Children’s Faith Formation Program

We are a PreK-8 grade Children's Faith Formation program, striving to assist our families and youngest disciples to encounter, proclaim, and share in their relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Our lessons focus on the 4 pillars of the Church: Sacrament and Worship, Creed, Prayer, and Morality/Social Justice. Throughout the year we have Mass, community celebrations, Reconciliation for the family, and practice Catholic prayer and traditions. 

Cost

  • In Person: $100 per child for registered parishioners; $125 for non-registered parishioners. 

  • Homeschooling / Parent Led: $25 per child. Families may return to in-person classes at any time if there is availability.

Dates: Wednesdays, August-May | 6:15-7:30 PM 

Questions? Contact Julie Lukasiewicz, Director of Faith Formation | lukaj@stwenceslaus.org | (402) 330-1889.

Program Goals

  • To support parents in their role as primary educators of their children. To teach Jesus Christ, our Savior and Model of Christian life.

  • To provide opportunities for diverse prayer forms calling students to open their hearts to God's presence and activity.

  • To develop a strong sense of belonging to the parish family, as evidenced by participation in Sunday Mass and other parish celebrations.

  • To prepare families for their children's first reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist, thereby fostering moments of adult faith development.

  • To work with youth in preparing spiritually and doctrinally for the Sacrament of Confirmation while developing a habit of service to others and commitment to worship and community.

  • To offer opportunities for adult faith development through ministry, courses and other adult education.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • Prepare lesson plans according to grade level curriculum, incorporating prayer, worship, service, and community into lesson plans. Poster students to grow in their faith, recognizing faith is a gift. Attend scheduled in-services. Comply with the Archidocesan Safe Environment Policy. Catechists withc dhilren enrolled in the Children’s Faith Formation Program are eligible to recieve a volunteer credit of 100% of the registration fees. Material fees for sacrament prep and retreat fees still apply to all children in the parish.

  • Assist classroom catechist and students with activities and discipline during class. The assistant catechist may choose to plan and develop a portion of the weekly lesson. In the event of the absence of the catechist, the assistant may take over the class. (Unless previously agreed upon, the catechist should prepare lesson plans for the assistant catechist.) Attend in-services. Comply with the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policy. Assistant catechists with children enrolled in the Children’s Faith Formation Program are eligible to receive a volunteer credit of 100% of the registration fees. Material fees for sacrament prep and retreat fees still apply to all children in the parish.

  • (Wednesday) In the event of absence due to illness or travel, will fill in for the regular catechist. It is anticipated that the classroom catechist will have lesson plans available for the class session. Substitute catechists must comply with Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policy.

  • (Wednesday) Provide general office help and monitor foot traffic in hallways and restrooms before and during classes. Assist with monitoring the flow of traffic in the parking lot after classes. Office volunteers must comply with the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policy. Office volunteers with children enrolled in the Children’s Faith Formation Program are eligible to receive a credit of 100% of the registration fee for their children if they agree to assist with monitoring the parking lot and be present each week to assist with program needs in the office. Material fees for sacrament prep and retreat fees still apply to all children in the parish.

  • (Wednesday) Adult volunteers will assist the program to maintain a smooth flow of traffic in the parking lot before and after the Children’s Faith Formation Program classes. Parking Lot volunteers with children enrolled in the Children’s Faith Formation Program are eligible to receive a credit of 100% of the registration fee for their children if they agree to assist with monitoring the parking lot and be present each week to assist with program needs. Material fees for sacrament prep and retreat fees still apply to all children in the parish. Parking lot volunteers must comply with the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policy.

  • (Wednesday) Provide care for children of catechists and assistant catechists volunteering in the Children’s Faith Formation Program. Child Care volunteers must comply with the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policy. Volunteers with children enrolled in Children’s Faith Formation Program are eligible to receive a volunteer credit of 100% of the registration fees. Volunteers must agree to be available 100% of the time to receive a credit. Material fees for sacrament prep and retreat fees still apply to all children in the parish.

  • Volunteers will assist the Director with the planning and implementation of the Vacation Bible School Program. Vacation Bible School volunteers must comply with the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Policy. VBS volunteers with children enrolled in the Summer VBS Program are eligible to receive a volunteer credit of 50% of the registration fees. Material fees for sacrament prep and retreat fees still apply to all children in the parish.

If you would like to be part of this mission or have questions, please contact Julie Lukasiewicz, Director of Faith Formation | lukaj@stwenceslaus.org | (402) 330-1889.