Faith Formation Mid-Year Update

To say it has been a challenging Faith Formation year would be an understatement, but thanks to the dedication of adults and families, volunteers, our creative Faith Formation team, and a little technology, a lot of good things are happening despite – and sometimes because of – all the obstacles!

Faith Formation for Children has proceeded through home schooling or a hybrid approach, with half the kids coming to the church hall on alternate weeks for classes at various times. Our director, Maggie Hoagland, has worked hard to share her creative lessons and guidance in support of parents, and the catechists have been wonderful in their ongoing ministry. While all students are temporarily home schooling, when our towns are no longer considered in the "red" we will return to hybrid classes for those families.

Faith Formation for Youth (grade 7 through high school) took a different approach, primarily using online classes once or twice a month. "Pre-Confirmation" (grades 7-8) is using a new curriculum based on St. John Paul II's theology of the body, and Confirmation years 1 & 2 have taken a fresh ap-proach to the "Chosen" program. Both programs in-corporate our priests and guest speakers to help bring to life the curriculum as well as the vocations of marriage, ordained ministry, and religious life. Confirmation 2 has just finished their classes, and will use the remaining months to focus on their community ser-vice and immediate preparation for the sacrament in May. Confirmation 1 started with community service and is beginning classes this weekend, starting with a Mass of the Holy Spirit at Noon. We are most grateful for the Trappistine Nuns and Daughters of St. Paul and other guest speakers, and for the catechists who developed new skills to run classes online – especially for those who taught the fall program and are now staying on to teach this second semester, too.

Faith Formation for Adults has also continued throughout the year. Last spring, the second half of "Discovering Christ" took place in online Zoom discussion groups, and we were surprised at how well that allowed us to have meaningful encounters with Jesus and each other. Our Bible Study moved online with others beyond the parishes joining us, and actually more participation in discussion than when the group was together physically! We are planning other opportunities for adults and teens this Lent. Do you have an idea for an activity or theme for a presentation you would like to suggest? Please share your ideas with a priest, deacon, or other member of our Pastoral Team soon by phone or email so we can consider them for the coming months.