FAITH FORMATION:

You and your child are embarking on the continuation of their faith journey in this life. There are many things which may be done to help growth in the faith. Learning is one part. But the Catholic faith is more than book learning and memorization. Although these are important because this is where a person begins to form an understanding about the faith.  The most important aspect is to empress upon your child that God calls everyone and there must be a response to come and know Him and not simply about Him. So, Faith Formation is important because it stress an encounter with Christ. It probably will appear as normal as day-to-day instruction, but this is where a person begins to encounter Christ. It seemed the same way when Jesus' Apostles first started out and Jesus was teaching them.

FAITH FORMATION:

The purpose of a Faith Formation for the sacraments is to allow a person to be ready for a very sacred moment with God. The Sacraments should never be considered as a rite of passage in life nor as in the case of Holy Communion a one-time event to be experienced and then forgotten. Faith formation includes readiness, involving the learning of the faith of which must be practiced. It involves an extended period. Attending one (1) class a week and going to Holy Mass is not enough for good faith formation. The greater amount of time spent in formation is done with the family and in the home.

The purpose of the Ministry of Catechesis is to assist the parents of children and youth with directions and resources for the process of faith formation. Particularly in the area of sacrament preparation. The catechist as a volunteer servant, endeavors to provide some details in the areas of the faith which will to allow that person to become disciples of Christ. The catechist provides direction and resources, but it is the parents who must afford the time to assist the child or youth in the practice of faith in their daily life and reinforce what is being taught.

The proper living of any Christian parent is to be involved in their children’s life during their growing years. This is especially true for involvement concerning the One True Faith given to us by Our Lord Jesus Christ and their overall education.

The parents are the primary educators of their children.[1] The church has declared this as a right for the parents and a continuation of their sacred matrimonial vows. Scripture is also very clear on this as well. The principal factor is utilization of time. Sacramental preparation done during the week allows for only 1 hour of instruction. Whereas in a typical household, aside from sleeping and school, that leaves about approximately 62 hours for other things in a given week. The utilization and management of this balance of time is given to the parents/guardian.  It becomes their God given right to spend some of this time to reinforce what was taught during catechism and to see that their child has learned.

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[1] Familiarous Consortio

Depending in what year program the child is in, the parents are obligated at home to make sure the child practices and knows the following:

Sign of the Cross,

Lord’s Prayer,

Glory Be,

Hail Mary,

Penitential Act. (Part of the Mass)

7 Sacraments.

Ten Commandments

Apostles Creed   or    Nicene Creed

Act of Contrition

Prayers of the Mass

Grace Before Meals

The prayers are in the children’s books. Your Catechist and Religious Education Team leaders can provide links to online resources for this.

In the Month of January, an initial evaluation will be given to each student. 

The Children will be EVALUATED on:

1. Mass Attendance
(What happens in mass and its order.)

2. Children’s Classes (What they learned in class. )

3. Christian Values

4. Knowledge of their Faith 

5. Prayers

The prayers your child needs to know for 2nd year students:

Sign of the Cross,

Lord’s Prayer.(The Our Father)

Glory Be.

Hail Mary

Penitential Act. (Part of the Mass)

Apostles Creed   or    Nicene Creed

Act of Contrition

Prayers of the Mass

Grace Before Meals

 As well as:

7 Sacraments.

Ten Commandments.

Those in formation for the sacrament of Confirmation will be tested on the same and particulars involving the sacrament of confirmastion as well.

"Formation" begins with a commitment to know the Catholic faith, grow in this faith  and most importantly have a relationship with Jesus Christ as this growth occurs. Formation should never be viewed as a mere learning a few things about the Catholic faith. Formation is the immersion into the Christian-lifestyle.  Formation is more than knowing about God, it is getting to know God.

It is the responsibility of the parents to work with the Catechist as a cohesive unit to prepare their child for the sacraments. Equally important is the objective for the student to form an essential understanding of discipleship as mandated by Jesus Christ. The outcome of formation provides preparation to begin a life of evangelization and participate not only in the sacraments but the mission of the church as well.

The parents assisting their child at home to learn prayers, attend mass, and lesson items joined together with the catechetical team and church resources, will ensure a meaningful faith formation.