Life Long Faith Formation


See 2011-2012 Downloadable Forms at Bottom of this page

Life Long Faith Formation at the cluster parishes of St. Agnes, St. Paul of the Cross & St. Rose
Who are we? Why do we do what we do? As Catholic Christians, we are called by our baptism to be disciples of Jesus. Jesus brings people into communion with God. This happens through catechesis which unfolds the fullness of God's plan. "Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people, and adult which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life."-Catechism of the Catholic Church #5. In our country, most catechesis is being modeled after the restored catechumenate (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) in that "catechesis aims to achieve a more integral formation of the person rather than merely to communicate information." - National Directory for Catechesis -introduction section #3.

Faith Formation is part of a life-long process of learning and living our faith. There are 6 tasks of catechesis which I will outline only briefly: promote knowledge of the faith (Scripture and the Church teachings found in our Tradition), knowledge of Liturgy and the Sacraments, moral formation in Jesus Christ, teaches the Christian how to pray with Christ, and prepares the Christian to live in community and to participate actively in the life and mission of the Church.

We are thankful for the opportunity to support the role of parents - the primary educators of children in faith. The Faith Formation Office is here to support parents in that role. Our class times for children attending public school K-5th grade will now be from 9:15am-10:15am on Sunday at St. Agnes AND K-5th will be meet at ST. Rose - Brendan Hall from 10:00--11:00am.

Our Sunday Mass time at St. Agnes is at 10:30am. The Sunday Mass at 8:30am currently switches from odd months at St. Paul of the Cross - Honeoye Falls (September, November, January, March, May) and even months the 8:30am Sunday Mass is at St. Rose - Lima.

Middle School / Junior High grades 6-8 meet on Monday nights at St. Paul of the Cross. "Senior High" meets on Sunday afternoons and the locations vary (typically at SPOC and sometimes at SA).

Some specific programs and processes, which we provide for you and your family, are:
1. Sunday Faith Formation - traditional classroom format for grades K-5 (late Sept.-May) See the NEW 2011-2012 schedule for grades K-5 at two locations St. Rose -Brendan Hall and at St. Agnes
2. Youth Group programs - instruction (for grades 6 -8, 9-12) plus social and service opportunities. (Please note that Sun., Oct. 30th Senior High meeting has been cancelled due to the NCYC pilgrim meeting in Fairport that afternoon. )Typically Junior High (grades 6-8) gathers Monday evenings from 7-8pmh during the academic year for instruction, sharing, fun and prayer. Carpooling from the Avon area to Honeoye Fasll will be encouraged. Senior High gatherings are Sundays afternoons at 12:30pm or at 4:30pm when the monthly Sunday 6:00pm Mass is that day. Service projects and fun outings are also scheduled at various times and throughout the summer (for those interested including but not limited to our confirmation candidates). Outings and service projects are options planned with the assistance of parents and a Youth Ministry Team. The registration fees provide curriculum materials and entitle youth group members to get activity fee sponsorship from fund-raisers.Check out Facebook by searching for "St. Agnes, St. Paul of the Cross , St. Rose Youth Ministry"

3. Home Study options (we provide textbooks as part of your registration & book fees (for grades 1-5). This is for disciplined and motivated parents whose children are unable to attend the classroom model. The Home Study model works best when a parent is able to commit to an alternative scheduled time each week. This model still has expectations that curriculum objectives will be covered.
4. Liturgy of the Word for Children - at the 10:30 AM Sunday Mass at St. Agnes during most of the academic year & throughout the summer for the older children (typically ages 5 to 10) and a Pre-school section.We hope to expand CLW this fall at SPOC and SR during the Sunday morning 8:30am Mass. No fee nor registration is needed for CLW children.
5. Adult Education - Over the course of each year there are numerous parish-sponsored opportunities for adults to continue to study and explore their own faith. This includes adult ed sessions, catechist formation training sessions, Sacrament preparation sessions, retreats, parish missions, spirituality groups, and liturgical prayer opportunities (Scriptural rosary, Stations of the Cross, Prayer for Peace, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament). We also publish events from neighboring parishes and St. Bernard's as space permits in our weekly bulletin Most of the educational sessions benefit from pre-registration. Watch the bulletin for specifics.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION: Due to the US Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children, we MUST have screened aides and catechists scheduled in advance for each classroom. There are many opportunities for training. What are other ways you might volunteer to help?

Questions? Please call the Faith Formation (Religious Education) Office (226-3232). A 2011-2012 Sunday Faith Formation registration form for children in grades Kindergarten -12th grade is available on this web-page to download. Please note pages 1-2 for public school children in grades K-12 and page 3-4 for children attending catholic school in grades 6-8 and 9-12. Forms are due before August 30, 2011. Late forms will be accepted as space allows by contacting the Faith Formation Office (in advance of the class).

Forms to download:
Annual Registration form for grades K-12 -(please note pages 1-2 for public school children in grades K-12 and pages 3-4 for children attending catholic school grades 6-8 and 9-12)
2011-2012 Calendar for Grades K-5 at St. Agnes
(families from the cluster may register for either location)
2011-2012 Calendar for Grades K-5 at St. Rose
2011-2012 Calendar for Grades 6-8 and 9-12 --(Please note that the Oct. 30th Senior High Gathering has been cancelled due to the NCYC pilgrim meeting in Fairport.)
Cover letter

Interested in a Sacrament for your child?
Here is an Interest Finder Form.

Can you share your talents with our programs?
All volunteers working with children must complete Creating a Safe Environment program and fill out additional paperwork. Contact Mike Drexler at 226-3232 about the next CASE training.

All above forms should be returned to :
Faith Formation Office, 108 Prospect St., Avon NY 14414
Checks are payable to your parish: St. Paul of the Cross OR St. Rose OR St. Agnes Church.

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