Family of Faith and Sunday School

A FAMILY OF FAITH

Family Catechesis (For families with children in grades 1-8)

 

At St. John’s, the elementary Family of Faith PSR program is designed to create lifelong disciples and grow in faith together as a family.

The right and duty of parents to give education is essential … original and primary … and it is irreplaceable and incapable of being entirely delegated to others.  

                                                                          – Familiaris Consortio, 36

As promised at your child’s baptism, your mission is to be “the first and best teachers of your children in the ways of the Faith.”  To assist you in this role, St. John uses Sophia Institute’s A Family of Faith, Catechesis for the Whole Family. 

The vision for A Family of Faith is to cultivate a strong Catholic family in which children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of their Faith through the witness of Christian living given by their parents.  

 

Our hope and prayer is that through Family of Faith, we can:

 

• • Encourage and better equip parents to integrate the faith at home.
  • Support and nurture strong Catholic families who reflect the image of the Blessed Trinity.
  • Provide parents the opportunity to deepen their relationship with the Lord as we journey together toward heaven, thus becoming strong witnesses for their children.

• Facilitate growing together as the Body of Christ by building community with other families, celebrating Catholic life together through prayer, service to others, social activities, and liturgical celebrations. 

 

Family of Faith follows a four-year cycle of lessons based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Year 1: The Profession of Faith; Year 2: The Sacraments; Year 3: Life in Christ; Year 4: Christian Prayer).

 

For the 2025-2026 year, we will focus on Year 4, which explores Christian Prayer and its essential role in growing our relationship with God.

 

How does it work?

Family of Faith (FOF) consists of two sessions per month, October – May (with exceptions noted on the calendar). 

 

• The first session each month is for parents and children. Parents will gather in the Activity Center for small-group discussions related to that month’s topic as well as other experiences. 
• The second session is for children only. 
• Children will participate in grade-level activities in their designated rooms during both sessions each month. 
• There are a few scheduled “family events” where everyone meets together. Your extended family is welcome to join us for those events.
• Parents will be provided a Parent Guide and an Activity book for each of their children. Please bring the children’s activity book to the sessions.
• You will receive a monthly Family Guide and Newsletter. 
  • The Family Guide is a checklist breaking down the monthly
    at-home activities found in the Parent Guide.
  • The Newsletter is for monthly announcements such as next session dates, Mass times for Holy Days, liturgical year information & activity suggestions, etc. 

 

There will be a FOF parent meeting on September 16th at 6:30 p.m. and September 17th at 5:30 p.m. You are welcome to attend the meeting that is most convenient for your schedule. Books will be distributed at this time.

 

Sunday School

Children ages three, four, and five by September 30 (& fully potty-trained) are invited to participate in our Sunday School program, held during the 9:30 AM Mass as scheduled on the calendar. 

In Sunday School, children experience learning about their faith and Jesus’ love through various activities, including Bible stories, crafts, prayer, and faith discussions.

Family of Faith Calendar