Grades 1 - 8 

What Happens at a Family Faith Session?
Families with children in grades 1 - 8 participate together once a month on Tuesdays or Thursdays. The first two sessions of the month (Session A on Tuesday and Session D on Thursday) run from 4:30 to 6:00pm, and the last four sessions of the month (Session B, C, E and F) are from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

Each session begins with the family together in the church, where there is a 30 minute introduction and faith sharing. Then, children in grades 4-8 go into their own classrooms while their parents go into an Adult Education classroom. During this time, parents learn about what the children are doing in their classes, as well as deepen their own understanding of the Catholic faith. 

Children in grades 1-3 remain with their parents in the church. Together, these parents and their children travel through centers with other families with children in grades 1-3. 

All families regather back in the church about 10 minutes before the end of the session, for a closing prayer and announcements. Nursery is available on all Tuesday sessions and the first Thursday session of each month. 
 

2017-2018 Schedule

Monthly on Tuesdays
Session A:(4:30-6:00PM) 9/5, 10/3, 11/7, 1/9, 2/6, 4/3, 5/8
Session B:(6:00-7:30PM)  9/12, 10/10, 11/14, 1/16, 2/13, 4/10, 5/8
Session C:(6:00-7:30PM) 9/19, 10/17, 11/28, 1/23, 2/20, 4/17, 5/8

Monthly on Thursdays
Session D:(4:30 - 6:00PM)  9/7, 10/5, 11/9, 1/11, 2/8, 4/4, 5/10
Session E: (6:00 - 7:30PM) 9/14, 10/12, 11/16, 1/18, 2/15, 4/12, 5/10
Session F: (6:00 - 7:30pm) 9/21, 10/19, 11/30, 11/25, 2/22, 4/19, 5/10

Go HERE to watch videos that correspond to each chapter of the textbook. Scroll down to find your grade.

Who is it for? How does it work?

• Family Faith is for families with children in grades 1-8. 
• Families accompany their children to one monthly session where the unit topic is presented. (The same presentation is given 6 times a month.)
• At home, families then work through the student text book and submit the chapter reviews either online or the paper Review sheet from the textbook.
• The parent pages provided in the family binder give parents a summary and  review of the teachings of the Church on each unit topic.

What about the Sacraments?

• Children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (2nd grade and up) will participate in the Family Faith Program. 
• The Parish Sacrament Preparation Program is a two year program. 
• In the first year of preparation, children learn the basics of our faith and experience our faith practices (prayers, rituals, service...) within the community. 
• In the second year, the family particpates in sacrament workshops and receives sacrament specific learning materials to work on together at home. First Reconciliation is celebrated in January and First Communion is celebrated in late April or early May of this second year.
• Children must be 7 years old by September 1 or older to participate in the First Reconciliation and First Communion classes and receive those sacraments. They need to attend faith formation classes here at St. Catherine of Siena for at least one year (first grade or higher) before they may participate in the First Reconciliation and First Communion class. If your child completed a year of Faith Formation at another parish, we will need a letter of verification from the other parish.
• What are the benefits of Family Faith Formation?

1. Involves the whole family in congregational life and learning.
2. Encourages faith practices and discussions in the home.
3. Eases the transfer of learning to the home because the whole family experiences the learning and practices together.
4. Provides resources, support, and encouragement to help parents share their faith and values.