CFF & YOUTH MINISTRY 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR PLAN
We appreciate your patience as continue to ensure the safety of our youth families while assisting you on your faith journey from afar. We continue to follow and observe updates and changes regarding health and safety restrictions and guidelines. Following directives put forth by the Diocese and in compliance with health restrictions, Catholic Faith Formation and Youth Ministry will follow a Home School model for the fall consisting of:
● A monthly gathering for CFF & YM at the beginning of each month to meet your child’s catechist and pick-up his/her monthly CFF/YM packet while keeping with all social distancing guidelines. Packets for each student are to be completed at home and returned at the next monthly gathering.
● A 30-minute, semimonthly online gathering hosted by each catechist for his/her respective class.
● For individual class information and Zoom times, please see your registration packet, or view details online.
● St. Anthony Youth Ministry weekly online gatherings will continue. Junior High and High School Ministry have been gathering online 2-3 times a week since March 2020. Online gatherings include Sunday Evening Prayer and Youth Nights.
● We will continue to evaluate our program throughout the fall while following the newest and latest health restrictions and guidelines. We hope to return to classes in person in January 2021 but will continue to update you as we go. Please stay updated and check communications from the CFF & YM Office via email and the weekly bulletin.
Along with Fr. Mitch and our parish staff, thank you for your understanding during this time. The safety, health, and well-being of our CFF families, catechists, and overall parish community continue to be our top priority as we move forward. Thank you for your patience as we continue to work to ensure the spiritual health of our youth, families and volunteers. Please continue to pray and keep hope and faith for an end to this pandemic. Ms. Linda and I continue to pray for each of you and that joyful day we can gather and celebrate together again.
We are here to assist you and your family. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
Class Descriptions:
Preschool/Kindergarten —. Ages 3- through Kindergarten level.
Pre-Sacrament Year I — First graders and Second graders under the age of 8 who have had no previous religious instruction.
* Please Note: Consistent class and Sunday Mass attendance is essential for promotion to the next class level!
Pre-Sacrament Year II — Second graders and Third graders who successfully completed the Beginning Year I program in 2020.
* Please Note: Consistent class and Sunday Mass attendance is essential for promotion to the next class level!
First Reconciliation / First Holy Eucharist – Third and Fourth graders who successfully completed the Beginning Year II program in 2020 and current Fourth and Fifth Graders who successfully completed the Basic Inquiry Class in 2020
*Please see Requirements for Receiving Sacraments page to understand preparation requirements.
Post-Sacrament I — 4th and 5th Graders who celebrated Reconciliation & Eucharist in 2020
Post-Sacrament II — 5th and 6th Graders who successfully completed Post-Sacrament I in 2020
Pre-Confirmation — 6th Graders who continuously enrolled since First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Confirmation Year 1 (2-year program) — Eligible candidates are students in 7th grade or above who have been enrolled in consecutive years of a faith formation program.
Confirmation Year 2 — Students who successfully completed Confirmation Year 1.
Junior High Youth Ministry — All 7th and 8th graders who are already confirmed OR are not yet eligible for Confirmation Year 1.
High School Youth Ministry —
Basic Catechsis —Children between the grade levels of third and twelfth grade who were baptized as infants and who have had no religious instruction since. A parent attends ‘family sessions’ that are held once a month during the regular class time.
RCIA: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (adapted for youth) (Minimum two-year process)
The RCIA process requires a serious family commitment. Please call the CFF office for more information.
Basic Inquiry/ RCIA Year 1 (New students!)
- Children between the ages of 8 and 17 who have not received any of the sacraments of initiation, i.e. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist.
RCIA Year II/ Catechumenate (Step Two in the RCIA process).
Students who successfully completed the Basic Inquiry class in 2020 and celebrated the Rite of Acceptance.
Note to our 2020 Neophytes: We continue!
Students who celebrated the initiation sacraments in 2020. Come on back and register for your age appropriate class.
Class Requirement
Important information on Reception of all Sacraments and Promotion to the next Grade levels
For All Sacraments and to successfully complete each level:
ABSENCES FOR THE YEAR MUST NOT EXCEED FOUR: With new circumstances this school year, we understand families are having to endure several things at once. We are entrusted with assisting in the faith formation of your children. To help us ensure the religious education of your children and in keeping consistent with our plan for this year, an effort must be made to 1) have your child/ren attend the monthly “drive-thru” CFF gathering, 2) complete each monthly packet in a timely manner; one monthly packet consists of several assignments; each unreturned assignment equals one absence; and 3) attend semimonthly CFF Zoom gatherings. More than four (4) absences may hold your child back from promotion or reception of a sacrament.
FAMILIES MUST ATTEND MASS: The most important way to develop your child’s Catholic identity is to celebrate weekly Mass and make Sundays special. Parents are the primary teachers and have the ultimate responsibility for passing on the faith to their children. Our faith is centered around one hour of praise and thanksgiving at Mass each week. Everything we talk about in the classroom setting has a direct reference to each Sunday’s Mass. Children who miss Mass are missing out on part of their lesson, and the lesson becomes abstract and obscure. Therefore, please assure that your children are being prepared for sacraments and promotion by attending Mass each Sunday. *Outdoor Mass is offered at 8:00 a.m. on Sundays (online pre-registration required); Mass is also livestreamed at 9:30 a.m. Links are accessed at www.stasac.org.
