CHURCH OF
Saint Mary
FAITH FORMAT Gears up for Exciting
W
hen it comes to building a strong faith for our youth, the family and our parishes are essential. Youth first learn about their faith in the family — what we often refer to as the “domestic church” — and the Faith Formation program for our parishes (St. Andrew’s, St. John’s, St. Michael’s, and St. Mary’s) is here to build on that foundation. As the new school year gets underway, there is excitement for the Faith Formation program, particularly for the chance to use the space in the new church. It’s even more exciting as there weren’t many opportunities for face-to-face meetings over the last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Juliann Heller, the volunteer
coordinator for the Faith Formation program, is in charge of lining up teachers and curriculum. “The family is the first place and the best place where children meet God,” Juliann says. Three years ago, the Faith Formation program transitioned from taking place after school to evenings. Parents and guardians were invited to start attending with their students. This will again be the way things are done this fall. Once a month on Wednesday nights starting in September, students and their parents or guardians will gather in the worship space. They will take part in a fun activity, pray, and then a guest speaker will give a talk on
the theme for the night. Then, the grade levels will divide into different spaces within the new space. Juliann is excited about what the coming year will bring. She knows families are busy, so she extends a special thanks to all for taking the time for Faith Formation. “We know that setting time aside on a Wednesday evening can be difficult,” she says. “I’d just like parents and guardians to know we are so blessed by your presence, every time you and your family are able to gather on Wednesdays with other families.” Switching the program to evenings tends to work better for students, who are often restless from being in school continued on page 7
Students gathered at Pine Villa to sing to the residents.
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