian life; sponsors and those who take the place of parents are bound by an equal obligation.

The knowledge, love, and service of our Lord Jesus Christ is begun in the lived faith of the family ~ when they go to mass, pray novenas, visit the sick, share Bible stories and the blessings of God in their lives. With the limitations begun by the pandemic response and the consequences it has placed on our parish church and with the catechesis necessary for the right and proper growth of each Christian, the Domestic Church - now more than ever - must embrace ~ as the Family of God ~ its ordinary function in the catechesis, or faith formation, of its children and youth.

Catechism of the Catholic Church 2223 Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested [self-less] service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. This requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgment, and self-mastery - the preconditions of all true freedom. Parents should teach their children to subordinate the "material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones." Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them:

CODE OF CANON LAW

Canon 226 §1. According to their own vocation, those who live in the marital state are bound by a special duty to work through marriage and the family to build up the people of God.

§2. Since they have given life to their children, parents have a most grave obligation and possess the right to educate them. Therefore, it is for Christian parents particularly to take care of the Christian education of their children according to the doctrine handed on by the Church.

Code of Canon Law III.I.II.774.\§2.1983. Parents above others are obliged to form their children by word and example in faith and in the practice of Christian life; sponsors and those who take the place of parents are bound by an equal obligation.

Declaration on Christian Education #3, Vatican II, 1965. Since parents have given children their life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. This role in education is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied where it is lacking. Parents are the ones who must create a family atmosphere animated by love and respect for God and man, in which the well-rounded personal and social education of children is fostered. Hence the family is the first school of the social virtues that every society needs

The Parents’ Role and Responsibility for the faith formation of children is recognized at the baptismal celebration. Children & Youth then learn about God & His Love and Mercy alongside the Parents’ participation in the faith with the Church & practice of their faith at Home. As Children and Youth get older, Parents seek support for a more structure faith formation.

RITE OF BAPTISM for CHILDREN

CELEBRANT:   What name do you give your child? (or: have you given?)

PARENTS:                      N.

CELEBRANT:   What do you ask of God's Church for N.?

PARENTS:                      Baptism.

…. parents may use other words, such as, "faith," "the grace of Christ," "entrance into the Church," "eternal life."

CELEBRANT:   You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring your child up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor. Do you clearly understand what you are undertaking?

PARENTS:                      We do.

With the guidance of the Pastor and the Clergy and the efforts of the CCD Program / Faith Formation Ministry Coordinators, Catechists, and Facilitators, and the help from the members of its various ministries and organizations, Our Lady of Lourdes Church seeks to support Parents in preparing Children and Youth for the informed and worthy celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation.

It is important to note that Parents, Catechists, and Facilitators must collaborate to ensure each of the four components - Worship, Word, Community, Works of Mercy - is met for each student. The Family Activities in each component are designed to provide practice of faith knowledge and so become evident to Parents and Catechists that each family and their student is adequately prepared for advancement to the informed and worthy celebration of the Sacraments.

COMMUNICATE. PARTICIPATE. CELEBRATE. FAMILY.

WORSHIP

Sunday Mass Attendance & Reflection as Family every Sunday

This component demonstrates how the Family lives out Deuteronomy 5:12 “Observe the sabbath day—keep it holy, as the LORD, your God, commanded you.”

1. ATTEND Sunday Mass with the entire FAMILY EVERY Sunday.

2. ATTEND Holy Days of Obligation with the entire FAMILY

3. After Mass, DISCUSS as FAMILY the Homily, Readings, Music, Prayers, and any aspect / experience of the Mass by Family members.

4. After the discussion, WRITE in the Sunday Mass Reflection Journal (a) TIME attended for Sunday Mass and Mass for Holy Days of Obligation and (b) GOSPEL BIBLE VERSE and (c) SUMMARY of the discussion and or experiences of NEW or INTERESTING things during Mass and or QUESTIONS generated from the family discussion or the experience during Mass. TAKE TURNS as the writer; little ones can get help from elders.

5. SUBMIT the Reflection Journal at the next month's Family Catechesis for review by the Faith Formation Office. 

WORD

Family Catechesis is monthly in person Catechesis (or Teaching) at OLL Church for Parents AND Teens AND Children

and

Family Activities to be completed at home as family

This component demonstrates how the family learns about their Roman Catholic Christian faith and what they need to complete their monthly family activities. Jesus said…, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” John 14:6-7 

1. Each family - parents AND teens AND children - shall participate in a Family Catechesis scheduled for an in person meeting once a month.

Catechesis or Teaching about the topic of the month

Small Group Activity for Teens

Small Group Activity for Children

Instruction for Parents about the activities to be completed at home as a family

2. Children Grades 2-5, Teens Grades 6-8, Teens Grades 9-12 shall participate in a Children and Youth Catechesis as scheduled for an in person meeting once a month. Parents sign in Children & Teens to attend and sign out to pick up.

Catechesis or Teaching about the topic of the month

Small Group Activity for Teens

Small Group Activity for Children

3. Each Family shall complete the monthly activities as Family during the month at home or at designated venues.

4. Each Family shall submit the completed family activities at the next month's Family Catechesis for review by the Faith Formation Office. 

COMMUNITY

Participation as Family in Parish and or Archdiocesan Events

This component demonstrates how the family participates as a member in the life of the parish and the archdiocese: “The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.” Acts of the Apostles 4:32.

Archdiocesan Events, ex. Our Lady of Kamalen Procession

Parish Events, ex. Our Lady of Lourdes Festal Novena and Mass

Confirmation Retreat required for Confirmation students with Family support and scheduled for Holy Week 

WORKS OF MERCY

Sharing as Family God’s Love and Mercy with Brothers & Sisters in Need

This component demonstrates how the Family lives out God’s command to “Love Your Neighbor As You Love Yourself.”

Each Family shall complete [three (3)] Works of Mercy based on the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy and or 7 Spiritual Works of Mercy.