Family Faith Formation - Grades 1-6

Components of Family Faith Formation

• SESSIONS - Families meet once a month to explore faith topics.  Families will be given resources to discuss these topics at home with their children and complete age-appropriate activities.  At the next Families Living Faith session, children will review these activities with their catechist.

• EXPLORE FOUR ACTIVITIES - Each month families will participate in Life of the Parish events called "Explore Four" activities.  These events support faith formation in the four areas (hence the name) of Creed, Sacraments/Worship, Christian prayer, and Christian living.  Almost any event that is held at St. Vincent's can be an Explore Four activity.  An Explore Four Reflection Form should be completed for each activity.  These forms serve to guide family discussions regarding the event as well as facilitate adult discussions at the monthly sessions.
  
  A Few Examples of Explore Four Activities
  VincentFest 
  Merge Nights for Grade 5 & 6
  Family Faith Formation Help Sessions
  Christ Renews His Parish Weekend
  Stations of the Cross
  Reconciliation Services
  WINGS
  Sacramental Prep Meetings
  REfuel Night of Light
  Mardi Gras Party

• MASS REFLECTIONS - In addition, families will complete a Mass Reflection one time per month (more if desired).  The form helps parents walk through the Mass with their children creating the opportunity for fruitful discussion and faith sharing.  

• FAMILIES LIVING THE GOSPEL CHALLENGE - Families are also encouraged to participate in the Families Living the Gospel (service activity).  Families participating in a Families Living the Gospel service activity can submit reflection forms which will be entered into a drawing.  A prize will be awarded at the end of each semester.  Forms for the Families Living the Gospel can also be submitted online or printed and turned in at the Families Living Faith sessions. 

Session Times

Families Living Faith will be offered once per month on Sundays from 3:00 to 4:30 PM or on Wednesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Families sign up for a session time and attend that session time throughout the year. If your child was enrolled in the Family Faith Formation program last year, they will automatically be enrolled and advanced to the next grade level for the coming school year.  If you wish to switch the day your family attends the Families Living Faith sessions, please contact Laurie Ciocca in the Family Faith Formation Office at 260-489-3537 ext. 235.  If you are new to St. Vincent's, or you have a first grade child who has not attended Religious Education you may register here.

Procedures

Parents and children will arrive at St. Vincent Church no earlier than 10 minutes prior to the beginning of their assigned session.  (Sundays 3:00 to 4:30, Wednesdays 6:00 to 7:30)  During this time, children will sit with their parents in the church.  We will begin the session with an introduction, and opening song.  Students will then be dismissed with their catechist and walk to the school for grade-level instruction.  Adults will walk to the Life Center for the adult session.   At the end of the adult session, parents and students will join together in the Life Center or Church for a closing prayer and blessing. 

Nanny Rooms

Nanny rooms provide babysitting for children (infants through age five) offered at all FLF sessions, provided enough volunteers come forward to make this ministry possible.  Availability at each FLF session is limited due to space.  

• Children must be registered for the babysitting program.  

• Walk-ins will be accepted if space is available.  A permission form must be completed before the child is accepted. Paper forms will be available at the time of check-in.

• We will make every effort to honor your request, but placements are made in the order that registrations are received.  When you complete a registration form, you can assume your child is registered for the Nanny Room unless you are notified otherwise.   

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION (Grades 1 & 2)