Faith Formation Ministry for Children and Youth/Teens
Welcome to the Faith Formation Ministry for Children and Youth/Teens! Our Faith Formation catechetical year begins in September. We encourage you to complete the entire registration as soon as possible, including the tuition payment, to ensure the best selection of class days and times. Please note that our options have been updated to better serve our families and also include parents in the faith formation of their children.
Parent Resources
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Faith Formation for Children (Grades 1-6)
All Resurrection’s Faith Formation Programs are intended to lead the children to prayer and intimacy with Jesus, as well as teach our Catholic traditions and nurture the desire to live out beliefs in acts of service, social justice, and love of neighbor.
The Elementary Faith Formation Program seeks to be a balanced combination of formation in faith and spiritual life through experiences of prayer, service, and friendship; and schooling in the Catholic teachings through Lectionary- (Sunday Scripture) based instruction. Faith Formation Sessions for children grades 1-6 generally are scheduled weekly from mid-September through April.
At the appropriate age level, children prepare for the first reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist. Parents, with training and assistance, are the chief instructors and mentors in this preparation. Celebrations of First Communion take place at regularly scheduled weekend liturgies in May.
Contact: Gina Wiedman, Director of Children’s Faith Formation (630) 289-5400 x215.
Faith Formation for Youth/Teens (Grades 7,8 & 9)
The Faith Formation process is life-long and is aimed at the conversion of the individual. Grades 7 through 9 meet weekly from October to April for catechesis to explore their faith in the context of the Alpha program for our 7th-grade students. Gifted With the Spirit curriculum for our 8th and 9th-grade students, our Faith Formation program introduces young adolescents to Jesus Christ in a new way and inspires them to follow Him and become disciples for/of Jesus Christ, through service, prayer, and the saints.
This program:
- Fosters the faith of young adolescents by helping them to make connections between the Catholic faith and everyday life.
- Helps young people to strengthen their connection to the faith community.
- Helps them recognize that it is the power of the Holy Spirit that has united God’s people in love and that continues to be a transforming presence.
- Uses an active, hands-on approach to Faith Formation.
Alpha for our 7th-grade students aims to strengthen the Catholic identity of junior high (middle school) students and inspires them to participate more fully in the Church’s mission. The Gifted with the Sprit Confirmation Preparation Program has been found to be in conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is envisioned as a two-year process for high school – Grades 8 and 9. With the help of grade-level catechists, parents and Confirmation sponsors – young people are prepared for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our youth will deepen their understanding of the sacramental life of the Church and be encouraged to build an intimate relationship with Christ.
“You are the hope of the Church and of society … I continue to believe in young people, in you.” ~John Paul II, visit Spain, 1982
The youth play an integral role in the Church and her mission because they are the future, as John Paul II said, they are the hope. It is necessary that we acknowledge the fact that the youth are the future of our Church and they must be guided, loved, taught and treated with dignity.
Contact Angela LoMonaco, Director of Youth Faith Formation at (630) 289-5400 x 209 or email alomonaco@rescatholic.org