Faith Formation

Schedule

Catechists:

Grades 1/2 – Mrs. Gina Jones, Ms. Amanda Jones
Grades 3/4 – Mrs. Carol Ifkovic
Grades 5/6 – Mrs. Joan Conceison Ouellette
Grades 7/8 – Mrs. Debbie Gullitti

General Information

If you have questions regarding any of the classes, including the Confirmation program, please contact Susan Ferraiolo in the Faith Formation office.

Faith Formation - Grades 1-8

After several class cancelations this winter due to snow, all grades have now caught up and the faith formation program year has come to a close for children in grades 1- 8 on May 2nd and 3rd. There were eighteen families registered with a total of 24 children enrolled in the program.

Faith Formation Family Programs

This year, the Faith Formation Office provided 2 intergenerational programs for our families. The theme of the first event, which took place in November was "Advent - Waiting for the Messiah". Our second program was held in March and was titled, "Lent - Our Journey with Jesus". These interactive programs provided the children and their parents with a comprehensive, hands on approach to understanding and celebrating these two important church seasons. More programs will be scheduled for next year.

First Communion Preparation

Beginning this year, first Communion preparations have been moved from second grade to third grade. Due to this change, this year will act as an interim year. Therefore, there will be no First Communion this Spring (2011). First Communion preparations will resume in the fall for our third grade students.

Confirmation Preparation

The sacrament of Confrimation was conferred upon two of our high school students at St. Mary Church in Middletown by Bishop Michael Cote on Thursday evening, May 19th.

Catechists Needed

We are in need of catechists to teach in our elementary and middle school programs. Won't you please consider sharing your faith with the children of our parish? Training and team teaching opportunities are available. Please contact Sue Ferraiolo in the Faith Formation Office for more information.

Who Is Responsible?

Although parents are the primary catechists of their children, the Church also has rights and obligations regarding her baptized. Each Catholic child is not only part of a Catholic family but also of a Catholic community, and this community shares in the responsibility of catechizing each child. This is the mission of the Catholic schools and religious education programs. The child who has been catechized by his or her parents from infancy now received catechesis from others with the Catholic community. This role of the Church community does not diminish the responsibility of the parents. On the contrary, parents continue in their role as primary catechists as they continue to initiate learning and as they reinforce and enrich what their children are learning in their formal religious education. Indeed, the role of the parent remains absolutely essential in daily guiding and developing the prayer life and sacramental life of the young person.

"Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child's earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2226).