The Office of Faith Formation is eager to begin our 2024-25 school year! We will continue our approach with family integration in mind, in light of the Cathedral parish’s mission to bring Jesus to the world through the family. 

Based on last year's pilot of A Family of Faith, we found components worth keeping, and some that we have changed to better serve the needs of both parents and children. 
 

WEDNESDAY FAMILY FORMATION

Grades 4-6
 

• Our approach for family formation for the 2024-25 school year will include lessons for both parents and children on a weekly basis (with built-in breaks throughout the year.)
• This family formation is offered specifically for the families who have children who are not enrolled in our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) Atrium sessions (simply because our CGS program hasn’t “aged up” for children beyond third grade yet), thus reaching families with children in public school and/or homeschool, grades 4-6.
  • If you have a child in grade 3 or lower, you will be receiving an email from Deb Martinek about their proposed session time for the CGS Atrium this next school year.
  • If you have a child(ren) in public school and/or homeschool, grades 4-6 AND a child(ren) in grade 3 or lower, you can register the younger child(ren) in the CGS Atrium session that coincides with the family formation session on Wednesday evenings.
  • Details about Confirmation preparation for 6th grade students will be provided in early September 2024.
  • Students in grades 7-12 will have the opportunity to participate in our thriving youth ministry gatherings at the parish.
• A calendar which indicates off-days for sessions as well as any special dates will be coming soon! 
  • We will provide a meal for your family on the Wednesdays that you come, to make it as easy as possible for you to incorporate these weekly sessions into your family calendar.

 

CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD (CGS)

Level 1: Ages 3 years old through 5/6 years old (Kindergarten)
Level 2: Grades 1-3

Additionally, we will continue offering our Level 1 and Level 2 Atria for children in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. The Level 1 Atrium will be an option for children ages 3 years old (and fully potty trained) through 5/6 year old Kindergartners. Our Level 2 Atrium meets the needs of all children in grades 1-3. For background information on the CGS method, please check out this article.

• Please note the change in time for our morning and afternoon sessions for this year.

  
The following sessions are offered for the CGS Level 1 Atrium (ages 3 through Kindergarten):  
The following sessions are offered for the CGS Level 2 Atrium (grades 1-3):

  
The Level 1 CGS Atria sessions will be capped at 10 students and the Level 2 Atria will be capped at 12 students. We will continue to add Levels as the children grow – any current third grade students and younger will be enrolled in the CGS Atrium for the duration of their faith formation up to Confirmation, which takes place at the end of the child’s 6th grade year.
  
Placement of children in desired Atrium session is based on the timestamp of registration. We will do all we can to honor your preferred session! 
   

REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULE

​Registration opens online beginning Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 9:00 AM.
Please register your child(ren) by Friday, August 30, 2024 for our office’s planning purposes. 

CLICK TO REGISTER

• Cost is $100 per child. We are using Faith Direct (our secure online giving platform) for our online registration again this year, which allows you to make your secure payment online via credit card, debit card, or your checking account!
• There is a small amount of scholarship funds available; if you would like some assistance in making the payment for registering your child(ren), please contact Deb and she will share a tailored code with you for the online registration form.
• The first week of CGS Atrium will take place beginning Tuesday, September 10. Specific details about the schedule for the Level 1 and 2 children will be communicated to those families.
• The first Family Formation session will take place on Wednesday, September 11.
• Calendars for both Family Formation and CGS sessions are coming soon! 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Rachel or Deb at 223-1033.