Faith Formation for Children
Family Formation
The Children’s Family Faith Formation Program invites parents and children to encounter the Father, in Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Partnering with catechists, our desire is to support families to nurture and sustain this encounter through prayer, the study of scripture, formation in our Catholic faith and the experience of Christian community for the whole family. We offer faith formation classes beginning at 3 years of age through the 5th grade, along with preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Registration opens April 15.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
The Catechesis of the Good Sepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an “atrium,” a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials. The program is a tool that nurtures the relationship between your child and Jesus. A calm and quiet environment allows the “whispers of God” to be heard. They experience scripture by working with figures from Bible stories. They will gain insight into the Mass by setting a small altar, preparing the chalice, and practicing gestures. This program prepares children for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. If you are interested in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, please scroll to the bottom of the page for details. Registration for CGS opens to current families on April 10 and to new families on April 20. Space is limited and sessions fill quickly.
Volunteer
The St. Joseph Children’s Faith Formation Program has many opportunities for family participation. Our greatest need is classroom catechists. Our program greatly depends on the efforts of volunteers, we ask that you prayerfully consider handing on the faith and being a witness to the Gospel with the gift of your time. Additional ministry opportunities on back of form.
Pre-K Through 6th grade
Our NEW Family Faith Formation format for Pre-K – 6th grade is a dynamic and innovative approach designed to enrich both the child and parent/guardian in their faith.
Families will gather once a month at St. Joseph. Children will gather by grade, where they will study the month’s topic with a catechist. Parents will gather in the dining hall and be engaged in the month’s topic through talks, discussion, fellowship, and preparing for the family lessons they will do at home.
The remainder of the month they will complete one family lesson a week, which will take about an hour. The lessons are fun and easy to navigate, and they bring the family together in faith.
Click. HERE to preview a family lesson.
You will notice the lesson is designed to make this as easy as possible for the parent! Everything the parent says is scripted, the lesson is described in detail and you will be most of the supplies you need for the lesson activities.
Notice also, that within the lesson, there are sections written for “younger saints” (K – 2nd grade) and “older saints” (3 – 6th grade). Family Formation seeks to be a tool you can use to bring the whole family together in Faith.
Offered in English the first Wednesday and Sunday of the month*:
First Wednesday from 6:15pm – 7:45pm
First Sunday from 10:15am – 11:45am
*Please see the program calendar for months where this is altered due to holidays.
Cost for Family Formation will be the same - $75 per child; maxed at 3 children. This will include all classroom materials for parents and children, at-home lessons, and any enrichment events throughout the year.
SACRAMENT PREPARATION:
Children who will be in their second year of sacrament preparation will have two additional components geared at sacramental preparation specifically:
Their monthly classroom session will focus on sacramental preparation, not the monthly theme.
The child will have extra activities that focus on sacrament preparation. These fun and easy lessons are completed with parent support and should take about an additional 30 minutes a week.
These are children who will receive reconciliation and first communion during the year.
Cost for sacrament preparation is $40 per child making their sacrament this year. This will include all at-home materials, classroom materials, and workshops.
catechesis of the good shepherd
What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?
The Catechesis of the Good Sepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children. It is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an “atrium,” a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials. The program is a tool that nurtures the relationship between your child and Jesus. A calm and quiet environment allows the “whispers of God” to be heard. They experience scripture by working with figures from Bible stories. They will gain insight into the Mass by setting a small altar, preparing the chalice, and practicing gestures.
Who is the catechist?
Individuals who have been called to work with children. They take on a servant leadership role, using facilitation instead of direct instruction techniques. Catechists have undergone extensive training from CGSUSA. The catechist is secondary to the Holy Spirit, who is the child's own inner guide and teacher.
Who can attend the atrium?
Children who are 3-6 years old (they must be 3 by September 1). To attend children must be fully potty-trained and independent in the bathroom.
A few important notes:
-Attendance is important. In order for the child to feel comfortable with the routines and flow of the atrium attendance must be a priority. Enrollment is a commitment to attend weekly sessions.
-Process over product Each child will be doing work in the Atrium and reflecting on God’s Word in his or her own way. There aren’t many “products” of their reflection time to bring home.
-2023-24 Sessions:
Level 1, 3 years old-Kindergarten
Sunday 9:30-11:30 am
Sunday 2:45-4:45 pm
Friday 12-2 pm session is full
Level 2, 1st-3rd Grades (includes sacrament prep)
Sunday 12-2pm session is full
Wednesday 5:30-7:30pm session is full
Level 3, 4th-6th Grades
-Cost: $150 for the year
-Orientation: An orientation will be held before weekly sessions begin. A sign-up will be emailed to registered families.
Sacramental Preparation
Is your child in need of Baptism?
Would you like your child to prepare for First Communion?
Children's Liturgy of the Word
The Celebration of the Word focuses on the Scriptures but is not Bible study. Children in kindergarten through 4th grade leave the church during Sunday Mass to participate in the Liturgy of the Word in a separate room. They prayerful listen to God speak to us through the Scripture readings and reflect on the readings. This is done in language children can understand and uses reflections that pertain to children rather than adults. Singing of the Psalms and biblical chants will be sung between readings as well as an acclamation before the reading of the Gospel.
This program is currently paused, but we are looking to resume once we have volunteers. If you are interested in leading Children’s Liturgy of the Word, please contact Cindy Pupo.
Vacation Bible Experience
VBX is a one week summer program offered for children ages 4 through the 5th grade. Traditionally held the 2nd week in June.
Adult and youth volunteers staff this program.
Please check bulletin for registration dates or call the office at (972)231-2951.
Children's Choir
Under the direction of Carol Savedra, the Children’s Choir welcomes children in grades 3-6. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays, 5:00-5:45pm before Faith Formation classes. See Music Ministry for additional info.
Catechists
We are in need of catechists to teach our preschool through 5th grade students during Family Formation or 3-9 year olds during Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Individuals may serve as a catechist or aide.
If you feel called to this ministry, but have questions, please contact us at (972) 690-5588. We welcome the opportunity to visit with you about serving your parish community as a volunteer in the ministry of faith formation.
Contact Us
Sefanit Stefanos
Director
(972)690-5588
Cindy Pupo
Administrative Associate
(972)690-5588
Christy Quintanilla
Pre-School Coordinator
(972)690-5588