• “The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith. For this reason, the family home is rightly called ‘the domestic church,’ a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity … It is a community of faith, hope, and charity.” (CCC, 1666, 2204)
• “Parents are the principal and first educators of their children. In this sense, the fundamental task of marriage and family is to be at the service of life.” (CCC, 1653)
•  "The home is the first school of Christian life and ‘a school for human enrichment.” Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous — even repeated — forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one’s life.” (CCC, 1657) 

Our Faith Formation programs for Children and Youth has always involved a cooperative effort between parents/guardians and the parish. At home, children learn things like prayers, the way we live our faith, as well as the values we hold dear as Catholic Christians. And up to this point, St. Anthony’s has been here to assist you by offering you/your family a classroom-based faith formation model. 
This year (20-21) things will look somewhat different.  As a result of the Faith Formation Family Survey and as an attempt to put something into place that is “Covid” friendly, (something that is consistent through the ups and downs of this pandemic) we are choosing a new model, that we will call “Families Celebrating Faith” (FCF)! This will be a combination of meeting on campus once a month, and parent led catechesis at home for the remainder of the month.
  
What to expect…
 
Kindergarten – 5^th grade:
Beginning September 20, 2020, we will have a family on campus kickoff event, which will model the once a month family events that we will be implementing.  We will come together to pray, play, talk and do service in fellowship and fun!
It will be offered as many times as necessary to keep our numbers low in accordance with diocesan and CDC guidelines. (for example, 5 families at a time)
 
When we gather, we are hoping to do so in the Faith Development Center and some classrooms, but who knows how long that will last!  This model is so user friendly, we could even change it into something like…Parking Lot Pick Up Parties! Or Drive Through Faith & Fun! Hey…would that make us Drive-Thru Disciples?  Anyways, you get the gist…we can simply adapt!
 
This is a possible layout of the day: (60-75 minutes)
Sunday September 20, 2020 – Kick Off of Families Celebrating Faith.
Times: 9:30, 11:30 and 1:30. (you will be assigned a time)

• Prayer (pray)
• Parent instruction on leading a lesson and children go to their own lesson. (talk)

Materials will be handed out to do at home for the rest of the month.

• Service Project: (Example) Birthday bags for food pantry. (service)
• Family activity (play)

Diocesan Mandated Circle of Grace safe environments programming will be partially done here at St. Anthony’s on a given “Families Celebrating Faith” session, as well as an at home segment.
More information on this to come later.
As always, parents can choose to opt their child(ren) out of this safe environment training. To do this, simply check NO on the Faith Formation registration form.
 
Grades 6 – 8     Middle School Youth Group 
In a similar format, Middle School Youth Group will meet on Campus, the 3 ^rd Wednesday of the month, for fellowship and fun. At these sessions, the youth will be given materials to take home to use as guides for their online sessions the second and fourth Wednesday’s.
The first Wednesday of the month is always dedicated to 8 ^th grade Confirmation Preparation.
Depending on the number of youths registered, there may be more than one on campus session offered. This is to be determined.
Participation in middle school youth group is a requirement for any 8 ^th grader who does not attend St. Anthony’s Catholic School. All children, both catholic and public school preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation are highly encouraged to participate in middle school youth group.

Diocesan Mandated Circle of Grace safe environments programming will be implemented here at St. Anthony’s on a given 3 ^rd Wednesday of the month session. Date to be determined.
As always, parents can choose to opt their child(ren) out of this safe environment training. To do this, simply state NO on the Faith Formation registration form.
 
 
High School Youth Ministry
Our High School Youth and their adult mentors meet weekly on Sunday evenings. 
Please visit our High School Youth Ministry page to learn more.
 
 
Sacrament Preparation
 
First Reconciliation & First Eucharist  
Families must complete both the Faith Formation AND First Reconciliation/Eucharist registration forms (online or hard copy form) Click the links to access Registration Forms.   /faith-formation-registration
  /first-reconciliation-eucharist-registration
First Reconciliation and Eucharist will be done in the same manner as Elementary Faith Formation. Sacrament preparation materials to do at home as a family, will be handed out at a Sunday
“Families Celebrating Faith” session.
 
Any child second grade and up who wants to celebrate these sacraments and does not attend
St. Anthony’s Catholic School, will be required to register for and be an active part of “Families Celebrating Faith.” In addition, each child, along with their parents must complete their weekly lessons to be turned in once a month. They must also participate in liturgical blessings at Mass, retreats, rehearsals and of course the sacraments themselves.
 
All Catholic school children must attend the once a month “Families Celebrating Faith” as communal preparation for the sacraments, as well as liturgical blessings at Mass, retreats, rehearsals and of course the sacraments themselves. Weekly at home lessons will not be required of them as the children attend religion class at school.
 
If the child seeking Reconciliation and Eucharist was NOT baptized at St. Anthony’s, a copy of their baptism certificate must be submitted at registration.

Please note * Sacrament preparation does not take place in the school. It is a function of the greater Church, and the domestic church.

8th Grade Confirmation Preparation
Beginning in October, eighth graders will meet the 1st Wednesday of the month through May. 
Those who begin preparation in the fall of 2020 may be confirmed in the fall of 2021. 

What is Required: 

• Completion of both Faith Formation AND Confirmation Registration Forms (online or in hard copy form)Click the links to access Registration Forms.                            /faith-formation-registration

  /8th-grade-confirmation-registration

• Full participation in weekly Middle School Youth Group sessions as well as first Wednesday “Confirmation” class.

 

• Completion of all at home work; Service Lifestyle Paper, Prayers to Know, Sponsor Interview Form and Why I Want to be Confirmed or Not.

 

• Attendance at the Confirmation retreat in August of 2020. 

 

• Participation in rehearsal the week before Confirmation (along with sponsor).

 St. Anthony’s Catholic School children are not required to attend Wednesday night middle school youth group sessions, although, they are encouraged to do so. They MUST however attend all first Wednesday of the month “Confirmation” classes.
Because this is a sacramental preparation year, we are much stricter on participation and attendance.
If the child seeking Confirmation was NOT baptized at St. Anthony’s, and did NOT celebrate First Eucharist here at St Anthony’s, a copy of their baptism certificate must be submitted at registration.
Please note* Sacrament preparation does not take place in the school. It is a function of the Church.