What is Family Catechesis?
Family Catechesis is a program designed to help children and parents grow together in their faith. It includes monthly in-person instructional sessions as well as fun and faith based community activities for both parents and their children from September to May, and supported learning at home during the rest of the month. See calendar for more details.
Why did you add the Family Catechesis program?
This program accommodates the busy schedules many families face each day by offering one monthly session for the whole family (children AND parents), followed by weekly learn-at-home lessons. It also allows parents to become more deeply involved in their child(ren)’s faith formation, helping parents grow in their faith as well. Parents attend monthly sessions and work on their own schedule at home to complete the learning process.
Will Family Catechesis help prepare my children for their sacraments?
Family Catechesis is an approved parish program. Your children will have full access to our parish sacramental preparation, just like any other program. There will be additional sessions for young people in their sacramental preparation years.
I’m not a trained catechist - how do I help my children with the learn at home component?
The program uses the A Family of Faith program from Sophia Institute. During the monthly session, parents are equipped by parish leaders to share with their child(ren) throughout the month. At the same monthly meeting, children meet with grade-level catechists who introduce the topic for the month to them. Parents and children then work together at home over the following few weeks to dig deeper into the topic. Parents are given ample support through the monthly meetings, published resources, and parish catechetical leaders.
What resources are available to help me?
In addition to the monthly meetings, our program provides easy to do activities with additional helps and suggestions for parents. Even parents with no religious background can use it comfortably. The Religious Education department is always available with additional resources or to answer questions as needed, and the monthly sessions allow parents to network, discuss, and share.
Can I work with other families in the program to help “share the load?”
We encourage families to meet and work with other families with children of similar ages. Pairings like this help provide community for the children in their learning and ease the time burdens for families!