St. Mary's Generations of Faith Program

What is Generations of Faith | New Information for 2008-2009

Download a 2008-2009 Registration Form

Generations of Faith is our once a month, intergenerational faith formation program (religious education). This is the one event for everyone - all at the same time. As a community of faith, we will gather for an education and formational experience. This event will have different theme or topic each month that will be related to the liturgical season we are celebrating. The liturgical year of our Church will dictate the curriculum. Generations of Faith will help prepare us to celebrate the mysteries of our faith more fully and with more understanding and appreciation.

Below is a summary of what a typical Generations of Faith Formation Event will be like.

	Participants arrive a Generations of Faith, sign-in, and pick up materials.
	Together we celebrate an opening prayer, centering on our topic for the evening. This is followed by an introduction to the topic of the evening.
	We share at our table group the reflection questions that introduce the topic to be discussed. An important part of growing faith is realizing how our own life experiences have been or should be shaped by the faith we profess.
	We split into age-based groups to learn more about the topic in an age appropriate way. Sinces each learner is different, multiple activities will generally be offered at each session with a lead catechist and support catechists facilitating the process.
	We gather together again to share what we have learned in our small groups, thereby learning even more from each other. We then walk through our Home Kits which will continue the topic throughout the rest of the month and into our daily lives.
	We close with a closing prayer of praise and thanksgiving in celebration of what we have learned together and what we as Catholic Chrisitans have committed to do throughout the month in our daily live.

Generations of Faith - NEW for 2008-2009

We are making a few changes to our program. Based on the responses of the evaluations, these were the changes most suggested. It should be noted that many of these changes require that we have more participation in leadership roles, so please be sure to look at the Volunteer Opportunities and sign up to help if possible. Another way to help is to invite others to volunteer. If you know someone who would be good at one of the volunteer positions, please take the responsibility to invite them to participate. Together, we will be able to reach more people.

Here are the changes for next year. . .

1. We are switching from a two hour time frame to 1 hour/45 minutes. The new times offered will be:

Sundays, 3:15 - 5:00 pm | Sundays, 6:00 - 7:45 pm | Mondays, 6:30 - 8:15 pm

2. The Monday time change is to accomodate people getting home from work, having dinner, and arriving on time for the session.

3. A separate breakout session for High School age students will only occur at the Sunday evening session. All High School age students at other sessions will remain with the adults or they can help with the younger children's breakout.

4. A separate breakout session for Middle School age student will occur at both Sunday sessions, but not at the Monday night session. Those Middle School age students attending Monday night will remain with the adults or help with the younger children's breakout.

5. A new 3-4 year old program will be offered at the Sunday afternoon (3:15 - 5:00 pm) session. Children of this age will be dropped off directly to the classroom and will return when the breakout session ends.

6. The children's breakout groups will be divided into smaller groups by grade, instead of one large group.

7. Adults will now have the opportunity to participate in smaller groups, based on different topics. These smaller groups will remain together for the year, studying the theme chosen. We will still bring in a guest speaker two or three times during the year for the adults.

8. Dinner will continue to be offered on Sundays, 5:00 - 6:00 pm.

9. A parent guidebook is being developed to help better understand the process as well as provide some guidance for the "at home" work and activities.

10. Registration fee has been lowered. We will charge a flat $50 program fee per household. Textbooks for children and youth will be extra.