Family Faith Formation Process

Catechist Handbook 2020-2021

Catechist Application

 

"As it is the parents who have given life to their children, on them lies the gravest obligation of educating their family. They must, therefore, be recognized as being primarily and principally responsible for their education."
-Vatican II Declaration of Christian Education

Recognizing that parents are the first and best educators of their children in matters of faith, the St. Luke Catholic Church Family Faith Formation process works in partnership with families to form the faith of our young parishioners. Our school-aged Faith Formation programs are meant to strengthen and build upon the faith formation that occurs within families.
 
Family Faith Formation is the religious education program for families with children enrolled in grades Kindergarten through seventh grade. These children typically are enrolled in public schools where no religious education is offered.

What does the Family Faith Formation Process consist of?

• Online religious education classes using Christ in Us and/or My Catholic Faith Delivered
• In-person meetings with children once a month for supplemental faith activities and to ensure that children remain on track with their online lessons
• In-person classroom sessions will happen once a month on Sunday mornings from 9:40 am - 10:45 am 
• Monthly Family Faith Sessions on Wednesday evenings. 
• Weekly Mass Attendance
• Church Service Activities
• Participation in Sacraments

Why Family Faith Formation?
Studies show that parents are the MOST IMPORTANT element in a child’s faith-life. This is why the Church asks parents, at their child’s Baptism, to accept the responsibility of forming their child in the practice of the faith. This program is designed to give you the tools and confidence to live that promise!

Is it hard to get to class every week? This program gives YOU the flexibility you need to deepen your family’s faith formation together at a time most convenient for YOU.
Family formation is not just a program, but also a way of life. It provides parents with the tools needed not only to teach their faith but to live it.

During this time when the world is working together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, St. Luke Catholic Church is committed to the safety and well-being of children and their families. To best serve the pandemic concerns of our parents, we have decided to begin our 2020/2021 Family Faith Formation program year with a 100% online/virtual model. At this time, this online option is only for students enrolled in Grades K-7. 

At this time, we anticipate resuming in-person monthly sessions in January 2021. However, we will continue to monitor the situation closely and will adjust the schedules and plans as needed. In order for this model to be successful, we do need full and active participation from each family in their home environment. Parents will be expected to:
 

• Ensure that their child(ren) are completing weekly lessons – Grades K-6 will be using Christ in Us and Grade 7 will use My Catholic Faith Delivered.
• Student lessons and activities should be with the best effort possible and work submitted to the Family Faith Formation office should reflect this.
• Families will have one monthly family activity to complete each month.  Activity expectations will be communicated monthly.

 
We sincerely appreciate your patience during this time and thank you for your commitment to your children’s faith development. As in the past, we look forward to an exciting year of faith development for our students.





Family Faith Formation Process Mission Statement:
We, the Catholic Community of St. Luke Catholic Church, will, by example and word, share the love and mercy of God to form and enrich the faith of all parishioners.  We shall continue the earthly mission of Jesus to seek, inform, lead, and inspire those who are in need of His grace both within and beyond our faith community.  All generations will be encouraged to learn more about their faith, liturgy, and sacraments; to lead a moral life; to pray always and with devotion, and to understand fully the meaning of their lives in Christ.