Family Faith Formation

Cara Benjamin to begin responsibilities as Director of Faith Formation.  Read her message below!

My name is Cara Benjamin and for those that do not know me I am the Director of Music and Liturgy and have just been given the privilege of running our Faith Formation Program.  As Father Jacob and Gina mentioned at your last session we are making some changes to our program here at St. T's.  Although I recognize change is not always easy I assure you we are working hard to implement a Faith Formation program that is theologically sound and adaptable to the needs of our community. I am excited about the opportunities for formation and fellowship that will come with our new format. In the next few weeks, I am meeting with our Catechists to finalize all the details for the upcoming year and will be in touch soon.  
 

At the last session on May 5, 2024, Fr. Jacob shared with the current parents the upcoming plans for Family Faith Formation.  You can view the presentation offered on at that session to our parents on the slides below named "Presentation 5/5/24."  You can also, read his letter sent to current parents and catechists on 5/5/24 via email by clicking "Letter to Parents" below.  There is also a section below for frequently asked questions, along with the current expectations for attending Mass for our faith formation families.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us!

• What are we doing next year (2024-2025) for faith formation and in the future?
  • First Grade through Seventh Grade will use My Catholic Faith Delivered Online Program.
  • Third Grade will use the My Catholic Faith Deliever Online Program and 12 in-person supplmental sacramental preparation for first confession and first communion.
  • Eighth Grade will take place in in-person classes as they have before at Saint Teresa’s for sacramental prep to prepare students to make their confirmation during eighth grade.  There will be no online component.
• When can I register my family for the online program?
  • More information of how to register.
• What is happening for sacramental prep years, grades 3 and 8?
  • Third Grade will use the My Catholic Faith Deliever Online Program and 12 in-person supplmental sacramental preparation for first confession and first communion.
  • Eighth Grade will take place in in-person classes as they have before at Saint Teresa’s for sacramental prep to prepare students to make their confirmation during eighth grade.  There will be no online component.
• What if my child is other-abled or is not capable or online faith formation?
  • Your child will cerainly be accomdated.  Saint Teresa's is comitted to accomdating those with special needs on a case by case basis.  Please contact us if you have more questions.
• What about children that are too young for online faith formation?  (Pre-K and K)
  • Online instruction will not be offered prior to First Grade.
  • Children aged 4-7 are encouraged to attend the Children's Liturgy of the Word during the 10:30AM Sunday Mass at Saint Teresa's.
• What about the Mass attendance policy?
  • For clarifcation, please click here.
• If the program is online, what will the catechists do?
  • Hosting and putting on quarterly family nights.  Quarterly family nights will include parents, their children, and catechists to host a night with food, an activity, and fun for the entire family to engage their faith.
  • Helping with sacramental retreats
  • Many "behind the scences" tasks in our office
  • Helping host "office hours" to help during this transition if parents have questions.
• My child is in (blank) grade.  What are we committing to?
  • 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th - My Catholic Faith Delievered, quarerly family faith formation nights
  • 3rd - My Catholic Faith Delievered Online Program, in-person sacramental prep for first confession (6 sessions in the fall) and first communion (6 sessions in the spring)
  • 8th - in-person sacramental prep for confirmation (18 sessions throughout the academic year)
  • Attending Mass at Saint Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center 70% of Sundays from August-May.