K - 12 FAITH FORMATION
2024-2025 REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT KELLIE THOMSON AT kellie@akseas.net
SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE TO FIND THE FULL SCHEDULE.
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), OCIC (formerly Children’s Catechumenate), and Confirmation classes.
Family-Centered Faith Formation includes the formation of all members of the family, children and adults.
Attendance at class meetings is essential for student formation in our Catholic faith and for parents/caregivers to be assisted with fulfilling their role as the primary catechists of their children. Programs that fall under this umbrella are:
Our Goal: Family-Centered Faith Formation
-Family of Faith: K-8 Formation
-First Reconciliation and First Communion Sacramental Preparation
-OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children, formerly Children’s Catechumenate) Sacramental Preparation
-Confirmation Sacramental Preparation
-Additional Youth Formation Options
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), OCIC (formerly Children’s Catechumenate), and Confirmation classes.
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!
If you are a Confirmed, practicing Catholic who feels called to share your 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!
2024-2025 FAMILY-CENTERED FAITH FORMATION OFFERINGS:
FAITH FORMATION:
We offer a family-centered/classroom-enhanced faith formation program for families with children in grades K-12. Our program is designed to provide parents/caregivers with mentorship and support in their role as the primary catechists of their households. To this end, it is essential that students and parents/caregivers attend their respective classes/meetings in order to promote the understanding and continual growth in faith of the entire family.
PARENT FAMILY OF FAITH AND ADULT FAITH FORMATION MEETINGS:
Parents/Caregivers are encouraged to attend all our twice-a-month adult meetings. One meeting will include Family of Faith small group discussions. These discussions will be facilitated by Family Guides (volunteer catechists) who are trained to support parents/caregivers in their desire and ability to immerse their family in faith at home and build their faith community within the parish. The Adult Faith Formation meetings will focus on a monthly topic that is central to our faith. Since parents/caregivers are the primary catechists of their households, our faith formation program is designed to support them in this critical role. These talks and discussions will reinforce family-centered faith and provide parents/ caregivers with the tools they need to have deeper faith discussions at home with their children.
ADDITIONAL YOUTH FAITH FORMATION OPTIONS:
Faith formation doesn’t end after Confirmation! These options are not a substitute for sacramental preparation, but are additional faith and fellowship opportunities for our youth.
-Middle School Youth Group (6th-8th grade) Mondays 7:00-8:30 p.m.
-High School Youth Group (9th-12th grade) Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 p.m.
-Knights of the Holy Queen (young men 7th-12 grade) Sundays 7:00-9:00 p.m.
-High School Faith Formation Volunteer opportunities for Confirmed teens (see website for additional information)
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION AND CLASSES:
In addition to students attending classes, it is essential that parents/caregivers attend the twice-a-month Family of Faith and Adult Faith Formation Meetings (scroll down to see full schedule).
*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 Formation to complete Level 1.
*OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children, formerly 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 OCIC Class.
PRE-Confirmation Class:
(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.)
Students in 9th, 10th, or 11th grades who have NOT yet completed our PRE-Confirmation Requirement. As a Family-Centered Faith Formation program, our focus is on the promotion of the faith in the home. Due to the curriculum and content that is presented in this class, we require that parents of PRE-Confirmation Students attend class with their child, rather than a separate parent meeting. The content and discussion that occurs in the classroom can then be organically transferred to the home where the primary catechesis of the children can occur.
Each PRE-Confirmation candidate and a parent must meet with Theresa Austin prior to accepted enrollment. Click HERE to sign up for a meeting time with Theresa.
Students preparing for Confirmation are required to attend all student classes and the PRE-Confirmation/Confirmation Retreat each year of preparation for the Sacrament.
The 2024 retreat will be held Aug 31-Sept 2. Click HERE to register for the retreat.
*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 in high school within the year that they will receive their Sacrament of Confirmation.
Each Confirmation candidate and a parent must meet with Theresa Austin prior to accepted enrollment. Click HERE to sign up for a meeting time with Theresa.
Students preparing for Confirmation are required to attend all student classes and the PRE-Confirmation/Confirmation Retreat each year of preparation for the Sacrament.
The 2024 retreat will be held Aug 31-Sept 2. Click HERE to register for the retreat.
*Sacramental Fee of $50 in addition to Faith Formation Registration Fee of $100 per family
2024-2025 FAITH FORMATION SCHEDULE
Family-Centered Faith Formation includes the formation of both parents/caregivers and students.
Attendance at class meetings is essential for student formation in our Catholic faith and for parents/caregivers to be assisted with fulfilling their role as the primary catechists of their children.
PARENT FAMILY OF FAITH AND ADULT FAITH FORMATION MEETINGS:
SCHEDULED SUNDAYS — 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Level 2 and OCIC Parents:
Informational First Reconciliation Parent/Caregiver meeting: Sept 22
Informational First Communion Parent/Caregiver meeting: Jan 26
Parents/Caregivers of all** Faith Formation students:
Oct 6, 13; Nov 3, 10; Dec 8, 15; Jan 12, 26; Feb 2, 23; March 2, 30; April 6, 13
**Due to the nature of the curriculum for PRE-Confirmation, parents/caregivers will attend the student classes with their PRE-Confirmation child.
STUDENT CLASSES:
SCHEDULED SUNDAYS — 10:00-11:15 a.m.
Level 2, OCIC, PRE-Confirmation, Confirmation:
Sept. 22, 29; Oct 6, 13, 20; Nov 3, 10, 17; Dec 8, 15; Jan 12, 19, 26; Feb 2, 9, 23; March 2, 23, 30; April 6, 13
All Faith Formation Students:
Oct 6, 13, 20; Nov 3, 10, 17; Dec 8, 15; Jan 12, 19, 26; Feb 2, 9, 23; March 2, 23, 30; April 6, 13
RETREAT DATES FOR PRE-CONFIRMATION/CONFIRMATION:
Saturday, Aug 31 - Monday, Sept 2 at St. Therese’s Camp in Wasilla
CELEBRATIONS:
First Reconciliation Service—Monday, Dec. 9, 7:00 p.m.
Easter Vigil—Saturday, March 19, 8:00 p.m.
First Communion at St. Elizabeth—April 26/27, at Our Lady of the Snows—April 27
Confirmation—Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 p.m.
Baccalaureate Mass — Sunday, May 18, 5:30 p.m.
For information on class availability or further questions please contact Kellie Thomson at kellie@akseas.net.
Registration is now closed.
Teen Alpha
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!
STAY TUNED FOR NEXT SESSION!
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!
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
