The Faith Formation program is comprised of dedicated individuals who provide a warm nurturing environment along with a quality education. Our goal is to assist parents, the primary catechists of their children as they live out their Catholic faith. We know that in today’s society life is demanding. As a result, we try to work with individual families to help meet their needs and give support in a Catholic Christian Community. Working together we can all help our children to become people of faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ and active members of our faith community.
1st – 6th Grade
Grades 1-5:
- Tuesday: 4:30–5:30 pm
- Wednesday: 4:30–5:30 & 6:30–7:30 pm
Grade 6:
- Tuesday: 7:00–8:00 pm
For those who cannot fit into the regularly scheduled classes, we offer a home school program.
Parents choose the day they wish their child to attend. We accommodate these choices on a first come first served basis. The registration process begins in March and classes begin in September.
Students in Grade 2 are prepared to celebrate their First Reconciliation which takes place in March.
Students in Grade 3 are prepared to receive their First Holy Communion which takes place in May.
For more information please contact our Faith Formation office at 668-8370 ext 502 or email: spareled@spaparish.org
Junior High and Senior High
CLASS OPTIONS – Students can choose to attend the Fall/Winter Program which takes place from September – December or the Winter/Spring Session from January – March.
Home Study – Students in the home study program are to be taught by their parents, materials and lesson plans will be given. At the end of the session students must bring their completed material and meet with Sharon Pikul.
7th & 8th Grade – Through the use of icebreakers, lectures, discussions, group activities, and journal writing the students are introduced to a balance between direct contact with the Bible and translating it to our everyday life. Students are required to complete service projects for our faith community. Community service projects include helping at retreats for sacramental preparation in the elementary level, Children’s Halloween party, Shadow Stations of the Cross, Lazarus Soup Meal, and various parish events throughout the year.
Classes are held on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00 pm from September to December for the Fall Session and January to April for the Winter Session.
Grades 9 & 10 meet twice a month on Thursdays, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm from October – March. (9th grade meets first and third Thursday; 10th grade meets the second and fourth Thursday.) Students must attend 10 classes per year. Tenth graders attend a retreat and Ninth and Tenth graders complete a community service project.
The Faith Formation office must be notified of all changes the student has to make.
For more information please contact our Faith Formation office at 668-8370 ext 502 or email: spareled@spaparish.org
Sacrament of Confirmation
Students must have completed nine years of Religious Education to be eligible to enter the Confirmation Formation Program.
- Students must participate in the weekend celebration of the Liturgy.
- Students must attend 20 sessions over the course of 2 years, complete a personal project, and participate in a Confirmation retreat. Students are not confirmed by grade, but when all requirements have been fulfilled.
For our program, we use the Dynamic Catholic Program, Decision Point for 9th and 10th Graders.
For more information please contact our Faith Formation office at 668-8370 ext 502 or email: spareled@spaparish.org
Adult Faith Enrichment
Our goal is to help our adult parishioners gain a deeper appreciation and greater understanding of our Catholic faith. This committee is always looking for additional enthusiastic parishioners to help enhance the prayer life of St. Philip the Apostle Church.
We have compiled several worthwhile websites that you may use at your convenience. You’ll be on the computer, smartphone or iPad sometime during the day.
www.catholiccompany.com daily morning offering and short meditation.
www.loyolapress.com/3-Minute-Retreat short scripture passage and reflection.
www.goodgroundpress.com online daily reflections, downloadable Lenten booklet.
www.livingfaith.com/ reflections on the Gospel, meditations.
www.RedeemOnLine.com excellent short presentations on faith (great for young people).
Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) – Becoming a Catholic
How Does One Become Catholic?
If one is born into a Catholic family which practices the faith—attends weekly Mass, receives religious education and the sacraments—the process develops gradually over time.
Some come into full communion with the Catholic Church as adults. They may have received religious instructions in another Christian tradition. For whatever reason, they chose the Catholic Faith for themselves.
Some who have never been baptized or received any religious formation come seeking the Catholic Faith. They will have gone through a lengthier process of learning about the faith. This would have entailed opening up the Scriptures, learning the Catholic tradition and having a faith-sharing experience with the Catholic community through prayer and service.
RCIA, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, is a process which prepares adults for full membership into the Catholic Church. Each individual’s circumstances are taken into consideration. During the process various rituals will be celebrated in the presence of the community.
St. Philip’s currently does not have an active RCIA program, but we are happy to assist you in your journey to find a program within our Family of Parishes that works best for you!