The Importance of Faith Formation

The education of children in the Catholic faith is of crucial importance.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that parents have the primary responsibility for educating their children in the Catholic faith: not schools or parishes, but parents.  It is they who must first take the initiative to begin forming their children in the moral and doctrinal teachings of the Church so that their children may grow to become virtuous and holy men and women. 

Although parents are the primary educators of their children, they are not left without help.  It is the role of the parish to aid and support families in the task of educating their children.  We have classes, events, and programs for all ages.  For example, during the 9:30 and 11:00 o’clock Masses our children ages 6 through 12 are invited to go hear and discuss the Sacred Scriptures at their level.   

In June we have our Summer Faith Formation sessions with children attending either in the mornings or the evenings these first three weeks of the month.  The program is repeated in the Fall on Wednesday evenings for those who cannot make the Summer sessions.  We have great classes for our children who are preparing for their First Reconciliation and their First Holy Communion.  There is also the opportunity to teach your children at home with the F.I.R.E. program or through home-study

Our teens are involved in programs to equip them to become Disciples of Christ and seek their Confirmation.  Whole families are taking part in our Intergenerational programs and children look forward to our annual Camp JB Vacation Bible School.

The church is here to help parents help their children to grow and mature in wisdom and stature before God and men.

Parents, encourage and support your children to know their faith and love it.  Jesus Christ isn't an abstract idea.  He is truly risen from the dead and is with us here and now.  Show your children through word and personal example that Jesus Christ is truly the Lord and Savior of your lives, giving him a place over everything else. 

But faith formation isn’t just for children; it is for all of us, no matter our age.  The CCD or religious education classes we took as children taught us at a child’s level of understanding.  As adults we’re called to continue to be formed in our Catholic faith and the parish offers us many programs in which we may participate.  We just have to take advantage of the offerings.