-
-
As the family goes, so goes the nation......and so goes the whole world in which we live. --St. John Paul II
Ste. Marie Parish
Family Faith Formation
2020-2021 School Year
Sunday Mass & the Practice of the Faith
The essential first components to faith formation in families include:
- Regular Weekly Participation at Sunday Masses & Holy Day Masses
- Confession throughout the year
- Daily prayer/devotions at home
- The practice of stewardship (sharing time, talent and treasure)
Monthly Family Faith Formation for ages 6+
We will be using Sophia Press “A Family of Faith” – Profession of Faith
Each family will receive a parent book and a children’s workbook (additional books for children may be purchased if you choose)
We are using a family group model. Families – with at least one parent ( ideally both attend) will meet once per month for 90 min. Families will be grouped with other families with children of similar ages and be led by a mentor couple/family through one lesson for the month with prayer, activities and discussion.
The families will complete one lesson at home on their own. Mentors will be available for questions or guidance in completing the family home lesson.
Families will remain with their assigned groups for the year allowing families to get to know one another and to build community within the larger parish community.
Additional Community & Prayer Opportunities offered: Feast Day Celebrations, Family Adoration Half Hours, Service Opportunities
Childcare will be provided and a pre-school option will be available during the Family Faith Formation meeting time.
Youth grades 7-12- Are encouraged to attend the Theology Sundays or Wednesdays with their parents.
- Attend Youth Group offerings including XLT , Bible Studies and weekly gatherings
- Welcome to volunteer for childcare & pre-school programs at the monthly Sunday or Wednesday Family Faith Formation Group Meetings
Adult/Youth Theology
Monthly Adult sessions for the topic of the month for Family Formation will be presented twice.Our Catechists:
Fr.Moe Larochelle - Pastor of Ste. Marie Parish, priest for 33 years for the Diocese of Manchester.
Fr. Rick St. Louis - priest in residence at Ste. Marie
Rachael Keena - is a catechist with a Master’s degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and over 15 years of experience teaching the Catholic Faith. Her experience includes giving talks at schools, parishes, and retreat centers; directing Catholic retreats for middle schoolers, teens, and young adults; leading both Catholic and inter-faith bible studies; leading Catholic young adult college programs; and teaching RCIA classes. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and has spent time conducting pro-life adult stem cell research and giving talks on the unity of faith and science. She and her husband Justin, two year old son Isaac, and one year old daughter Davy are members of Ste. Marie Parish.
Justin Keena- is a web developer and humanities professor with over seven years of experience teaching at the university level. He received his Master of Studies in Ancient Philosophy from Oxford University in 2012. He has since taught at Franciscan University of Steubenville, the Catholic University of America, where he also earned an MA in English, and Nashua Community College. His intellectual heroes are St. John Henry Newman, St. Augustine, Dietrich von Hildebrand, and C.S. Lewis, about whom he maintains multiple websites. He recommends you not mention any of them unless you don’t have to be anywhere for awhile. Inspired by their lives and works, Justin is convinced of the compatibility of faith and reason and the compelling truth of Catholic apologetics. He and his wife Rachael, two year old son Isaac, and one year old daughter Davy are members of Ste. Marie’s Parish.
Parents are asked to attend one session either on Sunday (between the 9:30am-11:30am Masses) or on Wed. Evening 7-8pm.
Youth (grades 7-12) and all parishioners are invited to attend these sessions as well. Childcare & pre-school care will be offered only on Sunday mornings for these sessions.
Readiness for Sacraments, rather than based on grade level, is determined on an individual basis according to one’s maturity in the faith. Preparation for Sacraments may begin a year in advance of the age of reason (age 7).
Please see the Sacramental Preparation Guidelines for each Sacrament and complete the Request for Sacramental Preparation for your child.
Families Formed in Christ Registration Form click here
Downloadable FFC calendar is here