Mission Statement
The Faith Formation team of St. Mary and St. John the Baptist Parishes, in partnership with parents to help guide their children to eternal salvation. Assisted by the Spirit of Jesus, we provide information about Jesus and His Holy Church, prayer experiences that invite spiritual transformation to help form a deep relationship with Jesus. We believe in the presence of Jesus makes the ministry of Faith Formation effective, so young people may respond to the message through growth in faith, worship and Christian service.
Welcome to our Faith Formation Program!
Faith Formation is mainly for students who attend public school, so to help form them in their Catholic Faith and relationship with Christ, but ALL families are welcome! We have students who attend Catholic school and homeschool families join us as well!
This year, Faith Formation begins on September 4th.
If your child is in grades 3K-11 and you are looking to register them for
- Faith Formation
- First Reconciliation
- First Communion
- Confirmation preparation classes
Please click the appropriate link below to find our registration form:
Grades 3K – Grade 2 registration click here: https://forms.gle/g27fWgezXysjXZTH6
**Times are tentative. Registration of your child will help us solidify times for the fall.**
- Level 1 (PreK - Kindergarten) Wednesdays from 4:40-5:15pm
- Level 2 (Grade 1-2) Wednesdays from 4:40-5:15pm & 5:20-6:55pm*
- Mass at 7pm – students are HIGHLY encouraged to attend after their session
Our 3K-2nd grade students participate in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, also known as “CGS” began in Rome in 1954, with the work of Sofia Cavalletti, a theologian and biblical scholar, and Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator. CGS is a Montessori-based religious formation program for children which seeks to create and facilitate a sacred, “hands-on” space for children called an Atrium. In the Atrium, both the children and their catechists hear, ponder, and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Catholic faith as revealed in the Scriptures and the Liturgy. CGS is based on the belief that God and the child are already in relationship.
The Atrium is designed to be “a place set apart”. It is a place of prayer, in which work and study spontaneously become meditation, contemplation, and prayer. There are no textbooks in CGS, nor are there desks or blackboards, and no homework or quizzes. The small, personal environment allows children the space and quiet they need to listen for the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
In the Atrium, children practice different “works”. For example, one “work” shows the child about the different color vestments that a priest wear, and why. Another “work” shows the child the parable of the Good Shepherd. In the Atrium the adults ask questions of the children, such as “Who does Jesus tell us that he is?” “Why do you think Jesus gives us this parable?” “Who then, are these sheep?” The Atrium allows children the space and freedom to grow in their faith in their own time. They aren’t given an answer by an adult and told to write it down; they have experiences of God that they can carry with them their whole lives. They don’t just “know” who the sheep are. They understand who the sheep are. You can also learn more at cgsusa.org
Grades 3-11 registration click here:
https://forms.gle/TxNRWFyRYQAACvFz7
- Grades 3-11 meet on Wednesdays from 5:55-7:30pm *Mass included
For grades 3-5, we use Family of Faith by Sophia Institute.
For grades 6-8, we use the Catholic Connections Handbook by St. Mary Press as a resource and supplement the book with videos and discussions.
For grades 9-11, we use the Catholic Youth Handbook by St. Mary Press as a resource and supplement the book with videos and discussions.
For Confirmation, we use Decision Point by Dynamic Catholic mixed with a Works of Mercy curriculum.
We also offer sessions for all parents to attend as well, while the students are in class.
If you would like to receive the Faith Formation emails and updates, or would like more information about joining or volunteering for our program, please contact Bethany Robinson at 725-7714 ext. 424 or at brobinson@smcatholicschools.org
Specific calendars below for Wednesday Night F.U.E.L. (Faith Formation), Reconciliation, Communion and Confirmation classes are coming soon!
Sacrament Information
Reconciliation
The practice in the Diocese of Green Bay is to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) prior to receiving First Communion. This means that most children will prepare in Grade 2. The preparation program begins in September with a meeting for parents. The textbook is distributed, as well as a handbook for parents to help families prepare for the celebration. We use the textbook, BLESSED: First Reconciliation by Dynamic Catholic in combination with materials from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The children are prepared at home with additional review at Faith Formation or St. Mary Elementary. They will also attend Parish preparation events, including a retreat. First Reconciliation date is TBD
For more information contact Bethany Robinson at (920)725-7714 ext. 424
Times for the individual celebration of the sacrament of Reconciliation are listed in the bulletin.
