Children’s Faith Formation

The Children’s Faith Formation program for children 3years old through 8th grade has the following mission, goals and objectives:

Mission: To ensure that our children will a) develop a deepening realization of God’s love for them: b) experience the mystery of God’s presence in prayer, ritual and sacrament: and c) integrate the principles of Catholic Social teaching into their lives.

Goals: Our children will a) value prayer and sacramental celebrations as resources for a faithful life: b) understand and appreciate the riches of the Catholic tradition; c) develop an understanding of and reverence for the Scriptures; d) learn to respect themselves, others and all of creation as gifts of God; 3: reflect gospel values in their actions and words; f) practice service to others.

Objectives: The program will provide a) A curriculum based on the Sunday lectionary; b) Weekly faith formation sessions during the school year; c) Opportunities for children to be involved in parish life; d) Community-building and spiritually-enriching activities for families; e) Protection and safety of children during session; f) Opportunities for participation in the Sunday liturgy; g) Service projects/opportunities for children; h) Support for parents in developing the faith of their children through family faith conversations, family ritual and family outreach; i) Support and training for the volunteer catechists; j) Communication with parents.

The weekly Faith Formation sessions, which are lead by volunteer catechists, begin in fall and run through the first Sunday in May. For children in preschool and Kindergarten, the sessions are held from 9:30 am to 10:30am. For children in the 1st through 8th grade, the sessions are held between the Sunday masses, from 9:15am to 10am. The sessions are held in the Roanoke House.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

We offer a Children’s Liturgy of the Word on the 2nd Sunday of the month during the 10am Mass, from October through May. The children are dismissed from the congregation after the opening prayer and gather in the Social Hall to hear the Word proclaimed and broke open in a way that is relevant to them. The children rejoin the congregation at the preparation of the gifts.