Faith Formation and Education



Faith Formation provides parish members with sacramental preparation and opportunities for life-long spiritual growth and education as disciples of Jesus Christ. The Directors of Faith Formation plan and implement all aspects of faith formation from the earliest years to our older years. Our director of elementary & adult faith formation is Jennifer Lehrman, 599-5031 x110. Our director of middle and high school faith formation and youth groups and young adult group is Terrie Hernandez, 599-5031 x111. 


  • To Register for Faith Formation/Youth Group, click here
  • To view the Faith Formation/Youth Group 2023-24 Calendar, click here

If you have questions, please contact

Jennifer at jenniferk@stfanciscs.org or call the office, 599-5031 x110.



Elementary Faith Formation:

For children ages four through the fifth grade. Children are taught in a traditional classroom setting or home-study program. Emphasis is on basic foundations of our faith and Sacred Scripture. Contact  Jennifer Lehrman ,599-5031 x110, for more information.


Youth Faith Formation:

For youth in grades 6-12. The aim is to foster growth and continued deeper understanding of the Catholic faith through various aspects of formation, including the spiritual, intellectual and social. Emphasis is on the study and discussion of Sacred Scripture, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and church doctrine. Contact Terrie Hernandez, 599-5031 x111, for more information.


Middle School and High School Youth Groups::

Middle School and High School youth have the opportunity to grow in understanding what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The lessons will help establish a strong youth community while providing a mixture of Catholic catechesis and service. Parents may wonder if, in any of these programs, their teens will learn all the doctrine they need in order to understand their Catholic faith. NO teen can acquire an understanding of faith that is adequate for a Catholic adult. Ongoing adult catechesis is necessary for such an understanding. However, youth do need to know Catholic doctrine so they can begin to understand its tradition. Remember, any formal religious formation program can only supplement and support what is being taught at home. Contact Terrie Hernandez, 599-5031 x111, for more information


Young Adult Ministry:

For young adults 18-35. The aim is to offer a multi-faceted and inclusive outreach, pastoral care and programs to help connect young adults to God, the Church community and to a peer community which offers mutual support and the nurturing of faith. Text "Young Adult" to 84576 or send an email to cscatholicyam@gmail.com, or contact Terrie Hernandez, 599-5031 x111 for more information.





R.C.I.C. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children): A program for children/youth over seven who wish to be baptized. Contact Jennifer Lehrman, 599-5031 x110, for more information.


R.C.I.A. (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults): A spiritual journey for those 18 and older who have not been baptized, or who have been baptized in another denomination and desire full participation in the Catholic Church. Regular gatherings are held to share God's Word, experience prayer and reflection, provide service, and learn about the Catholic faith. Contact Jennifer Lehrman, 599-5031 x110 for more information.


Adult Faith Formation: Bible Studies and other programs are held throughout the year allowing for continued growth in the knowledge and love of our Catholic faith. For a list of ongoing Adult Faith Formation Offerings, contact Jennifer Lehrman at 599-5031 x110.


Adult Confirmation: These classes are for actively participating Catholic adults, 21 years of age or older, who have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance, and Eucharist. These classes generally begin during the Easter Season and last for eight weeks. Adult Confirmation usually takes place at St. Mary's Cathedral with the Bishop. Contact Jennifer Lehrman, 599-5031 x110, for more information.


Welcome Back: This program is offered for those who have been away from the Catholic Church. It is designed to help people return to the sacraments and to regular church attendance. It provides an opportunity for people to ask questions about their faith and to learn about changes in the Church. These five-week sessions are offered in January and again after Easter. Contact Jennifer Lehrman, 599-5031 x110, for more information.


Grieving with Great Hope:

This five week program during Lent is designed to help those grieving the loss of a loved one (no matter how long ago that may have been) through Scripture, prayer, and informative discussions based

on our Catholic faith. Dates and times of the sessions will be set once it is determined if there are enough participants to offer the program this Lent. For questions or to register for the sessions, contact Jennifer Lehrman at 599-5031 x110.


Natural Family Planning (NFP): NFP is a scientifically-proven method that uses an awareness of women's fertility to either achieve or postpone pregnancy. It is all-natural, Church approved, and 99% effective in postponing pregnancy when used correctly. Classes are online and open to all couples. For more information, visit ccli.org, or click here.


