Eastside Pastoral Region

Family of Faith is created for ALL Catholic families with children up to the 8th grade. It is not limited to only those families who are seeking sacramental preparation or for families who attend public school. All families, including those who send to Catholic Grade School are encouraged (and expected) to participate in this family-based faith formation. The goal is to equip the parents to be successful in their roles as primary catechists of their children. This goal reaches all Catholic families, not just those who attend public school.

Since the current faith formation and religious education model is struggling to transform family life, and since many young people who go through faith formation are leaving the faith, we are proposing a new model (which is actually an ancient model) where the parish focuses on catechizing the parents in order to strengthen parent/child engagement in the Faith. This increases the likelihood that a child will receive an authentic education in the Faith and develop into a knowledgeable and practicing Catholic. Countless studies have shown that parental engagement with the child is the single most effective way to develop young people into disciples of Christ.

A Family of Faith is completely turn-key for parents, giving you the easy-to-understand content and step-by-step instructions for each activity, helping you to gain knowledge of the Faith and confidence as you teach it. Various tools are also available to help parents turn potentially problematic situations into successes, such as what to do when a child asks a question you do not know.

No. There are two lessons to teach each month, one of which is taught by a certified catechist at the monthly meeting. The second lesson is taught by the parent at home.  In addition, there is a variety of family and child activities. Each lesson should take no more than 30-45 minutes to complete, and requires minimal preparation on the part of the parent. 

Because this program focuses on teaching the faith to parents and helping them make it an organic part of family life, it is perfect for parents with children of all ages. For example, a monthly feature called “Your Catholic Home” gives specific advice for ways to make the Faith a regular part of each day. The Children’s Activity Books are recommended for children in grades K-8, and features engaging activities at various grade levels. Parents can skip the activities they believe are too elementary or too advanced for their child.

No. Although readings and written activities are offered, the Children’s Activity Book and Parent's Guide offer a wide variety of activities using numerous strategies to impart and assess knowledge that do not rely on reading or writing.

First, we encourage all families to attend Mass together and then attend Donut Sunday at St. Cecilia right after the 10 AM Mass (about 11:15 AM). After spending some time with other friends and families of the parish, at 11:45 AM, the children will go to their designated classrooms and the parents will go to their meeting space. While the certified catechists are teaching the 1st montly lesson to your children, the parent will be participating in the parent lesson. During the parent lesson, parents are given the resources, knowledge, and understanding of the lessons/activities that they will be teaching their families at home for the rest of the Month.

You will undoubtedly see your children learn as they memorize Scripture verses and are able to define key words of our Catholic Faith. Children will demonstrate in conversations their understanding of concepts of the Faith, and you’ll see them begin to live their Faith through an enriched prayer life and a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ. The child’s desire to know, love, and serve Jesus is proof that they are learning and becoming a disciple of Christ.