K - 12 FAITH FORMATION

FAITH FORMATION REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TEEN ALPHA). Please email Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net with questions.

As a central priority at our parish, this includes not only K-12 student formation but also that of parents and caregivers as the primary catechists of their children.  Programs that fall under this umbrella are:

-Faith Journeys K-8 Formation

-First Reconciliation and First Communion Sacramental Preparation

-Children’s Catechumenate Sacramental Preparation

-Confirmation Sacramental Preparation

-High School Faith Formation

Our Goal: Family-Centered Faith Formation

We are always looking for Confirmed Catholic adults to serve as Catechists and small-group leaders. Even if you’re only available as an occasional substitute, we’d love to have you join our team! 


FEES:

Faith Formation Registration Fee: $100 per family.

*Sacramental Fee: +$50 additional fee for each child who is receiving a Sacrament within this school year. The $50 fee is required for students in:

Level 2 (First Reconciliation/First Communion), Children’s Catechumenate, and Confirmation classes.


WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

If you are a Confirmed practicing Catholic who feels called to share you love and knowledge of our faith, please prayerfully consider becoming a Faith Formation volunteer. We provide training, curriculum, students, and support. Please join our team!

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TEEN ALPHA). Please email Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net if you’d like to volunteer.


K - 12 FAMILY-CENTERED FAITH FORMATION OFFERINGS:

FAITH JOURNEYS

Faith Journeys is a family-centered program focused on providing families and caregivers personal mentorship and support. Faith Journeys is designed to help your family grow in faith together. If you find it supportive, your family will be matched with a volunteer Family Guide. You are encouraged to attend monthly scheduled parent gatherings to grow in the faith through community. At the same time, your children can attend in-class catechesis with trained, volunteer catechists who will help enhance your child’s understanding of our faith as they get to know friends within our parish family.  

Volunteer Family Guides will guide parents/caregivers through a family learning path and resources that will best support your family’s individual needs. The Faith Steps you walk with your family are designed to deepen your understanding of and live out your faith while offering your children motivation, accountability, and recognition for each step they take. Depending on volunteer availability, we will have a Nursery available during Parent Gatherings.

(Participation in Faith Journeys in 1st or 2nd grade fulfills the Level 1 requirement for Level 2 sacramental preparation).

Faith Journeys Parent Sundays = Parents of students registered in Kindergarten, Levels 1, 3, 4, 5, and Middle School (6, 7, 8) will meet for parent-focused catechesis on the following Sundays— 10-11 a.m.

Oct. 1, Nov. 5, Dec. 3, Jan. 14, Feb. 4, March 3, April 7

Faith Journeys Student Sundays = Students registered in Kindergarten, Levels 1, 3, 4, 5, and Middle School (6, 7, 8) will meet for class on the following Sundays— 10-11:15 a.m.

Oct. 1, 8, 15, Nov. 5, 12, Dec. 3, 10, 17 Jan. 14, 21, 28

Feb. 4, 11, 25, Mar. 3, 24, Apr. 7, 14

Contact Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net for more information.

Family-centered/classroom-enhanced faith formation for families with children in grades K-8.


SACRAMENTS

FIRST RECONCILIATION/FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION

Level 2 First Reconciliation/First Communion Class:

Includes 2nd and 3rd graders who have completed the Level 1 requirement, but have not yet made their Sacraments of First Reconciliation/First Communion. If your child is a 2nd grader but has not completed the Level 1 Faith Formation class prior to this year, he/she should register for “Faith Journeys” so that he/she receives a Level 1 foundation of our Catholic faith prior to registering next year in our Level 2 Class.

Sacramental Parent Sundays = Parents of students registered in Level 2 will meet for parent-focused catechesis on the following Sundays from 10-11 a.m.

Sept. 17, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 21, Feb. 25, March 24, April 14

Sacramental Student Sundays = Students registered in Level 2 will meet for class on the following Sundays from 10-11:15 a.m.

Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, Nov. 5, 12, Dec. 3, 10, 17, Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 25, March 3, 24, April 7, 14

Contact Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net for more information.

Children’s Catechumenate Class:

Students in 3rd grade or above who have NOT yet completed Level 1 and have not yet received First Reconciliation/First Communion may be placed in the Children’s Catechumenate Class.

Sacramental Parent Sundays = Parents of students registered in Level 2 will meet for parent-focused catechesis on the following Sundays from 10-11 a.m.

Sept. 17, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 21, Feb. 25, March 24, April 14

Sacramental Student Sundays = Students registered in Level 2 will meet for class on the following Sundays from 10-11:15 a.m.

Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, Nov. 5, 12, Dec. 3, 10, 17, Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 25, March 3, 24, April 7, 14

Contact Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net for more information.

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION

Following the guidelines of the Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau, our Confirmation preparation is a 2-year program. To enroll in our Confirmation Class, students are required to have completed our high school PRE-Confirmation Requirement and must be turning at least 16-years-old or be at least a sophomore within the academic year they will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

(PRE-Confirmation Requirement: The requirement to enter our Confirmation Class is met by completing our PRE-Confirmation Class or by being enrolled in an Archdiocese Catholic high school.)

 PRE-Confirmation Class:

Students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grades who have not completed our PRE-Confirmation Requirement. Students are required to attend all student classes and the PRE-Confirmation/Confirmation Retreat each year of preparation for the sacrament. Each PRE-Confirmation Candidate and a parent must meet with Theresa Austin prior to accepted enrollment.  A SignUp Genius link to meet with Theresa will be emailed to you once you have registered for class.

RETREAT DATES: September 2-4, 2023. To register for the PRE-Confirmation/Confirmation Retreat click HERE.

Sacramental Parent Sundays = Parents of students registered in Level 2 will meet for parent-focused catechesis on the following Sundays from 10-11 a.m.

Sept. 17, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 21, Feb. 25, March 24, April 14

Sacramental Student Sundays = Students registered in Level 2 will meet for class on the following Sundays from 10-11:15 a.m.

Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, Nov. 5, 12, Dec. 3, 10, 17, Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 25, March 3, 24, April 7, 14

Contact Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net for more information.

Confirmation Class:

Students in 10th, 11th, or 12th grades. To enroll in the Confirmation Class, students must have completed our PRE-Confirmation Class or be enrolled in an Archdiocese Catholic high school, and must be turning at least 16 years old or be at least a sophomore within the year that they will receive their Sacrament of Confirmation.

Students are required to attend all student classes and the PRE-Confirmation/Confirmation Retreat each year of preparation for the sacrament. Each Confirmation Candidate and a parent must meet with Theresa Austin prior to accepted enrollment.  A SignUp Genius link to meet with Theresa will be emailed to you once you have registered for class.

RETREAT DATES: September 2-4, 2023. To register for the PRE-Confirmation/Confirmation Retreat click HERE.

Sacramental Parent Sundays = Parents of students registered in Level 2 will meet for parent-focused catechesis on the following Sundays from 10-11 a.m.

Sept. 17, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 21, Feb. 25, March 24, April 14

Sacramental Student Sundays = Students registered in Level 2 will meet for class on the following Sundays from 10-11:15 a.m.

Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, 15, Nov. 5, 12, Dec. 3, 10, 17, Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 25, March 3, 24, April 7, 14

Contact Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net for more information.


HIGH SCHOOL FAITH FELLOWSHIP

This fellowship class is open to High School students who are interested in growing together in virtue and further exploring questions of faith.  Students will be led through a curriculum designed distinctly for separated male and female fellowship groups. The groups will meet on Sunday afternoons, outside of regular faith formation class time.  Group input will be used to develop meeting schedule.  

This class/discussion-based group is not a substitute for required Confirmation preparation, nor is having received the Sacrament of Confirmation a requirement to participate. This class will be offered if there proves to be enough interest from high schoolers and adult volunteer leaders through the registration process. More specific information will be provided in September to those who register.

Girl Genius Scripture Study

A study created specifically for teen girls. God’s love for us is relentless, and He calls us to a life of purpose. This three-part series “Opening your Heart” includes lessons based on Scripture readings, reflections, and intentional prayer time. You'll hear Saint stories, set personal resolutions and goals, and share prayer intentions. Our Girl Genius series will build your knowledge of Scripture, meditation, and prayer, and help you journey to deeper friendships and fruitful truths. Contact Camille Rzeszut with questions at 907-223-9440.


Teen Alpha

STARTS JANUARY 14, 2024

DURING REGULAR K-12 FAITH FORMATION DAYS AND TIMES

SUNDAYS from 10:00 - 11:15a

Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 25, Mar. 3, 24, Apr. 7, 14

Teen Alpha’s open and friendly, home-based group meetings begin with great food, accompanied by videos, learning materials, and discussion led by a trained volunteer. Come to a better understanding of Christ’s love for you and ask questions without judgment.  Walk along with others who share your questions - you are not alone!

While this series is not a substitute for Sacramental preparation through our parish Faith Formation program, it can be a great stepping stone for entering those classes.

Email Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net with questions or to register!

FAITH FORMATION REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TEEN ALPHA). Please email Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net with questions.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. -Romans 15:4