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Family Formation

Family Formation (PreK-Middle School)

Christ the King Family Formation 2024-2025

"Faith must be known, celebrated, lived and expressed in prayer." 

-National Directory for Catechesis, p. 59

WHY FAITH FORMATION

The Catholic Church is a Church called to “make disciples” as Christ asked.  To be formed as disciples, we must be formed in our faith.  Formation includes education but also goes beyond education- it includes knowledge, celebration, service and prayer.  We are trinitarian people- mind, body and spirit.  All of these needs must be addressed in our programs.  This becomes true “catechesis.”

"Catechesis is nothing other than the process of transmitting the Gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it and communicates it in many ways."  (General Directory for Catechesis #105)  Faith Formation is a well-rounded approach to making sure that catechesis happens.

If you still wonder why Faith Formation is important, check out the many studies that have explored the benefits of faith formation for life-long stability and success!  A Harvard study from 2019 found that young adults with a religious upbringing were much more physically and mentally healthy.  They had a greater life satisfaction and didn’t drink, smoke, use illegal drugs, etc. as much as peers.  Other studies completed and reported in Psychology Today shows benefits to school grades, overall health and even success in sports.  There are many other similar studies!

 

WHY OPTIONS

Christ the King is in a time of transition in Faith Formation staffing.  This can present a problem or an opportunity.  Providing a variety of options allows families to participate in faith formation in a way that works for them and at the same time, allows for the reality of currently low participation numbers in many grade levels.  Building up a core group of families who participate in faith formation will help build the momentum to encourage other families to be more involved.  Call it an experiment or “walking by faith.”  Give it a try!

 

WHY FAMILY FORMATION

The Catholic Church teaches that parents are the primary faith educators of their children and that families are the primary unit of our society.  The parish family is an extension of the individual family.  And, while parents must be the primary faith educators, the parish is called to help parents by providing support and formation for the parents and whole family as well.  

Children who participate in faith formation but don’t see their parents learning about their faith are far less likely to remember or care about what they are learning.  Children need to be able to be in faith conversations with their parents, just like they talk about other important life topics.  Many families find it difficult to start such conversations or fit it into their life routines.  Dedicating time to family formation shows our young people how important this is for us adults too!

 

WHAT ARE OUR OPTIONS THIS YEAR

This year, we'll offer three opportunities for family formation: 

FAMILY FORMATION WEDNESDAY EVENINGS  with break out sessions for second graders (and any other grades for which there is enough enrollment). These sessions will include large group prayer, family formation on a theme from Finding God with parents and children learning together, ad art and other hands-on learning time. These sessions will be led by Erin O'Leary with trained catechists teaching any breat out sessions. These Family Formation evening sessions are open to PreK-5th graders with Middle Schoolers welcome to join in with their family.

FAMILY FORMATION SEASONAL EVENTS - all Family Formation participants should plan to attend these sessions. They will include prayer, formation and a service project related to the season. There will be one for Advent, St Vanentine's Season, Lent and Easter. This is a family time to actively carry out our faith as a commnunity and allows families that don't participate in Wednesday evenings to join with those families who do. These sessions are open to PreK-Middle School Grade Families.

FAMILY AT HOME FORMATION- These families will carry out Faith Formation at home with on-line guidance and accountability using the SeeSaw platform. These famiies should plan to join in the Seasonal Events as well to provide their child/ren with community experiences in their faith. This program is open to Kindergarten-5th Grade Families.


CALLING ALL PREK-MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES! 

Join us on Saturday, Feb 8 from 10-11:30 for a family VALENTINE EVENT!  Parents/Guardians and their children will participate together for some formation fun about St. Valentine and Five Ways To Love Like Jesus.  

Families will learn, make some crafts, have fun and snacks, pray, hear stories, get to know other families and get ready for a faith-filled St. Valentine’s Day.  Grandparents are also welcome!

WHAT: Family Valentine Event

WHO: All CTK PreK-Middle School Families (Parents and Kids together)

WHERE: The CTK Social Hall

WHEN: 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8th.

COST: Free to Registered Faith Formation Families/a free-will donation at the door for others.

HOW: Just register and show up by 10 a.m.!  All supplies provided.

SIGN UP HERE: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090F4FA8AF2AA6FA7-54529641-ctkvalentine

EVENT GUIDE:  Erin O'Leary, Interim Director of Family Formation at CTK.


WHAT ABOUT RECONCILIATION & EUCHARIST PREPARATION

Families whose children in Grade 2 or older and are participating in First Reconciliation and Eucharist Preparation must either have their children attending Carondelet School or participate in the Wednesday Evening Family Faith Formation program.  In addition, there are both At-home lessons AND several in-person gatherings.  Parents and children will mostly participate in these together with the exception of one parent meeting.  On-line support will be provided for at home lessons.  The in-person sessions will form the families in things that are more difficult to address at home, help them explore the physical spaces for the sacraments at church and help build community!  Becoming the Body of Christ is difficult in isolation so we want to model community relationships too!

QUESTIONS?

Erin O'Leary

Director of Faith Formation
Church of the Holy Name
Minneapolis, MN
612-724-5465, ext. 203
erino@churchoftheholyname.org
 

Download Registration Form

Family Formation Format Selection Form

Family Formation & Sacraments Calendar 2024-2025

 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

SUNDAY 9AM MASS

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered for children age Kindergarten through 4th Grade at our Sunday 9:00 a.m. Mass. Children younger than Kindergarten may join in if a parent attends with them.  Children’s Liturgy of the Word is part of Mass and includes a child-friendly version of the parts of the Liturgy of the Word that the adults and older children are experiencing.  The readings are taken from the Lectionary for Masses with Children and are simpler and shorter versions. Discussion time is included.  The children are called forth by the Presider and go to the parish library.  They return to the main church at the Preparation of the Gifts.  No registration is required.

Ministry leaders serve on a rotating basis to proclaim the Word of God with the children and lead an age-appropriate homiletic reflection in an interactive way. Training is provided, as well as support and encouragement. A love of children and of God’s Word is required as well as comfort leading a group.  Leaders also must complete the Archdiocesan “Essential Three” training for the Protection of Children and Youth.  For more information about joining this ministry, please contact Erin O'Leary at erino@churchoftheholyname.org.