2023-2024 Faith Formation Program for Grades K-8

The driving force of our Faith Formation Program is the belief that our faith is a gift to be celebrated, nurtured, and lived. We are taught early in life that God, above all things, is love, and His love is perfect and unconditional. We believe learning about God should be a positive experience of sharing His love and treating our faith as the sacred gift that it is.
We also recognize that the celebration of the Eucharist at Sunday mass is the Source and Summit of our spiritual life as Catholics. Through scripture readings, homily, reflection, music and prayer we learn more about God and our role in the Church, community and the world. Therefore, family mass attendance is a foundational component of our program along with classroom instruction and faith experiences to further enrich our students’ faith formation.
Our goal is to have all of our Faith Formation families participating in mass regularly and being active members of our parish family. Parents are the primary religious educators of their children and we respect that role. We can give meaning to the rituals and symbols of our Church, but only you can give meaning to their faith in how you live and worship every day. We are confident that by working and worshiping together, we can effectively guide our children as they grow, learn, and face the future believing, loving, and living the gift of faith.
Our parish staff is privileged and honored to be a part of your family’s faith journey. Please know that we are here for you and that we are available to discuss your questions, problems or any concerns that you might have.

Mass, Class, and Family Faith Formation
Students are required to attend mass (with at least one parent – ideally with their family) on the weeks that our program meets. Our class times have been designed to make it easy to attend the 7:30, 9:30 or 11:30 masses on Sunday mornings; but families are free to attend the 5pm mass on Saturday or Sunday. Sign-in sheets will be posted in the narthex all weekend.
Grades 1-6
Families can choose between two classroom sessions on Sunday mornings:
Session I:  8:30am-9:15am.
Session II: 10:30am-11:15am.
In addition, we will have 6 Family Faith Formation Meetings during the year. These monthly Family Faith Formation Gatherings will take place in the parish center on weeks when class is not scheduled. We will have two sessions on Sunday mornings and an alternate session on Tuesday evening. Children are required to attend these sessions with at least one parent. 

Home Study
A Home Study program is available for students in grades 3-6 who are unable to participate in the Sunday morning sessions. The Home Study program will be guided by regular emails and online lesson assignments. Home Study students must attend mass and Family Faith Formation Meetings. Home Study is not available for students in grades 1 or 2.

Kindergarten
A kindergarten class will be offered during Session II (10:30-11:15) provided there is sufficient enrollment and a volunteer to teach.

Grades 7 and 8 
Students in grades 7 and 8 will meet on alternating Sunday evenings, beginning with 5pm mass and continuing in the parish center for their lesson, with dismissal at 7pm.

Sacramental Program
Children preparing to celebrate the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist must 1) be baptized and 2) have successfully completed first grade religious education classes in either a parish or Catholic school. If your child completed first grade in a parish other than St. Patrick, you must obtain a letter from the other parish indicating the successful completion of first grade.
Students eligible to receive First Reconciliation and First Eucharist must register in our Sacramental Program in addition to registering for the Grade 2 program. Children attending Catholic schools only need to register for the Sacramental Program. At the time of registration, families will select their child’s First Communion date and time. Students in our Sacramental Program participate in two retreats, one in the fall and one in the spring. Participation in parent meetings and students’ rehearsals is also required to receive the sacraments. 

Volunteer Opportunities
The success of our program is due to the many dedicated volunteer catechists, co-catechists, classroom monitors, and safety monitors consisting of parents, caring adults, and teens.  In order to run the program safely and efficiently, many volunteers are needed. We ask that you consider volunteering for any of the following positions:
Catechist
Catechists lead the children through the 45 minute lessons. No specific skills are required. We provide tools and resources, including catechist guides with lesson plans, teaching schedules with specific topics for each class, coloring pages, games and craft supplies are also provided.
Classroom Assistant
Classroom assistants help with planned activities and crafts during class time, but do not prepare lessons or teach.
Safety Monitor
Safety monitors help to maintain a safe environment working as a liaison between the catechists, parents and students. No advance preparation or training is needed.
Hospitality Committee
Members of our Hospitality Committee organize and arrange refreshments and coffee for parents during class time and for families during Family Faith Formation Meetings.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR 2023-2024 FAITH FORMATION