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The primary mission of the Church is to proclaim and witness the Gospel to all people; forming them in the faith. Following this command, the Faith Formation Program has structured faith formation sessions and activities to formally catechize children and youth about the teachings of the Church, the scriptures and ways of living a moral life. The Church however, does not take on this mission alone.
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"It is in partnership with parents that the parish embraces
its call to catechize children and youth. ”
“Parents are the first and foremost catechist of their children. They catechize informally but powerfully by example and instructions. They communicate values and attitudes by showing love for Christ and his Church and for each other, by reverently receiving the weekly Eucharist and living in its spirit, by fostering justice and love in all their relationships. Their active involvement in the parish, their readiness to seek opportunities to serve others and their practice of frequent prayer, all make meaningful their profession of belief. Parents nurture faith in their children by showing them the richness and beauty of lived faith.” (Sharing the Light of Faith--National Catechetical Directory for the United States)
CCC:
USCCA:
We expect parents to support the goals and objectives of each catechetical process by ensuring their children maintain an excellent attendance record, participate in class and program activities, act in a Christian manner towards others and complete all home assignments.
The pastor has the responsibility for the Faith Formation program and has entrusted the leadership of the program to the director of Faith Formation and the Catechetical Team. It is at their discretion that determination is made as to the completion of process requirements.
The catechists are delegated with the responsibility to ensure all students are properly catechized in the faith and prepared for sacraments.
The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) points out that formal faith formation continues after receiving Confirmation and First Communion. In fact, faith formation is a life long journey. To this end, the Faith Formation program has programs for children from grade 1 through grade 6 and continuing in a Youth Ministry. In addition, the Faith Formation program has the task of assisting parents in their spiritual formation by incorporating parent meeting and formation opportunities within its programming.
Our Lady of the Valley and St Raphael expect children and parents to participate in its Faith Formation programs and activities from 1st grade through 6th grade.
Our program is staffed with women and men who volunteer their time and talent to share their faith with the children. In addition to their classroom duties, these individuals dedicate time to training, meetings and participating in the diocesan catechist formation courses.
Parents are expected to support the catechists through prayer and making sure their child comes to class prepared.
CCC:
- 2252 Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children in the faith, prayer, and all the virtues.
USCCA:
- Section 28 “The Christian family forms an environment within which the faith is professed and witnessed. When family members pray together, engage in lifelong learning, forgive one another, serve each other, welcome others, affirm and celebrate life, and bring justice and mercy to the community, they help each other life the faith and grow in faith.”
- It is only in partnership with parents that we can most fully pass on the treasures of our faith to the children in our parish.
We expect parents to support the goals and objectives of each catechetical process by ensuring their children maintain an excellent attendance record, participate in class and program activities, act in a Christian manner towards others and complete all home assignments.
The pastor has the responsibility for the Faith Formation program and has entrusted the leadership of the program to the director of Faith Formation and the Catechetical Team. It is at their discretion that determination is made as to the completion of process requirements.
The catechists are delegated with the responsibility to ensure all students are properly catechized in the faith and prepared for sacraments.
The United States Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA) points out that formal faith formation continues after receiving Confirmation and First Communion. In fact, faith formation is a life long journey. To this end, the Faith Formation program has programs for children from grade 1 through grade 6 and continuing in a Youth Ministry. In addition, the Faith Formation program has the task of assisting parents in their spiritual formation by incorporating parent meeting and formation opportunities within its programming.
Our Lady of the Valley and St Raphael expect children and parents to participate in its Faith Formation programs and activities from 1st grade through 6th grade.
Our program is staffed with women and men who volunteer their time and talent to share their faith with the children. In addition to their classroom duties, these individuals dedicate time to training, meetings and participating in the diocesan catechist formation courses.
Parents are expected to support the catechists through prayer and making sure their child comes to class prepared.
EXPECTATIONS FOR PARENTS / GUARDIANS
The most important task of the catechesis of children is to provide, through the witness of adults, an environment in which young people can grow in faith. (National Directory for Catechesis, no. 205)
- Witness and teach the faith to their children as primary educators.
- Maintain their homes as “domestic” churches wherein relationship with God is evident and participation in parish life is promoted. Esteem their children, seeing in each the face of Christ.
- Witness their own relationship with God in their love for their children as the outcome of God’s love.
- Be actively involved in the life of the Church through participation in Sunday liturgies, the sacramental life of the Church, the community life of the parish and stewardship.
- Help their children to respond to the vocation God calls them to in the life of the Church and society.
- Be socially aware promoting the dignity of human life and nonviolence in the home and in the culture.
- Educate their children in the sanctity of human life and sexuality.
- Collaborate with catechists and teachers by promoting and assessing the development of faith in their children.
- Prepare their children for their participation in the sacraments.
- Attend to their own spiritual lives through reflection, prayer and reading of Scriptures.
EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS
- Exhibit their willingness to learn through active participation in the learning environment.
- Collaborate with catechists and peers.
- Show evidence of literacy and proficiency in the catechetical message and its application to daily life.
- Come to know how Jesus Christ is central to their lives.
- Show earnestness in preparation for active participation in the life of the Catholic Church.
- Show evidence of moral decision-making and critical thinking.
- Demonstrate understanding and application of Catholic social teaching to current societal situations.
- Articulate Christian virtues as applied to personal decision-making and behaviors.
- Show understanding that they are loved by God, are created for union with God, and are of inestimable value before the Creator.
- Exhibit spiritual growth through prayer, sacramental participation, maturing understanding of Christian discipleship and stewardship.
- Respect and appreciate the cultural and religious heritage of all people no matter the race, ethnicity or religious identity of the person.
- Exhibit understanding of their relationship with the triune God and their ultimate destiny with their Creator.