~Please see sidebar for Faith Formation information according to location~
--St. Patrick (Newcastle)
--Our Lady Queen of Peace (Boothbay Harbor)
--St. Mary (Bath) and St. Charles (Brunswick)
Pathways Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries (photo credit)
Faith Formation Registration
PLEASE SEE REGISTRATION LINKS IN THE SIDEBAR
Thank you for your interest in registering your family for Faith Formation 2023-2024! A suggested materials fee per child in Pre-K through Grade 5 helps to defray costs. The below schedule serves as a guide. Every child is welcome to participate regardless of financial circumstances. Any family unable to contribute the full amount is still more than welcome to participate. Please be in touch if this situation rings true for your family right now. On the flip side, if anyone feels able to contribute more than what’s recommended as assistance to another family, thank you! 1 child: $40; 2 children: $75; 3+ children: $100. A waiver is offered to every family that has a member volunteering each week as a family faith coach or office volunteer.
Please contact Amy Ford with any questions: [email protected]. Thank you!
Parents interested in partnering with the Parish
in the Faith Formation of their children with special needs
are invited to contact Amy Ford.
~Additional helps/information~
FAMILY RITUALS for HOUSEHOLDS OF FAITH You desire your children
to live the gift of a Catholic faith.
Inspire them through Family Rituals in 4 areas
that grow your own relationship with God
and your household of faith
from whatever it is now to something deeper.
Work
Through Family Life
Preparing and sharing meals together
Working on household / outdoor maintenance projects together
Through a Wider Community (see sidebar for more information)
Write to Glory, our sponsored friend in Kenya through Unbound.
Volunteer as a family. For instance, Scatter Good Farm in Brunswick grows organic produce specifically for area food pantries and welcomes family volunteers.
Play
Through Family Life
Board and card games, arts and crafts, and read-alouds
Time together in nature
Family celebrations
Through a Wider Community (see sidebar for more information)
Enjoy movie nights throughthe Parish subscription to FORMED, a free resource for all ages from the Augustine Institute, providing easy access to Catholic programming, movies, audios and books.
Talk
Through Family Life
Meaningful meal conversations about faith and values
Sharing the "thorns, buds, and roses" of the day
Through a Wider Community (see sidebar for more information)
Enjoy the Faith Formation Weekly, a parent resource that includes a Parenting the Faith column by Catechist and Knight, Sean Fidler.
52 Sundays is a free lectionary-based resource for all ages from the Archdiocese of Detroit that helps to bridge the Gospel to daily life highlighting prayer, breaking open the Word, reflection and action.
Pray
Through Family Life
Praise and worship time
Family blessings
Spiritual readings...Bible stories, lives of the saints, etc.
Through a Wider Community
Participate in the Family Mass, a monthly 11AM liturgy at St. Charles with a child-friendly homily by Deacon John Murphy, SEPT through MAY.
The family's participation in Mass on a regular basis helps children grow in their Catholic faith.
SACRAMENT PREPARATION
YR-1, YR-2 and RCIA Adapted for Children
Preparing Baptized Children for Confirmation and First Eucharist: Our parish has a 2-year sacrament preparation process. This approach gives children the time needed to learn about and develop a relationship with Jesus, to learn prayers and ways of praying, to understand and desire the sacraments, and to be involved in the church through weekly Mass. Parents/guardians play the most important role in passing on the faith. Families come in many shapes and we welcome all regardless of the situation – married, single, divorced, currently active in the Church or not, Catholic and non-Catholic.
YR-1 Sacrament Preparation Parent Handbook (see sidebar)
Preparing Non-Baptized Children for Baptism, Confirmation and First Eucharist: The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) model of catechesis is followed for children 7 years of age or older who have not been baptized and have never received any religious education. The process prepares the child and family for the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. The formation is specific to the stages of Inquiry, Catechumenate, Lent, and Mystagogy.
Journey of Faith from Liguori Publications
SAFE ENVIRONMENT CURRICULUM
Circle of Grace is the diocesan-chosen safe environment curriculum. An information packet is available for anyone, especially those new to the program.