FAMILY FAITH FORMATION BASIC INFORMATION

What is Family Faith Formation?

Family Faith Formation is a catechetical program designed to help adults pass on the Catholic faith. The program provides support, guidance, resources, and opportunities to associate with other families. The commitment is one family meeting per month and one home lesson per week for the remainder of the month. Parents of K-6 children teach the home lesson to their children each month.

Who is Involved with Family Faith Formation?

The Family Faith Formation program serves all families in the tri-parish community. Adults, K-6 children, youth, catechists, the Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE), and our Priest are involved.

Where Does the Family Faith Formation program meet?

The Family Faith Formation program holds monthly meetings at St. Mary of the Rosary. Various groups meet in the Parish Hall, the Library, the school building, and the church.

When Do Meetings Take Place?

The monthly family meetings generally occur on the first Wednesday of each month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. There are some exceptions, which will be announced.

How Does the Family Faith Formation Program Work?

Catechists teach one lesson per month to children divided into three groups: K-3, 4-6, and Sacramental Preparation. This lesson occurs during the monthly family meeting. Catechists also receive monthly catechetical training. The CRE and Priest, in addition to their administrative duties and instruction of catechists, meet with the adults during the monthly family meetings. In addition, parents of K-6 children receive lessons and resources to teach one lesson each week within their families. Adults without K-6 children benefit from the adult and the home lessons.

What is the Cost of the Family Faith Formation Program?

There is no charge to any individual or family for the Family Faith Formation program. It is free, as it should be. However, there is a cost to the parishes, and donations are essential to the success of the program. There is an active fundraising effort to support the program. We invite you to contribute generously according to your means.

Why Family Faith Formation?

The Church teaches that adult faith formation must be the central task in the catechetical enterprise, the axis around which revolves the catechesis of childhood and adolescence as well as that of old age. This holds especially true for parents, who have the primary right and duty to provide for the education of their children. Common sense tells us that catechesis is wholly ineffective at transmitting the faith if adults do not give witness to an active and fruitful faith life. By evangelizing adults to realize what the Church is asking of them, and giving them help, support, and encouragement in their mission, the Family Faith Formation program is answering the Church’s call.