Faith Formation Programs
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Catechesis of the Good Shephard (Ages 3-Kindergarten)
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a religious formation program that is based upon the Montessori principles of education and begins with the understanding that God is in relationship with children and that children find great peace and joy in the presence of God. In a CGS environment, the children receive small group presentations and work with corresponding materials that invite them to ponder the mysteries of our faith. The content of the presentations is based on Scripture and the Liturgy. Scriptural topics include the Prophecies of the Old Testament, the Parables of the Kingdom of God, and the Gospel narrative surrounding the Incarnation and birth of Jesus. The presentations based on the liturgy introduce the children to the liturgical colors and sacred items used at Mass, as well as the gestures that occur during Mass. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd sessions are offered to 3 through 6 year olds in our parish. CGS catechists complete 90 hours of training in order to teach this program. Visit the national Catechesis of the Good Shepherd website, https://www.cgsusa.org/, for more information.
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Sacramental PreP - 1st reconciliation & 1st Communion
Grades 2-4 annually, Grades 5-8 as needed-
Students meet twice a month on Wednesday evenings for sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion.(Parents are not required to attend these sessions). One year of Faith Formation classes is required before beginning sacramental preparation classes.
The Sacramental Preparation program utilizes the Signs of Grace curriculum from the Augustine Institute for both First Reconciliation and First Communion.
These students do not attend Family of Faith sessions. Additional Family of Faith activity books can be purchased if the child wishes to join in that curriculum with their families at home. These student class dates correspond to the evenings when the families meet in their Family of Faith family groups.
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Family of Faith (Grades 1, 3-6)
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All Saints Parish assists parents in their primary role as their child(ren)’s teacher of the Catholic Faith by providing lessons for parents to use at home with their 1st through 6th grade child(ren) according to the family's schedule.
Additionally, parents and children gather together one Wednesday each month for Family Sessions. Families have the option to meet during the early session (4:30 to 5:45 p.m.) or the late session (6:45 to 8:00 p.m.) in St. Joseph Church and Gehlen School. Families receive an introduction to the month's topic and work on one of the two chapters for each month's lesson at these classes.
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Faith Formation (Grades 7-8), Confirmation (Grades 9-10), discipleship Group (Grades 7-12)
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7th through 10th grade students meet in small groups for community, prayer, catechesis, service, formation, and discussion on a variety of topics. These classes also come together to organize service projects, retreats, and other events. Mentors guide the small groups as each student responds to Christ’s invitation to follow Him and form a mature relationship with our Heavenly Father. Classes meet on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 to 8:00 p.m. in the Gehlen School building.
Confirmation preparation begins in the 9th grade using the Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth from St. Mary's Press. Additionally, students choose a Confirmation Sponsor & complete two reflection papers with them, write four Mass Reports, attend a retreat and complete ten service hours to round out their preparation experince. They celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in the fall of their 10th grade year.
7th through 12 graders are encouraged to join our Sunday night Discipleship Group at St. James Church from 7:30 - 8:30 pm year around. There is no fee for this group and busy teens come when they can to have fun, continue to grow deeper in their faith and build a supportive faith community amongst their peers.
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