September Faith Formation Update

Summer vacation is now past, and before us is the promise of another school year, and a year of growing in relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.  

This coming weekend we kick off all our programs. I have been saying that this faith formation year is going to be EPIC. Here are some of the reasons why. Our K-5th classes are using a new book called Spirit of Truth by Sophia Press. It’s a fantastic book that uses the various learning modalities of students to teach the material. Every student will learn according to their ability.

Our junior high students are going to be attending EDGE. Study after study shows that by time students get to 6th grade they are ready for a new way of learning and engaging with the faith. EDGE is that format. Students will begin in large group for an icebreaker activity, opening prayer and the lesson of the day. They will then break into small groups to discuss the teaching with a CORE Team Member! They will finish in large group. 

Students preparing for 1st Penance and 1st Communion are going to be using the BLESSED program from Dynamic Catholic. It is truly the best program for forming children for these two beautiful sacraments of the church. And not only that, it is a program that brings the whole family together to learn and grow in faith.

Truly this year is going to be EPIC. And the biggest reason it’s going to be EPIC is that we will all Encounter Jesus Christ, Engage with our Faith, and Witness our faith to others.

On a spiritual note, September is the month of angels. At the end of the month we have the feast days of the archangels, and our guardian angels. As this new school year begins, as a family pray the St. Michael prayer and the Guardian angel prayer every day for protection. Prayers can be found at the end of this communication.

 

I’m praying for you.

Carlo Stebbings

Director of Faith Formation

Faith Formation News for September

Mark your Calendars!

Monthly/Family Sessions

Just a reminder that we are NOT using Champions for Life this year. Due to the lack of volunteer help it is not feasible to return to CFL and offer the students a meaningful faith experience. Therefore, our monthly sessions will be for student and parent(s). Students need to attend at least 5 of the 7 offered sessions.

Our first monthly session is this Saturday, September 8, 4:30pm Mass at Sacred Heart followed by a family session from 5:30-6:30pm.

***Students in grades 6-8 who are registered for the monthly/summer program can attend an EDGE gathering in place of the Saturday gathering.

Weekly Programs (K-5th)

9th and 10th are the first classes for our Sunday and Monday program.

***All parents are asked to attend the opening class with their children.

EDGE Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th grade)

            Sunday morning 8:45am-10:00am OR Monday 6:30pm-8:00pm at St. Joseph School

9/10- Ignition!

16/17-Kindling!

23/24- Everlasting! and Chosen: Why am I here?

30/1-Life in the Fire!

 

EMMAUS High School Youth Group (9th-12th)

            Sundays from 6:30pm-8:00pm in Youth Room at St. Joseph School

9-Jesus as True God and True Man

16-The Beatitudes

23- Chosen- Who is the Holy Spirit?

30-Truth, Freedom, and Responsibility

 

SACRAMENTAL FORMATION

Confirmation

Orientations for both Year 1 and Year 2: September 5 at 7:00pm OR September 9 at 11:30am.

Both orientations are at Sacred Heart. Parent and candidate attend together.

Year 1- 1st meeting is on the 24th at 6:30pm

Year 2- 1st meeting is on the 23rd at 6:30pm

1st Penance

Orientations/Lesson 1: September 20th at 6:30pm at St. Alphonsus Parish Center OR 22nd at 8:30am at Sacred Heart. Parent and Child attend together.  

 

Family Faith Formation

PRAYER TO
SAINT MICHAEL
THE ARCHANGEL

St. Michael the Archangel, 
defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, 
and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 
by the power of God, 
thrust into hell Satan, 
and all the evil spirits, 
who prowl about the world 
seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

 

Prayer
To Your
Guardian
Ange
l

 

 

 

 

 

Angel of God,
my guardian dear,
To whom God's love
commits me here,
Ever this day,
be at my side,
To light and guard,
Rule and guide.

Amen.