Family Faith Formation & First Communion: Grades 1-5
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IMPORTANT! SCHEDULE CHANGE
NO Sunday 12:30 pm gatherings in March, April, or May
During March, April, and May, we will not offer a 12:30 pm Sunday monthly gathering, due to the new 11:00 am Mass in the school cafeteria. Students and one or both parents who are participating in Faith Formation, please join us at either of the times below:
Sunday, March 5
2:30 - 3:30 pm ONLY
School Cafeteria
Tuesday, March 7
6:00 - 7:00 pm
School Cafeteria
See April and May dates below
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Welcome!
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Family Faith Formation is for ALL families with students in grades 1-5 for the 2022-2023 school year. It’s about strengthening families and faith - whether you attend public, private, Catholic or home school.
Read our who, what, when, why and FAQs below.
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Strengthening families and faith
WHAT?
Family Faith Formation is used by a growing number of dioceses and parishes and has two key elements:
1. A monthly gathering of parents and students, where you’ll:- ¨Get to know other families
- Learn about our faith and how to bring it alive at home
- Participate in parent-only and student-only activities + family-activities, music, prayer, and fun
2. With weekly family activities at home, where you’ll:
- ¨Read, talk about the Sunday readings, and pray
- Do simple, age-appropriate activities
- Explore real-life questions about faith
WHO?
ALL registered parish families with students in grades 1-5 for the 2022-2023 school year are invited - whether you attend public, private, Catholic or home school.
Note: Our diocese requires 2 years of Faith Formation in a parish or Catholic school prior to receiving sacraments (including First Communion and Confirmation).
WHEN?
Choose to attend the monthly family gatherings in the school cafeteria on either Sunday afternoons or Tuesday evenings . We ask you to attend the same day of the week each month.Note: Students eligible to prepare for First Communion this school year have 4 additional parent/student workshops.
SUNDAY
Monthly Gatherings
UPDATED!
2:30 - 3:30 pm ONLY
school cafeteriaMarch 5
April 2
May 7TUESDAY
Monthly Gatherings
6:00 - 7:00 pm
school cafeteria
March 7April 4
May 9
WHY? Please read!
Why are we offering a new format for Faith Formation? In a nutshell, it’s all about you, the family! You care deeply about your child’s character, values, faith, and eternal life. Our church does, too!But cultural influences are working against marriages, family, and faith. The breakdown of families, alcohol and drug use, anxiety, depression, and risky behaviors are on the increase.
The national statistics on faith are disheartening, too: for every 1 person entering the U.S. Catholic church, 6 people leave. Many make their decision by age 13.
The traditional classroom model of passing on faith is no longer working…no matter how wonderful the catechist is. Many families search for a sacramental “event” (Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation) without being offered a path of true spiritual growth and active engagement in the faith. Families need a relevant, dynamic way to celebrate and grow in faith together - one that supports the Catholic Church's recognition of parents as the primary catechists for their children - one that supports parents in the promises they made for their child at baptism.
When parents actively teach and model faith for their children - especially in these early, formative years - the impacts are significant and life-long.
Family Faith Formation will provide the support you need to pass on faith at home!
See "Frequently Asked Questions" below for more!
HOW?
Registration for the 2022-2023 has closed.
ABOUT FEES THIS YEAR: There is no separate program fee. Please prayerfully help provide for the $450/student investment (in staff, materials, and resources) through your regular offertory giving. All of our parish ministries, activities and expenses are funded through giving. We encourage you to use Online Giving. Learn more or login here.
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Would you like to help with Family Faith Formation?
Fill out the interest form here
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Preparing for First Communion?
If your student meets the eligbility criteria to prepare to receive First Communion and First Reconciliation this school year, you will register for this as part of the online Family Faith Formation registration form.
See FAQs and eligibility requirements here
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Frequently Asked Questions about Faith Formation
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Everyone! Students of all ages and from all schools are invited to participate in formation programs to deepen their understanding of our faith and to grow in their relationship with Jesus.
- Kindergarten and younger can participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 9 am Sunday Mass.
- Families with students in grades 1-5 are invited to participate in the Family Faith Formation program, which meets monthly on either Sundays at 2:30 pm or Tuesdays at 6:00 pm.
- First graders should be registered for Family Faith Formation in preparation for receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in second grade. The Diocese of Charlotte requires two consecutive years of instruction (traditionally first and second grades) in order to receive these sacraments.
- Middle School students in Grades 6-8 will receive Faith Formation through EDGE Youth Group on Wednesday evenings. Participation in this group will meet the 8th grade requirement for Confirmation preparation in 9th grade.
- Confirmation preparation is usually done in 9th grade at St. Gabriel. The Diocese of Charlotte requires two consecutive years of instruction (traditionally 8th and 9th) in order to receive this sacrament. Details here.
- High School Youth Group will meet this year on Sundays after the 5 PM Mass. Details here.
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We are gratefully investing more than $450/student this year in staff, materials, and resources for Family Faith Formation. Although we are not collecting a separate program fee this year, we ask you to prayerfully support Faith Formation and the other ministries, operations, and mission of St. Gabriel through regular offertory contributions. This is an important part of spiritual leadership of your family.
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We will not be providing childcare in the immediate future, but parents may bring younger siblings to our monthly sessions.
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We encourage both parents to attend, but parents may take turns attending with the children month to month. We know that families are complex and have full schedules. Although we hope this will be a priority for your family, we recognize that on occasion a work commitment or sick family member might keep one parent from attending. In extreme cases, a grandparent or Godparent could attend with the student, but it should not be a Nanny or sitter as this is a formation program for the family- parents, too.
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Families should strive to attend all of the monthly events with the exception of illnesses and family emergencies.
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If there is a need to switch, please contact the office and discuss the situation with us first. Significant planning goes into each session and volunteer staffing levels are based on the assigned numbers. Community building is best done with consistent attendance.
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As the primary catechist for your children, you are responsible for their faith formation. St. Gabriel provides assistance to families through our programs. Reception of the sacraments (Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation) requires two years of catechesis in the parish or through a parish approved program. Contact the office for more information.
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The “weekly drop off to a classroom” model no longer aligns with our goal of families being fully involved in parish life. We strive to help families be engaged in our faith community of St. Gabriel.
The goals of our new family-based approach are to help families:
- Develop a vibrant Domestic Church within the home
- Pursue personal relationships with Jesus
- Develop a regular rhythm of participation in Mass and in the life of the parish
- Pursue opportunities to learn and grow in the fullness of our faith
- Recognize Christ’s presence in ordinary moments of daily life
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Yes, we will need volunteers to help with breakout sessions for the different grade levels as well as other areas of responsibility to make this program a success. We will post on our website the different opportunities. All adults must have complete and up to date Safe Environment documents.
Find Safe Environment requirements here
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Participants are asked to follow current CDC guidelines for COVID prevention, which includes remaining at home in case of symptoms, exposure, or positive test results.
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Still have questions?
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