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Faith Formation

- Faith Formation
Franciscan Online Catechetical Training
- Franciscan at Home

Religion Classes and Faith Formation for Grades K - 11
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Registration. New students are required to bring a copy of their Baptismal certificate. A $20.00 registration fee is charged to help cover the cost of student resources and materials used for the classes. 
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Many volunteers help to maintain our education program and activities. Catechist, classroom helpers,restroom monitors, hall safety and traffic safety monitors, are guided by the education co-ordinator. All vounteers and employees who minister to our young people are required to attend Safe Environment Education Classes and must be willing to update their certification each year.

Classes will meet monthly (pending COVID-19 guidelines.)
Schedules will be sent to families in regards to date and time of class gatherings.

                                        Grades K-1-2-3-4-5-6: Wednesday @ 5:00-6:00pm

                                        Grades 7-8-9-10 :   Wednesday @ 7:00-8:00pm

                               Confirmation:         Wednesday @ 6:45-8:00pm

Safe Environment Education - Bishop Douglas Deshotel enforces a mandate issued In 2003,by Bishop Michael Jarrell that required all volunteers and staff to attend a Safe Environment Initial Training and a yearly update to remain active in ministry with the youth of any church parish/ catholic school in the Diocese. Those yearly updates can be achieved by attending a Safe Environment Continuing Education Class offered at St. Joseph’s or Virtus online updates offered by the Diocese of Lafayette. For more information on either, please call the Education Office.

In addition to the training offered to volunteers and staff, we are also mandated to offer safe environment education to our students as part of religious education. Parents are also invited to attend these sessions as well as having handouts mailed to them as part of the continuing education for families.

The goal of this mandate is to promote an awareness to help keep your child/teen safe. We can help them and ourselves to become more aware of the happenings around us in this changing world so we can be better equipped to maintain a safe environment in homes and community.

Faith Formation for the Sacraments

Baptism - Required Baptism preparation classes will be offered during the months of February, May, August and November for parents and godparents.  Parents should plan accordingly when desiring to baptize an infant/child. Calling and planning ahead will prevent any unnecessary delays in the baptism of your baby after he/she is born.

For those parents desiring to baptize a child beyond the age of 7, please contact Office of Religious Education for more information.

Specific dates and times will be published in the bulletin for these classes or you may call the Office of Religious Education for desired information.

First Reconciliation - Family preparation is offered to families who are seeking First Reconciliation for their (Grade 2) children. Preparation includes parent meetings, at home participation activities and retreat experiences for both children and parents. Any child seeking this sacrament needs to be participating in an ongoing faith formation process either through the parish religion program or a Catholic School. For more information, call the Office of Religious Education.

First Eucharist - Family preparation is offered to families who are seeking First Eucharist for their (grade 2) children. Preparation includes parent meetings, at home participation activities and retreat expereinces for both children and parents. Any child seeking this sacrament needs to be participatiing in an ongoiing faith formation process either through the parish religion program or a CatholicSchool . For more information, call the Office of Religious Education.

Confirmation - Preparation for the sacrament of confirmation is offered to Grade 11 students, who have been a part of an ongoing faith formation process either through a parish religion program or a Catholic school setting. Preparation begins with a parent and student orientation and includes classroom instruction, opportunities for personal growth in service ministry and spiritual growth experiences, interviews and a retreat experience for the candidates.

Adults wishing to Confirm that have recieved other sacraments have the opportunity to continue their journey with Adult Confirmation classes.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adultism)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, known as RCIA, is the way the Roman Catholic Church brings adults into full membership. The process is structured to provide information and formation to those who seek a fuller life as Christians in the Catholic tradition. Participation in the RCIA process does not obligate one to assume a commitment of church membership.

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Is RCIA for you?
· Are you unbaptized? Would you like to be baptized in the Catholic Faith?
· Are you baptized in another Christian faith and want to explore entry into the Catholic Faith?
· Are you married to a Catholic and want to learn more about your spouse’s faith?
· Are you baptized Catholic , but never celebrated the sacraments of Eucharist or Confirmation?

If you can say yes to any of these questions and want more information, please call Mamie @ 395–3881. Registration is required and new sessions usually begin in September.


Our Catholic Heritage

For those families who has older children in need of sacraments, we also have a process adapted for children. In the first year, lessons are offered to help catechize students so they may join their peer group the following year. Family preparation is also offered to those who are ready to receive the sacraments appropriate for their age group.

Summer Bible Camp......Registrations begin in May

Campers: Grade Pre-K 4 -6

       Student Counselors: Grades 7-12

Adult Directors: College and beyond

This wonderful week brings all ages together as we welcome campers, counselors and adult directors to be a part of the fun- filled activities of this Bible Camp. Activities are planned that include daily bible lessons, crafts, singing, recreation and snacks, camp talent show and a closing camp Mass on Friday.

Childrens Church

It is with regret that we announce Children’s Church will not be offered at 10a.m. Mass this year. We are very grateful for the volunteers that enabled us to offer this wonderful ministry for the young children for so many years.