Faith Formation Details

Children in grades 1^st-6^th  will explore our Catholic faith through Our Lady of the Lake’s Explore Four program, which encourages faith exploration through four pillars - study (class), social, service, and faith practice opportunities. There will be 18 scheduled classes (study pillar) between August 28, 2024, and May 1st 2025.
Children that are in 1st yr. & 2nd yr. Sacramental Preparation classes are required to attend a minimum of 15 in-person classes to fulfill study requirements for the 2024-2025 year. Make-up work is required for an in-person class missed and is expected to be turned in to the Faith Formation office within a set time that is to be determined. 
All Students will also complete a minimum of 7 total additional Explore Four activities from the pillars of social, service, and faith practice. These opportunities must be completed between May 1st,2022-April 30th, 2023 (April 16th for 2nd yr Sac Prep Students). Explore Four credit is earned for social, service, and faith practice activities by completing and submitting the Children’s Explore Explore Four Reflection form found on the parish website under Formation on the Explore Four Page. This reflection should reveal the student's understanding of how their service, social, or faith practice activity relates to, and enriches life in the Church

Explore Four Requirements 2024-25

25 Total Explore Four Credits

• 18 Class attendance credits
• 7 Explore Four Credits  from the Service, Faith Practice & Social Pillars

• An Online Reflection Form needs to be filled out for each activity, and event attended to receive credit 

2024-25 Class Times   

Sunday 1:45 - 2:45   all classes offered
                3:15 - 4:30   all classes offered 
                                       2nd yr Sac Prep - bilingual
 Monday 4:30 - 5:45   all classes offered- NO 1st yr Sac Prep 3rd-6th
                 6:15 - 7:30   all classes offered
 Tuesday 4:30 - 5:45   all classes offered- NO 1st yr Sac Prep 3rd-6th
                  6:15 - 7:30    2nd Yr Sac Prep 2nd-6th Bilingual & English

Communication

Please join the Children's Faith Formation group to receive weekly messages to keep updated about Children’s Faith Formation news and events throughout the year. Please add yourself to any other ministries you are interested in and your child's grade-level group. To ensure that you continue
receiving messages, please add [email protected] to your email contacts.
 

Class Descriptions

1st-year Sacramental Preparation: (Grade 1-2)
Students in Grades1-2, and in their first year of sacramental preparation. This may also include students who have not been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church.
Children are not required to have their parents present for this class.

First-year Sacramental Parents are encouraged to attend our “Catholic Refresher” classes being offered throughout the year.  These classes are there to help adults better understand their faith and the role of the Domestic Church. We want to empower parents to feel comfortable having faith-based conversations with their children and implementing Catholic Living in their homes.  


1st-year Sacramental Preparation:(Grade 3-6)
Students in Grades 3-6, in their first year of preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. This may also include students who have not been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church. Children are not required to have their parents present for this class. 

First-year Sacramental Parents are required to attend our “Catholic Refresher” classes being offered throughout the year. Only one parent is required, but both are encouraged to attend. These classes are there to help adults better understand their faith and the role of the Domestic Church. We want to empower parents to feel comfortable having faith-based conversations with their children and implementing Catholic Living in their homes. 

2^nd Year Sacramental Preparation Students: Grade 2-6
Students in Grades 2-6, that have been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church have completed their first year of an approved sacramental preparation program and are preparing for the sacraments of the First Eucharist and Reconciliation. 
    Each student enrolled in 2^nd Year Sacramental Preparation must have a parent, grandparent, or godparent in attendance for each session. 

Preparation for the sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation begins with weekly Mass attendance as well as active participation in a formal faith formation program. These sacraments are taught and celebrated in the context of family and community.  

Post Sacramental: (Grade 3 & Grade 4)
Students in Grades 3 & 4, who have been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and received the sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation. Students in this class will continue to deepen and form their faith through the Discover! Finding Faith in Life curriculum. This follows the Go! Seek! Find! Curriculum used during Sacramental Preparation. Bring your Catholic Children’s Bible!
Grades 5-6
Students in grades 5 & 6, who have been baptized in the Roman Catholic Church and received the sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation.
This unique program takes the students into the Bible to learn about the people of the Bible.  One year the class will concentrate on people of the Old Testament, and the following year will investigate the New Testament. For the 2022-23 year the students will be studying people of the Old Testament. Students will be using the NABRE Breakthrough Bible For Young Catholics. A class copy will be provided for each student. Parents can also purchase a copy for students to use at home. Please reach out to the faith formation office to purchase a copy.