SS Peter & Paul at 434 High Street, Ionia, MI 48846 US - Our Program
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Faith Formation is an integral aspect of any Church Community therefore the purpose of the Faith Formation Center is to provide an atmosphere conductive to continued faith formation for all youth and their families on a year-round basis. Families and diverse communities within our parish unite in their faith development, increase their understanding of the Sacraments alive and working in their everyday lives and grow together in love for God.
Faith Formation classes are currently offered to children in Pre-Kindergarten through the twelfth grade between the morning Sunday masses from 9:45am-10:45am in the school. Retreat days are offered as additional preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation. For more information about registering for Faith Formation classes or Baptism preparation, please contact our Coordinator Vanessa Booth at 527-3575.
When registering for classes please complete the following forms: http://home.catholicweb.com/SSPPionia/files/Registration_form.doc
http://home.catholicweb.com/SSPPionia/files/MediaReleaseForm.pdf
http://home.catholicweb.com/SSPPionia/files/Discipline_Policy.doc
Check out our Faith Formation and Youth Group 2009-2010 Calendars at:
http://home.catholicweb.com/SSPPionia/files/Calendar_2009-10.pub
http://home.catholicweb.com/SSPPionia/files/Youth_Group_Calendar_2009-2010.pub
SSPP FAITH FORMATION FACULTY
Rev. Thomas Boufford Pastor
Mrs. Vanessa Booth Coordinator of Faith Formation
CATECHISTS
Julie Kubiak Seedlings
Haideen Meyers Seedlings
Cathy Orban First Grade
Sandra Michalek First Grade
Dave Blundy Second Grade
Rita Heglin Second Grade
Jean Hoskins Third Grade
Jennifer Barker Fourth Grade
Kelly Michelsen Fifth Grade
Yvonne Meyers Fifth Grade
Lori Bonn Sixth & Seventh
Chelsea Booth Sixth & Seventh
Hank Knoop Eighth Grade
Bob Miller Eighth Grade
Kevin Booth High School
John Hildebrandt High School
David Bayley High School
SAINTS PETER & PAUL FAITH FORMATION
ROLE OF THE PARENTS
Parents are called by God to be both teachers and examples of faith. The religious education of our children begins at home because it is at home that they learn about life and love. Indeed, home is often referred to as the "domestic church" because what is learned in church will be internalized only if it is lived at home.
In his letter to families, Pope John Paul II wrote: "Parents are the first and most important educators of their children, and they also possess a fundamental competence in this area; they are educators because they are parents."
Pope John Paul II
The Catechist facilitates the process of faith formation first by echoing the word of God in his or her own life, and second by helping others to do the same.
Each catechist is important because he or she is a living example dedicated to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in a classroom setting.
The catechist learns and grows with adults, families, adolescents, and children, passing on a lived faith.
The Church awakens and discerns this divine vocation and confers the mission to catechize. The Lord Jesus invites men and women, in a special way, to follow him, teacher and formator of disciples" (GDC 231)
Catechetical Procress involves 4 steps:
- Engaging the life experiences of the participants
- Exploring the concepts to be taught (Scriptural and Tradition
- Reflecting and integrating the concepts with the lived experience
- Responding with a new way of living
St. Ignatius of Loyola described this as entering through their door but leaving through your door.
Catechesis
Catechesis is sharing the whole message of Christianity, the good news of the gospel, with others. It is centered on Jesus Christ and is aimed at all members of the church--adults, youth, children--to deepen and mature their faith. It is much more than instruction about Catholic Christian beliefs; it is also of personal faith by committed Christians.
Retreat/Days of Reflection
A retreat is a period of time used to step away from the routine activities of life. Many areas of enrichment can be found during a retreat, such as a deepening prayer, a sense of belonging in the community, interaction with peers and informal celebrations of the sacraments.
Leadership Formation
We are committed to offer effective ways to help the catechetical ministry thrive through the formation of its leaders. A series of workshops and training sessions are held throughout the year offering opportunities for personal growth.
Mission Outreach
Students will be encouraged to be actively invovled in living the Catholic faith based on the principles of justice and Christian love and service. Students at each grade level will have opportunites to use their talents and gifts to be of service to others in and outside of our community.
Sacramental Preparation Requirements
Families requesting sacramental preparation must be registered members of SS. Peter & Paul Parish.
Families requesting sacramental preparation must have the child enrolled in religion classes the year prior to, and the year during which the sacrament is to be received. Families requesting sacramental preparation need to attend a minimum of one parent/candidate meeting.
Students must attend scheduled retreats.
For a complete copy of our Handbook click on: http://home.catholicweb.com/SSPPionia/files/handbook.doc
Believers,...are called to respond to the gift of God through prayer, participation in the sacraments, the liturgy, ecclesial and social commitment, works of charity and promotion of human values, such as liberty, justice and peace and the protection of creation. In catechesis, therefore, subjects take on commitment in activities of faith, hope and charity, to acquire the capacity and rectitude of judges, to strengthen their personal conversion, and to a Christian praxis in their lives. (GDC, #157).