Based on the above information, the Director of Religious Education, in consultation with the Pastor, will determine if your child is properly prepared to receive a sacrament or promote to the next grade level.
Baptism
- Parents of children seven years and younger can arrange baptisms by telephoning the Parish Office at 428-5678.
- Children eight years or older can arrange for baptismal preparation by telephoning the Catholic Faith Formation Office at 392-6362. Children eight years or older will receive the Sacrament of Baptism during the Easter Vigil Mass through the initiation rites. During this liturgy, the children will also receive the Sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist. Preparation for these sacraments takes a minimum of two years. The Director of Religious Education, in consultation with the Pastor, will determine whether the child is prepared to receive the sacraments.
Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist
Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist are generally celebrated in the third grade. In order to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist, children must be attending their third consecutive year of classes. They must have successfully completed Pre-Sacrament Years 1 & 2, and be currently enrolled and regularly attending the Eucharist/Reconciliation class.
Confirmation
Confirmation (2-year program)
Students may begin this two-year program in 7th Grade if they have been continuously enrolled in a faith formation program.
• Candidates must be in 7th grade or above and must have been continuously attending a faith formation program.
• Students desiring Confirmation who have not been continuously enrolled in a faith formation program, must consult the Director of Religious Education to clarify which class to register for. This may include attending a year of Jr. High Youth Ministry, High School Youth Ministry, a Post-Sacrament class or the Basic Inquiry class, depending upon the age of the student and the number of lapsed CFF years, prior to entering the two-year Confirmation program.
Out of Sequence
Children between the levels of third and twelfth grade who have been baptized but who have had little or no education of the Catholic Faith enroll in the “Basic Catechesis” class. The family may wish to schedule an appointment with the Director of Religious Education prior to enrollment to discuss the process.
Rite of Christian Initiation – A serious family commitment.
Children between the ages of 8 and 17 who have not been baptized must enroll in the “initiation process”—RCIA. The family may wish to schedule an appointment with the Director of Religious Education prior to enrollment to discuss the initiation process. (Minimum 2-year process)
➢ Basic Inquiry/RCIA Year 1: the first year of the initiation process.
➢ Year 2: RCIA Catechumenate is for students who have celebrated the Rite of Acceptance.
Downloads
Students desiring CONFIRMATION who have not been continuously enrolled in a faith formation program, must consult with the Director of Religious Education to clarify which class to register for. This may include attending a year of Junior High or High School Youth Ministry, a Post Sacrament class or RCIA I/Basic Catechesis, depending upon the age of the student and number of lapsed CFF years prior to enrolling in the two-year Confirmation Program.
Catholic Faith Formation Class Schedule 2020-2021
PreK-Kinder:
A monthly packet w/ weekly Bible lesson and craft; 15-minute Zoom Gathering on 2nd & 4th Sundays at 9:10am
PreSac 1:
A monthly packet & project; 30-minute Zoom Gathering on the 2nd & 4th Sundays at 10:45am
PreSac 2:
A monthly packet & project; 30-minute Zoom Gathering on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 4:00pm
First Reconciliation & First Eucharist:
Monthly packet & project; 1 hr Zoom Gathering on the 2nd & 4th Sundays at 11:00am
PostSac 1 (4th Gr):
Monthly packet & project; 30-minute Zoom Gathering on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 4:30pm
PostSac 2 (5th Gr):
Monthly packet & project; 30-minute Zoom Gathering on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 5:00pm
PreConfirmation (6th Gr):
Monthly packet & project; 30-minute Zoom Gathering on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 5:30pm
RCIA 1/Basic Catechesis:
Monthly packet & project; weekly 30-minute Zoom session on Tuesdays at 6:00pm
RCIA Year 2:
Monthly packet; weekly sessions (in-person & Zoom) on Sundays; monthly family sessions
Confirmation Yr 1 (7th Gr & up):
Monthly packet; weekly YM Zoom gatherings; (4) Confirmation Yr 1 - Zoom sessions (Dates/Times TBA)
Confirmation Yr 2 (8th Gr & up):
Monthly packet; weekly YM Zoom gatherings; monthly Confirmation Yr 2 - Zoom sessions
Youth Ministry (Junior High & High School):
Monthly take-home; weekly YM Zoom Gatherings for Sunday Evening Prayer & Reflection and Wednesday Youth Nights
*High School Ministry registers separately
Children’s Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children’s Liturgy is an opportunity for children, kindergarten through 6th grade, to celebrate Sunday Mass with readings and a homily geared towards their age level. Children begin Mass with their families, are escorted to the CFF Center following the Opening Prayer, and then return to their families at the offertory.
Children's Choir
Children’s Choir is open to K-6th-grade children.