Combined Locks, Wisconsin

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Faith Formation

 

FLOCK Faith Formation Vision: We are Catholic disciples who follow Jesus and share Him with others!

FLOCK Faith Formation Mission: St. Paul Parish is devoted to cultivating families of well-formed disciples who know, love, serve, and share Jesus Christ and His holy Church. 

Full Program Calendar for 2022-23 (pdf)

(Google Calendar links are in the "detail" sections below)

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR 2022-23 Faith Formation

(if you prefer to fill out a paper form, they are availabe at the entrances to Church or in the parish office)

TUITION PAYMENT FOR 2022-23 Faith Formation 

(if you prefer to pay by check, please make payable to St. Paul Parish and submit with your registration form)

 

2022-23 FLOCK Faith Formation: Details, Dates, and Ways to Help

Elementary School Ministry

 

Middle School Ministry (Edge)

 

High School Ministry (LifeTeen)

 

First Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion

  • Part of the 2nd Grade program, but any children in older grades who need these sacraments are also welcome! Please talk to Maggie and we'll get things sorted out. 
  • Class preparation:
    • are as outline above
    • most Wednesdays 6:00-7:15pm
    • 2 Faith & Fun Nights for the entire family (parent(s) + all kids in grades 1-8)
  • Family preparation:
    • Homestudy activity book: God's Gift: Reconciliation and God's Gift:Eucharist. These books are distributed in November and February for families to work through at home and include a packet of lesson guides and activities suggestions.
    • First Reconciliation Retreat: Saturday, January 7, 2023 9:00am -12:00 pm. Each 2nd grader and at least one parent should attend.
    • First Reconciliation: Wednesday, January 25, 2023, 6:00-7:15pm. Each 2nd grader and at least one parent should attend, although the entire family is strongly encouraged to come celebrate the sacrament together!
    • First Communion Retreat: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 9:00am-12:00pm. Each 2nd grader and at least one parent should attend. 
    • First Communion: Sunday, April 30, 2023, afternoon (time tbd). First Communicants and their families and any guests are all welcome!
    • Corpus Christi Procession: Sunday, June 11, 2023, during one of the Masses (tbd): First Communion children are invited to wear their beautiful fancy outfits again for a procession outside along the sidewalk as the parish celebrates the Feast of the Body of Christ. This is a new tradition we are hoping to kick off this year :)
  • Google Calendar Link for 2nd grade events only

 

Confirmation Preparation

  • In addition to of the LifeTeen high school program, high school Juniors prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, whcih they receive the Fall of their Senior Year
  • Those preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation are called "candidates" or "Confirmandi"
  • Group preparation:
    • One Sunday per month starting in November, 2022
      • Candidates + sponsor together
      • Class 9:30-10:30 am, then Mass at 10:30 am together as a group
    • Confirmation retreat (overnight):
      • 2 possible dates (waiting to hear which we were assigned) either in November or February
      • at Mount Tabor Retreat Center in Menasha
  • Individual prepartion:
    • Candidates + Sponsors meet once per month on their own time and follow guided prayer/discussion 
    • Candidates meet with Deacon Dave in the fall of their senior year for their interview
    • Candidates write a letter to Bishop Ricken asking to be confirmed
  • Google Calendar link for junior confirmation prep events only

 

Faith & Fun (optional afterschool Wednesdays)

  • Like last year, we will host optional Faith & Fun afterschool time, especially for (although not limited to) kids coming from Janssen Elementary next door. It will be available from 3:45 (after Janssen's 3:38 dismissal time) to 5:00 pm the same Wednesdays we have regular Faith Formation in the evening.
  • Faith & Fun is not meant to replace or be an alternative to Faith Formation sessions in the evenings, but rather is a supplement to help out Faith Formation kids who would not otherwise have Wednesday afterschool care.
  • Both the online and paper registration forms list an option to sign up for Faith & Fun.

 

What is the cost?

FLOCK has a simple tuition structure.

  • 1 child in faith formation = $75 total for the family
  • 2 children in faith formation = $150 total for the family
  • 3+ children in faith formation = $200 total for the family

Special years like Second Grade (First Reconciliation/First Holy Communion) or Junior Year (Confirmation preparation) incur no additional costs.

 

What does the FLOCK name mean?

Each part of the FLOCK name has important meaning!

Families: The foundation of any society is the family, which includes not just parents and their own kids, but also grandparents, extended family, and others. But families are hard work! Saint Pope John Paul II said, “To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.” To support each other in this hard work of family life, FLOCK is oriented around all our families journeying in faith together.

Living: If we just hear and learn about Jesus and Church, and don’t do much with that information, it isn’t very helpful. As individuals, families, and a parish community, living out our faith in our actions is where the “rubber meets the road” of our walk with Jesus.

Our: Faith and life in Jesus Christ and his Church is personal, “my faith,” but it’s also communal, “our faith.” We need each other!

Catholic: We are blessed to be part of the Catholic Church! Our community goes back all the way directly to Jesus and his Apostles, and we have over two   thousand years of wisdom to draw from and the   prayers of the Saints in heaven. We are proud to be Catholic!

Koinonia: {pronounced “COIN-an-NEE-ah”} This word is Ancient Greek, and was often used in the Early Church to describe the fellowship, love, and support among the friends and followers of Jesus Christ. In the Bible, Hebrews 10:25 says, "Do not neglect to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encourage one another."  FLOCK is all about families in community!

 

What are our ministry priorities for faith formation?

Crafted to be relevant and appropriate to the combination of diverse ages/needs within each each group, FLOCK includes four guiding priorities:

Prayer: Saint Mother Teresa said, “Prayer makes your heart bigger, until it is capable of containing the gift of God himself.” FLOCK will help families strengthen how they pray together, in ways we might all know already and also by learning new ways that we can pray.

Bible: our monthly FLOCK themes follow the cycle of Bible readings, called the lectionary, that everyone hears proclaimed at Mass. FLOCK encourages and empowers children/teens and parents/adults to grow closer to Jesus Christ who is present in the Scriptures.

Mass: because Sunday [weekend] Eucharist is such an important moment each week to celebrate, worship, rest, and remember, the entire FLOCK experience is crafted to be lived out and deepened by each family’s presence at the weekend  liturgy. Throughout the year we will work on learning more about who is who at Mass [it’s not just about the priest or deacon!], why we celebrate the way we do, what we “put in” and  “get out” of Mass, and how Jesus draws us closer to himself and to each other in this way.

Service: Jesus inspires each of us to think about, pray for, and serve others who are in need. We seek to serve others as individuals, as families, and as a whole St. Paul Catholic Church community. FLOCK will provide many opportunities for service throughout the year, and we are excited to see all the new and creative ways our families  will reach out to all our neighbors!