Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 Atrium : (3-6 yr olds) Sacrament Preparation Family Faith Formation (K-6th Gr) Junior High school (7-8th Gr ) Adheres to the Forming Disciples Standards […]
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 Atrium : (3-6 yr olds)
- Determine if your FOP has a CGS level 1 Atrium
- Consider CGS LEVEL 1 Atrium for 3-6 year old children in your FOP
- Determine if your parish has designated space available for Atrium
- Determine if there are Catechists in your program interested in training
- Can commit to 90 hours of CGS Formation training
- Grant $ available to Catechists/ Religion teachers who successfully complete CGS Level 1 training (Application available)
- Consider the budget in preparing to purchase supplies for the Atrium (Cabinets, chairs, tables and works)
- Purchase supplies
Sacrament Preparation
- Occurs at the Parish Faith Formation program
- DRE obtains student rosters for sacrament prep from Catholic School Elementary/High School principals (FN/PDS)
- Catholic Elementary/High school principal sends sacrament prep letter of invitation to parents
- Make bulletin and website announcements that Sacrament Enrollment is open
- DRE follows up with Catholic school parents about enrolling child(ren) in parish sacrament prep program
- Request and gather Baptismal Certificates at enrollment; keep track of them throughout the enrollment and preparation periods.
Family Faith Formation (K-6th Gr)
- Identify parish sites who can accommodate family program
- Assess students environment/classroom space
- Consider if the space conducive to prayer and experiencing faith in a group setting
- Is space conducive to learning about the Faith
- Consider providing meals /snacks/ baked goods during the Family sessions
- Identify which parish has access to working kitchen
- Identify which parish has access to technology (projector/screen, smart board/smart TV
- Are there enough tables and chairs to accommodate this gathering
- Will you have guest speakers presenting to the parents/ adult
- Consider grouping children (K-1 Gr) (2-3 Gr) (4-6th Gr)
- Assess the number of catechists for each grade level
- Order books and/or purchase supplies
Junior High school (7-8th Gr )
Adheres to the Forming Disciples Standards
- Identify parish sites in FOP who can accommodate Junior High program
- Assess students environment: classroom/ gym/ small meeting rooms
- Consider if the space conducive to prayer and experiencing faith in a group setting
- Is space conducive to learning about the Faith
- Consider providing meals /snacks/ baked goods during the Family sessions
- Identify which parish has access to a working kitchen.
- Identify parishes with access to technology
- Identify parishes with outdoor greenspace
- Are there sufficient number of tables and chairs to accommodate this gathering
- Will guest speakers present to the parents/ adults/ students
- Assess the number of catechists /core members for each grade level
- Opportunities for mentoring with members from Faith Formation High schoolers
High School (9-12 Gr)
Adheres to the Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework , USCCB
- Identify parish sites in FOP who can accommodate High school Faith Formation program
- Assess students environment: classroom/ gym/ small meeting rooms
- Consider if the space conducive to prayer and experiencing faith in a group setting
- Is space conducive to learning about the Faith
- Consider providing meals /snacks/ baked goods during the Family sessions
- Identify parishes with access to technology
- Identify parishes with outdoor greenspace
- Identify which parish has access to a working kitchen.
- Are there sufficient number of tables and chairs to accommodate this gathering
- Will guest speakers present to the parents/ adults/ students
- Assess the number of catechists / core members for each grade level
- Opportunities for mentoring with members from Young Adult Ministry
Family Inclusive Catechesis / Specialized Catechesis
- Explore what is currently offered
- Identify FOP who currently offer a program for adaptive catechesis
- Review inclusive needs guidelines and consult with specialists in the field
- Develop both a Family Needs Survey and an Individualized Enrichment Form
- Meet with individual families
- Assign a coordinator to assist parishioners with inclusive needs and organize a program for adaptive catechesis at needed levels
Family Faith Orientation
Children who have been Baptized and have missed several years of catechesis, including the reception of First Reconciliation and First Communion
In the DOB, we have identified over 26,000 children who are registered at a parish, yet are neither attending Catholic school or religious education programs
- Acquire list of the families who are registered at your parish and identify the children (K-12th Grade)
- Identify families (PDS/Flocknote) who have not participated in Faith Formation and who are not registered in Catholic Schools
- Invite families to a social events or celebrations at the parish
- Invite and integrate new families into parish life
- Invitation to enroll in the Family Faith Orientation Program
- Please use approved RCL resource : Our Catholic Heritage /Post baptismal catechesis
- Family Faith Orientation should last 1-2 years in forming the family and should include Mass attendance, service, and integration into the life of the parish
- Students should have the opportunity to prepare for missed First Reconciliation and First Communion sacraments each year
- After 2 years of formation children and families are invited to participate in their respective formation year.