Overview: Family formation represents a return to the practices of handing on the faith that have long been a part of Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial teaching.  In his encyclical Casti Connubii,  Pope Pius XI wrote in paragraph 17:

Since, however, we have spoken fully elsewhere on the Christian education of youth,[1] let us sum it all up by quoting once more the words of St. Augustine: “As regards the offspring it is provided that they should be begotten lovingly and educated religiously,”[2] – and this is also expressed succinctly in the Code of Canon Law – “The primary end of marriage is the procreation and the education of children.”[3]

Reinforcing the church’s tradition, studies indicate that parental involvement in the faith-life of their child is by far the most important element in ensuring that a child develops into a practicing Catholic.  Since teaching the faith involves learning the imitation of Jesus and Mary and their virtues, which is essentially behavior, God has bestowed the grace so that parents can teach this most effectively.  To support them, the class will equip parents with the content, activities, and strategies to lead their children to Heaven.

Who:  Families with children birth through 12th Grade, or adults interested in learning the foundations of the faith

When:  2nd and 4th Sunday 9:45am – 10:45am September through April

Where: Parish Hall

Class format: The class begins with a snack and whole family instruction, then splits into a parent class and a child class.  The parents engage in learning the theology and strategies and sharing tips and conversation, while their children engage in active activities that introduce the materials and engage their bodies in movement.

Goals: Helping develop strong Catholic families in which children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of the Catholic Faith through the witness of Christian life given by their parents.

Benefits:  Benefits of Family Faith Formation include: experiencing the joy of seeing the ones you love learn to treasure and grow in their faith, being able to share the most important journey of your lives together, and being able to meet other families that are forming themselves in the Catholic faith.

Curriculum: The class follows the Baltimore Catechism volume 4, which is the teacher’s guide and has all the explanations for the catechism’s questions.  Each year, the class delves into 8-10 lessons,  click here to view the schedule of lessons.    The parent portion includes a notebook (Click here to view a parent notebook for year 2, the current year in the cycle).   Free copies of the catechism volumes 1, 2, and 3 can be found here, and vol 4 (the explanations) found here.

Optionally, famililes can view a video presentation of the lessons here: Our Lady of the Rosary Family Catechism ,  additionally, the publisher has extra at-home activities for each lesson year one, and year two.

In Class and At-home Activities: instruction, demonstration, prayer, bible study, stories, games, songs, car talks, videos, crafts, puzzles, coloring pages, games, and discussions.

Other Resources and Programs for Families:

1. The Church’s teaching on the education of children, found in The Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 2196-2233
2. Annunciation Heights Camp
3. Click here to learn about the Apostolate for Family Consecration includes consecration, retreats, family catechism and more
4. Secrets to family holiness
5. The Messy Family Project
6. Catholic 365 (faith in your home) and Crying Babies Go to Bed (she clarifies toddlers)
7. Catholic Family Crate (coloring and activities)
8. Dr. Ray (discipline)
9. Peyton Family Institute
10. Catholic Counselors
11. Catholic Education Center Family Resources
12. Family Consecration to St. Joseph
13. Alliance of the Holy Family
14. A Mother’s Rule of Life
15. Saints Podcasts from The Merry Beggars