Family Faith Formation
Formation for the whole family!
Family Faith Formation is our parish's whole-family catechesis program designed for grades Preschool - 8th. The goal of Family Faith Formation is to assist families in the living the faith by nurturing characteristics that are essential to following Jesus as His disciple. This format welcomes every family in the parish. Gatherings will include adult presentation, children's faith lesson, devotional practices, group discussion, and fun faith activities
The next Family Faith Formation gathering will be held Sunday, December 2, 2018 from 11:00 am to12:30 pm in the Parish Family Center.
Please note a few changes to this year's (2018-19) Family Faith Formation Season:
- Monthly gatherings will take place twice during the month from Setember to May unless otherwise noted.
- While both parents are preferred, at least one parent or guardian must attend with their child/children.
- We will no longer be doing the Home Lessons packets that were provided the last two years.
- Little Lambe (ages 3 & 4) will meet during Family Faith Formation.
- Refreshments will be provided before each gathering. Lunch wil be provided only on special occassions.
Little Lambs Sunday School
The Little Lambs program for preschool age children (ages 3 & 4) teaches the basic Gospel message with special emphasis placed on the dignity of each individual as a person made in the image of God. Each lesson includes music, stories and crafts that are designed to help children experience Jesus’ deep, personal love and to grow in friendship with Him. Little Lambs meets September through May during Family Faith Formation
The Liturgy of the Word with Children
After the Opening Prayer, children in grades kindergarten – 4th are invited to go with an adult catechist to celebrate a separate Liturgy of the Word that is more appropriate to their understanding and experience. Children will rejoin their family after the Prayers of the Faithful for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. No registration is necessary to have your children be part of Children’s Liturgy of the Word. When attending the 9:30 am Mass, simply have them come to the front of the sanctuary when Father invites them. Parents are welcome to accompany their children. The Liturgy of the Word with Children runs from September to the 3rd week in May.
2018 Vacation Bible School
Each year we invite children in grades kindergarten through 6th to participate in Vacation Bible School.
This past summer our theme was Cat Chat's Marvelous Mystery - The Mass Comes Alive. Children were offered an opportunity to better understand the Catholic Mass and deepen their love for Jesus in the Eucharist through faith teachings, music, games, and crafts.
Boomark this page to that you can easily find the 2019 VBS Dates, Registration and Theme!
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC)
Jesus said, "Let the children come to me" (Matthew 19:14.)
Each year a number of children and adults enter the church during the Easter Vigil at IHM. Like the adults, children, who have reached the age of reason and have not been baptized enter into the Catholic Christian Community through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
The RCIA process for adults is adapted for children and includes the same periods and rites. IHM's children and adults first experience the Pre-catechumenate period followed by the Rite of Welcoming and Acceptance. Secondly, they are involved in the Catechumenate period followed by the Rite of Election. Thirdly, they enter the Enlightenment period followed by the Rite of Initiation. Fourth, they enter a period of mystogogia.
If you would like to learn more about RCIA adapted for children, please email or call Aaron Epkey at 393-3033.
2018-2019 Registration Downloads
Enthroned Presentation
Join us for a three-part Enthroned presentation on January 6, January 20 and February 3 from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm in the Parish Family Center.
Session 1:
The Throne of Our Hearts
We explore the throne of our hearts. We talk about how each of us has a throne on our heart that is meant to be occupied by God. This session is all about pulling the wool back and revealing who God made us to be. That we are made in his image and that he has given the Holy Spirit as our helper to pull us into relationship with him. We end with a time of prayer asking God to help us to give him whatever is occupying the throne on our hearts. Expected Time needed: 1 hr. 15 min.
Session 2:
Enthroning God in Our Hearts
We explore prayer. We talk about how prayer is the center of our relationship with God. The main focus of this session is introducing a method for prayer that can be worked into the lives of those attending. Following the simple steps of reading, meditation, prayer, and contemplation we show how to practice Lectio Divina and contemplative prayer. We end with a time of prayer asking for a deeper in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit to help us in prayer and our relationship with God. Expected Time needed: 1 hr. 15 min.
Session 3:
The Narrow Road We explore devotion.
We talk about being in the story of salvation, and our call to sainthood. The aim of this session is to reveal the truth that God has blessed this generation and is pouring out abundant graces to help each and every one of us become saints. We also discuss discipleship, and how banding together and encouraging one another is a necessity. We end with a time of prayer where we ask to be strengthened in our resolve to serve God and to grow in relationship with Him. Expected time needed: 1 hr. 15 min.