The Holy Eucharist – First Communion
Children in second grade and older who have not received First Eucharist and have been baptized are eligible for this sacrament.
The preparation program begins in January with a meeting for parents. The textbook is distributed, as well as a handbook for parents to help families prepare for the celebration. We use the textbook, BLESSED: First Communion by Dynamic Catholic in combination with materials from Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The children are prepared at home with additional review at Faith Formation or St. Mary Elementary. They will also attend Parish preparation events, including a retreat. First Communion generally happens in April or May.
It is expected that children will have completed Grade 1 (or at least one year, if an older student) in Faith Formation, Catholic School, or another setting prior to beginning preparation for First Eucharist. This gives the child better grounding in and knowledge of the faith, learning and memorization of prayers, etc.
For more information contact Bethany Robinson at (920)725-7714 ext. 424
Sacrament of Confirmation
Juniors and seniors in high school, who have not been confirmed, and have been baptized and received their First Communion, are eligible to participate in the preparation program for Confirmation.
All students must have participated in at least 1 year of prior religious education(grade 10) or gone through grade 10 in a Catholic school or have made up for that training before being Confirmed. Candidates select a sponsor who works with them throughout the final stages of the preparation process. In addition to classes, the candidate attends a retreat, and completes service in the parish and larger community.
We generally celebrate Confirmation in May – Date is TBA.
Confirmation Sponsor
Role of Sponsor
“As they become familiar with the Christian way of life, and are helped by the example and support of sponsors, godparents, and the entire Christian community, the catechumens learn to turn more readily to God in prayer, to bear witness to the faith, in all things to keep their hopes set on Christ, to follow supernatural inspiration in their deeds, and to practice love of neighbor, even at the cost of self renunciation.” RCIA 75.2
Expectations of Sponsors
A sponsor should be someone who models the Catholic faith and a life of discipleship to the best of their ability. The sponsor should be someone who truly can support the candidate in the desire to believe in Jesus Christ and to live out that belief in daily life. The sponsor must also be willing to challenge the candidate on un-Christian attitudes or actions, when that is necessary, and to pray with the candidate and encourage the candidate. Practically speaking, this means that the sponsor must be someone with whom the candidate can have actual contact with during the preparation period. Additionally, we recommend that he/she can attend some (or all) of the classes with the candidate.
A sponsor should according to Canon Law be:
- Not a parent of the candidate
- At least 16 years old
- Has received the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation in the Catholic church
- Is a practicing Catholic
For more information contact Bethany Robinson at (920)725-7714 ext. 424
Social Media – We have an Instagram page: @neenahmenashacatholicym
And Find us on Facebook! @ neenahmenashacatholicym
FAITH FORMATION OFFICE/STAFF
Bethany Robinson
Faith Formation Coordinator
Email: brobinson@smcatholicschools.org
Phone: 725-7714 x 424
How can you get involved?
We rely solely on volunteers to help teach and spread the Gospel message of Jesus. Please prayerfully consider being a catechist, classroom aide, help with the meals before class, etc. Contact Bethany for more information to see where we need help!
What catechists have to say about their ministry…
“Teaching religion is very rewarding and helps you to grow in your own faith journey”. – Vicky.
“Let Go Let God enter your life!” – Laurie
Being a Catechist
So what does it mean to me:
It means sharing faith and love,
Truly a gift sent by God above.
It means time out of your day,
It’s time that I look at now that I wouldn’t spend any other way.
Seeing the smiles on the kids shining through and understanding Gods message comes from the heart,
It’s an understanding that delivering Gods message I am doing my part.
It’s so much bigger than going every week,
We are called to do this by God and it makes you humble and meek.
Before I signed up a commitment was all I could see,
But then the Holy Spirit came to guide me.
Now I get the chills and a feeling I can’t complain ,
It’s not a commitment but rather it’s a blessing and a feeling you can’t explain.
You are giving so much to the children who are our future in society,
It’s helping to pave their way created by you and me.
We can do something, it comes from the heart,
We are being called by God - let’s do our part.
We are in need of people to help us continue,
I hope the Holy Spirit will reach out to some of you.
~Stacy Berman