Faith Formation

Family Faith Formation (FFF)

Grades offered are age 3 & 4 yr. old Pre-K through 7th grade (Pre-K will be dependent on the number of children who sign up and catechist availability).

Parents engage with their children at home on grade-specific workbooks and materials and attend monthly Family Faith Formation in-person Sunday sessions (Oct.–April). Children attend grade-specific classes led by U of M student catechists, while parents attend adult formation sessions in Newman Hall.

FFF In-Person Sessions

There will be two session time options available for PreK (3 & 4 yr. old) through 7th grade (session preferences will be available on a first come first served basis).

Note: The Teen Confirmation program is separate from FFF and meets at different times and days — see the TC description below for more info.

All families will meet in Newman Hall at the start of their assigned session. Catechists will gather the children and go together as a group to their assigned classrooms while parents will remain in Newman Hall for a parent formation session. At the conclusion of class, children will be brought back to their parent(s) in Newman Hall. We have scheduled the two FFF sessions around the 10 am Mass for your convenience but encourage you to attend any Sat./Sun. weekly Mass time that works for you and your family.

First Reconciliation / First Communion Sacramental Prep

First Reconciliation/First Communion Sacramental Prep at SMSP is an at-home based program where parent(s) work together with their child(ren) to complete Sacramental Prep workbooks and activities as they learn about and cultivate their understanding, according to their capacity, of the mystery of the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Enrollment in First Rec./First Comm. Sacramental Prep includes but is not limited to^*:

• Attending the above-mentioned FFF in-person Sunday sessions
• Attending two additional parent/child Mini-Retreats
• Attending the 1st Reconciliation Service
• Attending the 1st Communion rehearsal and Mass
• Parents working with their child(ren) on their workbooks/materials at home and turning them in for review prior to receiving the sacraments

^*These are subject to change.

Teen Confirmation (TC)

Teen Confirmation (a separate program from the Family Faith program) is also an at-home based program where parents and teens work together on assignments and activities. In addition, the teens will meet in-person at SMSP (usually without parents), approximately two times per month (September – April). The TC Sunday sessions generally meet from 3:15 pm – 4:45 pm. There are some exceptions.

Enrollment in Teen Confirmation includes but is not limited to^**:

• Attending approximately two in-person sessions per month (September – April)
• Attending a day-long Confirmation retreat
• Selecting and spending time with a Confirmation Sponsor
• Attending the TC Reconciliation Service
• Attending the Confirmation Rehearsal and Mass
• Completing the TC workbook (and turning in the completed book prior to the end of the program)
• Completing additional assignments
• Completing the DOL assessment
• Completing 30 service/volunteer hours
• Completing a final Confirmation interview

^**These are subject to change.