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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
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)
Thank you for making this commitment. We know that it is not easy in this culture. We want to support parents in being the primary educators of their children.
So much to teach our children, and so quickly the years go by. As a parent, the responsibility can at times feel overwhelming. The math, the reading, the sports and activities all contribute to the development of our children and have value and importance. But there is that One thing or more precisely the One Person that supersedes all other lessons in value. Helping our children to develop a strong and trusting relationship with the Lord will enable them to face all that they encounter in life. We cannot be with them at all times but we can be confident and they can too, when they know that the Lord is always with them. What great peace and assurance we have as parents when we have introduced and fostered within our children a strong relationship with the Lord and the Saints.
Our aim is to help families to:
Grow in Faith.
Growing in relationship to Christ and His Church is a life-long process.
Be strengthened and build community.
We need strong faithful families and families need one another for support and fellowship.
Equip their children to develop a life-long relationship with the Lord.
The life of faith and a relationship with Christ is the most valuable gift we can give our children. When they leave home with this gift we can be confident that we have provided them with the best and all that they need to get to Heaven.Overview of Family Catechesis
- Families meet once a month for a community meeting for faith-based, fun activities and social time.
- Parents/older children attend a catechetical teaching offered monthly that lays the foundation for the teachings they will do with their children at home. You may choose to attend on Sunday (10:30am – 11:20am) or Wed. 7-8pm.
- We follow a four-year curriculum cycle. There is a parent book with lessons and activities to choose from along with an activity book for the children. Parents choose the activities that are most appropriate for their children according to age and maturity.
- Above all, we encourage and provide guidance and resources for developing a culture of daily prayer and Catholic Living in the home.
How does Family Catechesis fit in with a homeschool curriculum or a Catholic Schooling Family?
We invite and encourage all families to participate in our community meetings and our catechetical teachings. We understand you may not need additional home lessons but we appreciate and are grateful to have families come together once a month for our community meetings so they can get to know one another and support one another. So, no additional homework – just register as a home school/Catholic schooling family and join us for community time once a month!
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
Our Cathechists
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.
Jeanette Houle, or Ms. J. as most of the youth who have grown up with her call her, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and a Master of Arts in Education, with course work in Theology. She has 15 years of parish ministry experience, having served 2 parishes in the Diocese of Ft. Worth, Texas as Director of Formation, Youth & Young Adult Minister as well as serving as Director of Family Formation for a parish in Massachusetts. Jeanette works at Holy Family Academy as well as part-time Youth Minister Ste Marie.
Marci Houle is a catechist with bachelor's degrees in Theology, Catechetics, and English from Franciscan University of Steubenville and 12 years of experience working with various Church ministries. Her previous posts include Coordinator of Adult Faith Formation, RCIA Coordinator, and Youth Leader. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Catechetics and Evangelization while working in the Admissions Department at Magdalen College of the Liberal Arts in Warner, NH.
Preparation for Sacraments may begin at the age of 5 or 6 depending on the maturity of the child
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