Family of Faith

In our effort to better support parents as the primary educators, especially religious education, of their children,* we are continuing our family-based model of faith formation for the parish!  This is also the direction the Diocese of Madison is asking parishes to move, especially as we go "Into the Deep."

For the 2023-2024 school year, all religious education will be led by parents and supported by the parish. We will host a monthly evening event in which all families come together to learn and pray.  There will also be optional social and community building activities.

Parents will then lead two lessons for their children in the home during the remainder of the month. Each family will receive a parent guide book (similar to the one pictured above right) and an activity book. Given that the best metric for raising your kids to practice our great faith when they are on their own is to have a weekly conversation about our faith in the home, the activity book will help guide you as you guide your children on the important topics and beliefs of our faith!

We know that this is a big ask for some families. In our parish plan alligned with the Diocese of Madison's "Go Make Diciples" and "Into the Deep" intiatives, we are striving to Reclaim Sunday as a holy, family day. It will be up to each family to prioritize faith formation, but we are hoping that extra-curricular events and sports will be understanding of a religious need to miss practice two or maybe three times over the whole season.

* paraphrase of Gaudium et Spes 48

The previous two years, Family of Faith nights have been scheduled from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. one Wednesday night a month. As we move "Into the Deep," our schedule for the 2023-2024 school year is still TBD.  We will post it as soon as we know.

Registration should be available by early August on our website.  Please watch for that to be announced in our bulletins, website and email communications.

Sacramental preparation will remain the same as previous years. It has always been above and beyond standard religious education and those preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion (typically second grade) and Confirmation (typically 10th grade) will receive schedules for specific formation events.

Your children will eventually ask you some difficult questions! Even if you are unsure of everything or not confident in your knowledge of the faith, you are perfectly suited to teach your children our faith!

We will do everything possible to help you! Answering a personal or tough question with an honest, "I am not sure, but let me get back to you" is a perfect way to share with your children that we are all learning and growing in faith together! Your family does not want you to be a know-it-all. They want you to be honest and open as we allow Jesus Christ to transform our very lives!