FAMILY FORMATION
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Family Formation 2023-2024
The school year starts on Sept. 10, 2023!
Register here for Family Formation (Prek-6th grade)
Family Formation (PreK-6th Grade) school year starts on starts on Sept. 10th!
Family Formation is a dynamic program where parents and children learn and grow together in their faith through both home and church catechesis. It is not your typical drop-off program. Parents and children gather once a month at the Lower School. Children meet with their age-appropriate groups where they will receive formal catechesis. At the same time, parents gather in the gym and are engaged in the same topic through talks, discussion, and fellowship. After our monthly gathering, parents and children receive their take-home lessons to learn and discuss as a family for the remaining weeks of the month.
Family Formation Sundays for the 2023-2024 school year:
Sept 10
Oct 1
Nov 5
Dec 3
Jan. 14
Feb 4
Mar 3
Apr 7
May 5
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion for Children:
Sacraments strengthen our faith and improve our relationship with God. We are blessed to be able to help you guide your children on this beautiful journey.
For incoming 1st and 2nd graders:
Generally, two consecutive years of faith formation are required for sacramental preparation: Sac Prep 1 and Sac Prep 2. The sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are celebrated in Sac Prep 2.
Incoming 2nd graders without formation the year before are placed in Sac Prep 1.
Incoming 3rd graders and up, who need to prepare for sacraments (and were not actively involved in a faith formation program the year before), are placed in a class called TIPS.
What is TIPS?
TIPS, "Together In Preparation for Sacraments," is an RCIA class adapted for children, and comprised of students 3rd grade and up. This is a class for children who need to prepare for Sacraments, and have not had prior faith formation, or it has been more than a year since last active in faith formation. This class meets every Sunday at 9:15am (a parent is required to attend these weekly classes). Students are assessed on an individual basis. Children could be celebrating the Sacraments of First Reconciliation in March 2024 and First Holy Communion in May 2024. If your child is also needing Baptism, that will be celebrated in January 2024.
Special Needs
St. Thomas Aquinas offers a Special Needs class for all grade levels during the 9:15-10:30 session. Please reach out to Erin Antosh ([email protected]) for additional information.
For more information, or if you have any questions regarding the PreK – 6th grade program, contact Deacon Andy Pena at [email protected].
Children who need preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion need to be involved in Family Formation in 1st and 2nd grade. If your child is older than 2nd grade they will still need to be involved with a preparation program for two years to be eligible to receive the Sacraments.
Through the Sacrament of Confirmation, Catholics receive a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit and deepening of the baptismal graces needed to grow as mature disciples of Christ in the life of the Church. Here at St. Thomas, Confirmation is offered to teens 8th grade and older who have gone through preparation both formally and informally. Click the button below to learn more.
More About Confirmation at STA