Family Faith Formation is a partnership between parents and the parish. It empowers the parents to be the primary educators of faith in their family. The journey towards embracing Family Faith Formation began last year, and this year we have made adjustments aimed at being a supportive resource for you and your family in your faith journey. This program is structured to educate and encourage conversation and connection between family members and the community.

(Registration link is at the bottom of this page -- please read this information first!)

In our continuing catechesis on the family, we reflect today on the connection between the family and the Christian community. The Church is the home of those who believe in Jesus Christ as the source of the unity of the entire human family. Christ chose to enter our history, to become part of a human family, and to form a community which welcomes all who wish to hear his good news of the Father’s love.”
– Pope Francis

Why Family Faith Formation?

According to various studies, the Church is losing a large number of members annually. About 80% are leaving the faith before they reach college-age, but the average age for disaffiliation is 13.

​Catholics often blame many of the Church's problems on poor catechesis. Although the quality level of various catechetical programs certainly varies from parish to parish, the reality is: Regular Mass attendance plus the typical weekly catechism class equals barely 1% of a person's life. That means that even during the school season, 99% of a child's experience is outside of parish catechesis. One percent of a child’s life can’t overcome the other ninety-nine. The goal of Family Faith is to assist families in fully integrating faith practices into their lives so we can be as close to acknowledging, recognizing, and praising God 100% of our lives.

​The Church’s expectation that parents act as catechists to their children might sound frightening or radical, but it is the reality that parents teach their children how to walk, talk, think, and behave just by being parents. Most lessons are "caught" more than they are "taught" because children learn from their parents simply by being around them. The same is true of living the faith! If parents skip Mass anytime it is inconvenient, that is the lesson their children will learn about the importance of Mass. If parents pray before meals, that is the life of prayer the children will learn. If parents spend time in Scripture and say a daily rosary, that is what the faith will look like to their children.

The focus is on giving parents tools to help them succeed at being the religious educators that they already are. For most families, high-level theological training is not as important as faithful practices, and Family Faith Formation can help with both. No single parish program or activity can meet the particular needs of all families. The goal of our Family Faith Formation is to offer as many opportunities for education and spiritual growth as possible.

2022-2023 Assumption & Resurrection
Family Faith Formation Program

Programs begin September 18, Catechetical Sunday.

Faith Formation Families (K-6) are expected to:

• Attend ONE Family Faith gathering each month
• Choose some other educational or spiritual experiences each month (from a list we provide)
• Attend weekend Mass regularly.

We will be using Sophia Institute's A Family of Faith Volume II: The Sacraments as the main text for family catechesis. Each family will receive one Parent's Guide and an Activity Book for each child. Parents will be instructed on how to use these materials at home.
From a monthly playlist, choose the in-person or at-home experiences that appeal to your family!

• Want to practice praying together as a family but need a little push? Come to Family Rosary night!
• Does your child enjoy books and reading? Choose Catholic Kids Book Club!
• Want to learn to crochet and/or knit and help those in need at the same time? Choose Youth Prayer Shawl Ministry for Grades 4 through adult.
• See our Current Calendar and Activity “Playlist” linked below for a description of the activities planned at this time.

All Families participating in Family Faith Formation should attend ONE of the following opening sessions:

9:30 am on Sunday, September 18
12:45 pm on Sunday, September 18
or 6:00 pm on Tuesday, September 20

Please attend the meeting time that fits best with your family's schedule.

Visit the Youth Ministry page HERE for grades 7-12.