K-6th grade: Every other week from September-May.
A blended model in which parents and children work together. The online work is about engaging with information while the monthly gathered sessions puts learning into practice in an informal and fun way. Service to the community and parish are a key component.
9th-12th grade: Weekly from September-May.
The group is fun and engaging with plenty of food and games but learning about our faith is our reason for gathering. We cover a lot of different topics that relate to our faith and how we are called to live out our lives each day.
Begins in October and we celebrate First Reconciliation mid December. Preparation for First Reconciliation is solely about preparing the children to celebrate the sacrament of Penace/Confession, and is separate from Religious Education. Diocesan guidelines state that children must be enrolled and participating in a religious education program for one year prior to celebrating the sacrament.
First Reconciliation preparation is unique in our parish in that children work in both an online space and in gathered sessions. The online component is utilized to deliver the information (definitions, concepts, ideas etc). The gathered sessions are utilized as a way of taking what is learned online and putting that information into practice. Gathered sessions incorporate active learning as a way of incorporating the heart response to our faith and the sacrament. The design of the preparation sessions is learner centered and intended to meet the unique needs of the youth who participate. Please contact Rich Rasmussen, Director of Multi-Parish Faith Formation, for more information.
March-May: Preparation for First Eucharist is solely about preparing the children to celebrate the sacrament of Communion, and is separate from Religious Education. Diocesan guidelines state that children must be enrolled and participating in a religious education program for one year prior to celebrating the sacrament.
First Eucharist Preparation is unique in our parish in that children work in both an online space and in gathered sessions. The online component is utilized to deliver the information (definitions, concepts, ideas etc). The gathered sessions are utilized as a way of taking what is learned online and putting that information into practice. Gathered sessions incorporate active learning as a way of incorporating the heart response to our faith and the sacrament. The design of the preparation sessions is learner centered and intended to meet the unique needs of the youth who participate. The celebration of this sacrament typically takes place in May of each year. Please contact Rich Rasmussen, Director of Multi-Parish Faith Formation, for more information.
No sooner than 8th grade: Confirmation is a reaffirmation of our Baptismal vows, where the candidate reaffirms and makes their own personal profession of their Baptismal promises.
Confirmation in the Diocese of Rochester is a two year process beginning no sooner than eighth grade. We utilize the Middle School and High School Youth Group session as the preparation sessions for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This makes the process a more natural part of youth programming and the time commitment on the part of families easier to navigate. So, young people wishing to celebrate the sacrament must be enrolled in the Middle School and/or High School Youth Group, which generally meets on a weekly basis throughout the school year. The registration process begins in mid-August. Please contact Rich Rasmussen, Director of Multi-Parish Faith Formation, for more information.