Faith Formation

Here at St. Mary Help of Christians it is our goal to assist parents as they form their children in the Catholic Faith. Recognizing that parents are the first and most important teachers in a child’s life, we strive to enrich the learning experience that begins at home. Children learn what they live. Our program seeks to give the children classroom instruction and help them to apply these principles to their everyday life; including liturgy and service.

Faith Formaton Registration Form 2016

Our program includes:

Sundays –

Liturgy of the Word for Children – Sundays in October-April as part of the 10:00 a.m. Mass for children ages 4-6. (This DOES NOT replace classroom instruction for 1st graders.)

Wednesdays –

Schedule for Faith Formation 2016

1st-6th graders meets on Wednesday nights from 6:15-7:20 p.m. on Wednesday nights from Sept. through April.

7th & 8th graders meet on Wednesday nights from 7:25-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights from Sept. through April.

Our Confirmation Program is a two year program generally beginning in the 9th grade. 1st year students meet from 7:25-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights from Sept. through April.

2nd year Confirmation students meet in the homes of the catechists about twice a month for 2 ½ hours, from Sept. through Confirmation Day. (In the spring of that school year.)

There is also a Service component in grades 8-10. Students are expected to complete service projects as part of our program to give them hands on experiences of serving, as Christ calls us to do, within the parish and in the greater community.

Important Dates –

September 14th, 2016 – Faith Formation Begins for Grades 1-8

September 20th, 2016 – 6:30pm – Parent Reconciliation Meeting (Parents of ALL Second Graders)

November 19th, 2016 – 9:30 a.m. Retreat and First Reconciliation

January 3, 2017 – 6:30pm – Parent First Eucharist Meeting (Parents of ALL Second Graders)

January 29, 2017 – Confirmation Retreat

April 30, 2017 –  Confirmation Sending Forth Mass– All students being Confirmed, May 7, 2017, parents and sponsors 10:00 a.m. Mass 

May 1, 2017 – 7:00pm  Confirmation Practice at St. Mary’s Cathedral downtown St. Cloud

May 7, 2017 – Confirmation  at St. Mary’s Cathedral downtown St. Cloud (students arrive 6:00)

May 2nd, 2017 – 1st Eucharist Mass, Retreat & Rehearsal 6:00p.m.

May 6th & 7th, 2017 – First Eucharist (sign-up will be at January 2017 meeting)