Affiliated Program: Women's Story: This program, sponsored by Women Partnering and the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, offers programs for women to share their experiences, hopes and spiritual journeys. The programs: Mini-Retreats, Woman Story Gathering and Spiritual Mentoring provide opportunities for prayer, such as rituals, reflections, sharing, storytelling and networking. The Spiritual Mentoring Program provides a one-to-one relationship with a woman who wishes to be supported in her faith journey for a set period of time. Contact Sr. Marilyn Uhling, 955-3782, for more information.


The Spiritual Works of Mercy

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Convert the sinners

It is an act of love to try to make another realize how bad sin is. This might be done by trying to keep him out of sin or an occasion of sin, or by trying to get him to confession. In cases where we think it might make him worse, we do not correct him directly. We can let him know indirectly, especially by our example, that we do not approve of his actions. 


Instruct the ignorant

It in an act of love to help others in one way or another to learn the truths they need to know to save their souls.


Counsel the doubtful

It is an act of love to help others to be certain about what they should do to love and serve God. Many souls could be saved if Catholics would make the effort to speak the truth in love to their neighbors.


Comfort the sorrowful

It is an act of love to help another person in any kind of sorrow, and to refrain from doing anything that would unnecessarily cause another person more sorrow.


Bear wrongs patiently

It is an act of love to accept the consequences of another’s thoughtlessness or carelessness and to suffer inconveniences which another should bear. This is the example given to us by Jesus who suffered greatly for us all when he was innocent.


Forgive offenses willingly

It is an act of deep love to forgive all those who have injured us in any way, even deliberately and with malice. Christ demands that His followers have great love and forgiveness for one another and even for our enemies in imitation of His own forgiveness of us and of His enemies as He hung on the cross. In His almighty wisdom, God knows that failing to forgive causes further injury to the person originally injured.


Pray for the living and the dead

Sharing in the communion of saints demands that we pray for everyone. This is a great means of spreading the fires of love to others, whether in this world or in purgatory. Prayers for the dead at a cemetery carry special graces.


Corporal Works of Mercy

Feed the hungry

Everyone needs food for their body. It is an act of love to help others to obtain their bodily nourishment, especially those in greatest need.

Examples:

Bringing food to the poor

Donating money to buy food for the poor

Sharing your food or candy

Helping to shop for groceries

Helping with the cooking

Doing dishes

Waiting on company


Give drink to the thirsty

What is said of food also applies to drink.

Examples:

Giving someone a drink on a hot day

Giving the baby its bottle

Pouring drinks at the table

Lifting up a young child to get a drink at a water fountain


Clothe the Naked

Everyone needs clothing for warmth, protection, modesty and dignity. It is an act of love to help others obtain clothing, especially those who need help.

Examples:

Bringing clothes to a needy family

Sharing outgrown clothes with another family

Bringing clothes to a clothing drive

Helping a young child get dressed

Helping with laundry at home


Visit the imprisoned

Those in prison and many other persons and their families suffer hindrances or dangers to freedom. Helping them, visiting them or protecting them

is an act of love.

Examples:

Visiting prisoners

Fighting for humane treatment for the imprisoned

Helping to care for the families of the imprisoned

Protecting a little child from a bigger child

Taking care of and protecting the baby

Fighting for one’s country


Shelter the homeless

Everyone needs shelter. Some people live in cardboard homes; some people live in homes made of discarded materials; many people are homeless. To

help the homeless obtain shelter or to preserve it is an act of love.

Examples:

Bringing others to your home in times of fire, floods, or other disaster

Working at or supporting a homeless shelter

Helping to take care of the house

Dusting the furniture

Making the beds

Cleaning the floor

Cutting the grass


Visit the sick

Helping sick people in any way is an act of love.

Examples:

Visiting someone in the hospital or nursing home

Visiting someone who is sick at home or the elderly who are shut-ins

Running an errand for an elderly or sick person

Reading to the sick or elderly


Bury the dead

It is an act of love to show respect for the bodies of the dead, since during life, they were temples of the Holy Spirit and received the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion.

Examples:

Going to funerals and wakes

Treating cemeteries with respect

Cutting the grass on a grave

Putting flowers on it