Children's Faith Formation

PK through Grade 5 Faith Formation 2021-2022

~Please see sidebar for Faith Formation information according to location~

Work

• Preparing and sharing meals together
• Working on household / outdoor maintenance projects together

• Write to Glory, our sponsored friend in Kenya through Unbound.
• Volunteer as a family. For instance, Scatter Good Farm in Brunswick grows organic produce specifically for area food pantries and welcomes family volunteers.

• Board and card games, arts and crafts, and read-alouds
• Time together in nature
• Family celebrations

• Enjoy movie nights through the Parish subscription to FORMED, a free resource for all ages from the Augustine Institute, providing easy access to Catholic programming, movies, audios and books.

• Meaningful meal conversations about faith and values
• Sharing the "thorns, buds, and roses" of the day

• Enjoy the Faith Formation Weekly, a parent resource that includes a Parenting the Faith column by Catechist and Knight, Sean Fidler.
• 52 Sundays is a free lectionary-based resource for all ages from the Archdiocese of Detroit that helps to bridge the Gospel to daily life highlighting prayer, breaking open the Word, reflection and action.

• Praise and worship time
• Family blessings
• Spiritual readings...Bible stories, lives of the saints, etc.

• Participate in the Family Mass, a monthly 11AM liturgy at St. Charles (dates below) with a child-friendly homily by Deacon John Murphy. Attend in-person or participate online via livestream. Dates: SEPT 26, OCT 24, NOV 28, DEC 26, JAN 23, FEB 27, MAR 27, APR 24, MAY 22.
• The family's participation in Mass on a regular basis helps children grow in their Catholic faith. 

YR-1, YR-2 and RCIA Adapted for Children

• Preparing Baptized Children for Confirmation and First Eucharist: Our parish has a 2-year sacrament preparation process: a 1st year of formal faith formation and a 2nd year that focuses on Reconciliation, Confirmation and Eucharist. This approach gives children the time needed to learn about and develop a relationship with Jesus, to learn prayers and ways of praying, to understand and desire the sacraments, and to be involved in the church through weekly Mass. Parents/guardians play the most important role in passing on the faith. Families come in many shapes and we welcome all regardless of the situation – married, single, divorced, currently active in the Church or not, Catholic and non-Catholic.
  • YR-1 Sacrament Preparation Parent Handbook (see sidebar)
  • ​​​​YR-2 Sacrament Preparation Parent Handbook (see sidebar)  
• Preparing Non-Baptized Children for Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) model of catechesis is followed for children 7 years of age or older who have not been baptized and have never received any religious education. The process prepares the child and family for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. The formation is specific to the stages of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Lent, and Mystagogy.​​​​​​ 
  • Journey of Faith from Liguori Publications

SAFE ENVIRONMENT CURRICULUM

• Circle of Grace is the diocesan-chosen safe environment curriculum. An information packet is available for anyone, especially those new to the program.