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The first catechists in any child’s life are the family members with whom he or she lives. What happens at home – both positive and negative – provides lessons for life. In the family, faith is shared as part of the unfolding of daily life. The home or “domestic church” provides a real place in which a child learns to live his or her faith as well as understanding it.
Our goal is to create a program of lifelong faith formation that is centered in and flows out of the events of Church life. Through the evangelizing community active discipleship is promoted by way of sharing knowledge of the faith, prayer and worship, moral formation, and service. Our Pastorate seeks to foster full and active participation by our young people in Sunday prayer and worship, in turn strengthened and nourished by the Eucharist to “go out” and live a Christian life of love and service in the world. We offer Faith Formation programs that strive to meet the needs of families that catechizes in a way that also promotes faith growth at home and participation in Church life.
Faith Formation for K-8th Grade
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are reworking our Faith Formation programs to reflect our commitment to the health and safety of our students and catechists. Therefore all our religious education programs for grades K through 8 will be Home Study Family Faith Formation.
Family Faith Formation is home study where parents receive materials to teach their children in their own home. This year we are using Pflaum's Gospel Weekly program where lessons are centered in the Gospel that is read in masses that week. Materials will be distributed to families and the parents and the children will work through the lessons together throughout the week. Catechists will check in with students and be available for assistance and support.
In addition, we will offer monthly activities in the areas of Prayer, Liturgy and Service that families can participate in, in-person or remotely.
We will return to our regular programming when it is safe to do so.
Middle School Faith Formation (EDGE)
Due to its interactive model, our EDGE program for 7th and 8th grade is suspended for the 2020-2021 school year. Instead, 7th and 8th graders will participate in the Home Study model. 7th and 8th graders will also participate in assigned masses as a group. As Covid restrictions ease, we will schedule social and service opportunites to gather and reconnect with one another as a faith community. Note: enrollment in an 8th grade catechetical program is a requirement for beginning Confirmation preparation in the 9th grade.
High School Youth Ministry
Youth Ministry offers fun, innovative opportunities for spiritual growth and development. Events are geared toward service, discussion, catechesis and community building. Youth ministry events are open to all high school students of the parish. The expected outcome of participation in youth ministry events are a better sense of living as a Christian in the world and an understanding of what it means to be in the Church. Offerings for this school year will be dependent on current Covid restrictions as mandated by the Archdiocese of Baltimore and common sense.
Child and Youth Protection
Our Pastorate, along with the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the entire Church strive to produce a healthy and nurturing environment for children and youth. We are dedicated to making sure our church is a safe environment for them. Virtus is a process by which we promote healthy ministry by seeking to engage competent qualified volunteers and employees. To protect children and youth, volunteers and employees are screened for their fitness to work with minors. Please visit www.virtus.org to learn more and complete the screening.
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