Youth Faith Formation

Our program this year will be a mostly digital, home-based version of Faith Formation for students in Grades 1-8. We will still plan to gather monthly, as long as state and Archdiocesan regulations allow it, for a family series on Prayer. These sessions will be recorded for those who choose not to gather in public at this time. We are still working out these details so there will be more information on the dates of the talks in an upcoming email.
 
We view this unprecedented time as an opportunity for each family to grow together in faith. The most important factor in children continuing their faith through young adulthood is having a parent/family member that has a positive view of the faith who exhibits that faith in all aspects of their life. Although these activities are geared towards children, I think there is something that all of us can learn from them. This is not just another lesson to be completed by children at home, but a way to weave their faith formation into the fabric of family life. 
 
This year’s program for Grades 1 and 3-8 will use each Sunday’s Gospel reading as a starting point for exploring different aspects of our Catholic faith. Each family will receive a Bible and a YouCat (Youth Catechism) to supplement the weekly toolkit. These supplements are geared towards young people, emphasizing the meaning of the original biblical text rather than a word-for-word translation. By breaking down these activities into small pieces of our everyday lives, we hope that this helps make it feel less overwhelming, since they are being done little by little each week. 
 
Grade 2 students will use Blessed, Dynamic Catholic’s First Reconciliation and First Communion Prep program. Each family will receive a student workbook and leader guide as well as access to a host of videos that help the students engage with the lessons and apply them to their own lives.
 
Confirmation Prep students in Grades 9 and 10 will continue to use Decision Point from Dynamic Catholic. These students will meet once per month via videoconference (or possibly in person outside at St. Joseph’s if the weather cooperates) with catechists to discuss one of the Sessions from the program.
 
What are the Benefits of a digital program?
 
1.    Families are able to work around their own schedules
2.    Families are able to work from home to ensure safety
3.    Takes the pressure off of families currently balancing work/homeschool
4.    We offer a well thought-out, family-friendly program designed with ‘you’ in mind by our own Archdiocese of Boston
5.    100% support from our Faith Formation Team
 
In order to help all parents get used to these changes, we will be asking catechists to lead small support groups for parents. These videoconference sessions could be an opportunity for the catechist to share ways that they have implemented the resources within their own family. The sessions could also be an opportunity to form a community where parents can help each other as we all try to adapt to our current circumstances, relying on our faith to guide us forward. 
 
Material distribution will take place in early October via curbside pickup in the parking lot of our Collaborative office at Saint Joseph Parish.

We look forward to working with you this year on our new program!