Family Formation

As Catholics, we believe that parents are called to be “the first and foremost educators of their children” [Gravissimum Educationis, 3]. This is a high and challenging calling, and one that is not meant to be undertaken alone. As a church community, we strive to support the family, and to empower, encourage, and equip parents as they seek to form their children in the truths of the faith. The Family Formation model is designed to do exactly this! As stated on the Family Formation website, “this model provides parents with the tools they need to share the Good News and the beauty of the Catholic Faith with their children and to form them into true disciples of Jesus Christ.” Three Sundays a month, parents and children will gather together with others who are journeying along the same path to participate in formation, share stories of experiences, ask questions, and pray together.  Each month, families are provided with rich lessons and materials to grow together in faith at home.  Visit the Family Formation website to learn more and to view parent testimonials and sample lessons.   

Better Engage and Serve Families: As a parish, we value multi-generational faith formation. This includes people from every walk of life, but one area of focus is the family. Research has shown that when programs for children only involve the children and the parents are unengaged, children tend to drift away from the faith as they grow older. We believe that the formation model we’re adopting will better engage and empower parents and – in doing so – better serve our children.  

Shaping the Family Atmosphere and Home Environment: Through family formation lessons, at-home packets and material, we are equipping the family to create a happy and holy environment for your family to grow in love and faith together.  As a Church, we believe that family is the domestic church, the first place where children learn about who God is and His love for us.  God's love is shown through simplicity, practicality, and daily witness, building up the Body of Christ.  

Awakening Faith: Through celebration of the liturigical life of the church, events, festivities etc., Family Formation helps deepen an understanding of the richness of our faith.  These community gatherings are designed for both parents and children to engage in mutual and authenitic dialogue, prayer, formation, and reflection of love of God as the Father as Creator, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Raising Tiny Saints: It is the role of the parish and pastoral staff to help parents live out their calling as first and primary formators of their children, by giving witness to the Christian life.

On the first and second Sundays of each month, families will gather together from 9:30 - 11:15 a.m. for formation on a monthly topic. To start, families will share refreshments, a table activity, and pray together.  Then, parents and children will participate in breakout sessions. Parents will hear from a speaker about the topic in preparation to guide their children through the material at home over the next few weeks. Children will divide into three sub-groups, PreK- 1 | 2-3 | 4-6, to take a deeper look at some of the material they have learned at home.

On the third Sunday of each month, we will participate in an act of kindness or service project together as a community.  These Sundays will be called Mercy Sundays.  In addition to a project, which will benefit a local community partner,  we will hear from a ministry in our Peace, Justice, and Human Concerns commission as part of our own growing experience in works of mercy.  

Each month, families will also pick up a packet with all of the lessons and materials you need for faith development at home.  The fourth Sunday of each month is not a "day off" from Faith Development, rather a "day on" as a family in formation.  This is the perfect time to dive deeper into different lessons.

Note that Family Formation times are perfectly aligned with our 8:30 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. Sunday Liturgies.  We strive not to have "Mass and Class" compete, but to compliment each other (a fullness in the life of the Church).  As a family, plan to attend Liturgy either before formation, or immediately following.  Be present with the presence of Christ in the Word, the Eucharist, the priest, and the people in Liturgy. 

We, as a parish community, are committed to reducing the spread of COVID-19.  The following guidelines will be observed during onsite Faith Development formation sessions and events: 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (3/4 year olds) & Family Formation (Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade families) 

Because our littlest friends under the age of 11 are NOT eligible for the COVID vaccine, all participants will be required to wear a self-provided mask while participating in faith development (even as a vaccinated adult).  Hand sanitizer will be provided in multiple locations upon entering the building, and everyone will be encouraged to utilize sanitizer or wash their hands frequently during formation.  Please be self-aware of symptoms, and NOT attend onsite events should you present with any symptoms. *remember, if you are not well enough to attend school that day/week, you should not attend in-person Faith Formation gatherings.  

Event and Facilities Management: 

• Meals or Snacks offered during formation events will be pre-packaged and disposable plasticware will be provided 

• All areas utilized, including tables, chairs, pews, door handles, restrooms etc., will be sanitized with approved solutions before and after sessions 

• Personnel will retain an attendance record for each session

Supply Management: 

• For one-time use supplies (construction paper, worksheets etc.), these items will be handled by staff or catechists and given to child/adults when appropriate.  Children and parents will be encouraged to take home all paper resources after their session.  Others not used during the session will be recycled. 

• For art supplies (glue, crayons, markers, tape), and writing utensils (pens, pencils), family kits will be created and placed on tables prior to family's arrival.  These kits will be stored at church for use every month.

This is awesome!  The Faith Development Office will be periodically updating a “playlist” on the Faith Development page on the parish website with resources to dive deeper.  These resources include articles to read, videos to watch, activities to complete, and questions for meaningful conversation.  Additionally, Holy Infant has a subscription to Formed.org with thousands of resources on hundreds of topics.  You can register HERE for FREE. Click on “I belong to a parish or organization” to begin.  

Yes! We are actively encouraging older siblings to participate in the monthly community group formation sessions and to serve as assistant catechists in the children’s sessions. Our youth have incredible gifts to share with everyone, especially, the younger children in our community, and we delight in empowering them to use these gifts in faith formation.  

First Reconciliation/Eucharist:  

The Family Formation curriculum, through both at-home and community group lessons, provides a rich framework for Sacrament preparation. We will periodically host Sacrament preparation specific meetings for families with children in Sacrament preparation in addition to the dialogue and growth together with other families in formation who may have recently made the same journey.  

In addition to the lessons for all families, families with children in the immediate year of preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist will receive materials tailored to their particular journey.  Sacrament prep families will also participate in First Reconciliation and First Eucharist retreats where they will be able to spend time with other families at the same point in their faith journey and practice celebrating the Sacraments together.  

To learn more, please visit our pages on First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist.