FAITH FORMATION

 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM  Preschool-12th Grade|

(September – May)

MISSION:

The All Saints Catholic Church’s Religious Education Program’s mission is to teach our students about Jesus Christ’s ministry in a manner that will excite them about His teachings as they begin their spiritual journey. Our goal is to build a foundation of faith in partnership with their families from which they will continue to grow in knowledge of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the traditions of the Universal Catholic Church. 

OBJECTIVES:

•          To provide facts and data to guide the children in a deeper personal understanding of our beliefs as Catholic Christians about Jesus’ message of love through the Holy Scripture, traditions and the history of the Catholic Church.

•          To assist the students and their family in their spiritual development by providing a variety of communal prayer and worship experiences that will involve them in the sacramental life of the Church.

•          To involve the children and their families in the Generation of Faith Festivals.

•          To provide curriculum that will assist the children in exploring the teachings in the Holy Scriptures and how it affects their daily lives.

•          To develop a partnership with the students' family members to make them will feel comfortable in sharing their time, talents, gifts and faith with the parish.

Youth Ministry:

Our Youth Ministry strives to respond to the personal and spiritual needs of our adolescents. Sharing in the mission work of the Church by walking in faith, sharing their faith, teaching the Good News and building community with their families. We endorse the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops' proposal for Youth Ministry.

 “Renewing the Vision”  United States Catholic Conference of Bishops

"Over the past two decades, the Church in the United States has been greatly enriched by the renewal of ministry with adolescents. In September 1976, the Department of Education of the United States Catholic Conference issued a new vision for ministry with young people that blended the best of past efforts with emerging ideas from leaders across the country. A Vision of Youth Ministry articulated the philosophy, goals, principles, and components of a new direction in the Church’s ministry with adolescents. This vision was expressed as: “Youth Ministry is the response of the Christian
community to the needs of young people, and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community” (p. 6). This pattern of responding to the needs of young people and involving young people -- with their gifts and energy -- in the life of the community guided the dynamic approach to ministry presented in A Vision of Youth Ministry. " 

Sacramental Preparation Program:

Sacramental preparation for children starting in second grade (First Communion) and eleventh grade (Confirmation) is now part of the Religious Education Program that meets every Sunday between our 8:00 am and 10:30 am Mass in the Ministry Center.  Please contact us for information regarding the First Communion spring and fall schedule and for Confirmation classes.

It is important that our children and youth have ongoing faith formation to assist them in building their relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. It is also important for them to learn about the traditions of the Universal Catholic Church.

Like adults, children face societal issues that challenge them each day. At All Saints Parish, our vision is to provide them with information that will build their faith foundation and actively engage them in the development of their spiritual journey.

The First Communion preparation begins with a four week course about the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the last four weeks will prepare them for Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion).  It is important that parents make a commitment to bring their children to these classes and Religious Education classes as well.

Rite of Christian Initiation Program—Adults & Children:

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults/Children (RCIA/RCIC) is a communal process of spiritual and educational formation for those who seek to become full members of the Roman Catholic Church through their conversion of mind and heart.  If any of the following statements apply to you or your children, please join us:

       You have not been baptized or you were baptized in another Christian tradition.

       You were baptized but have not received one or both of the Sacraments of
       Eucharist or Confirmation.

       You are Catholic and would like to enhance your knowledge about the
       Universal Catholic Church's traditions and history.

Contact Cecilia Smith-Robertson, Director of Faith Formation, for further information.
414-444-5610 x104.