Faith Formation Grades 1-5
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We have openings for catechists for Grades 1 - 5!
Find out more -
Join us in Faith Formation ministry! We have many opportunities for you to be involved. Sharing your gifts in Faith Formation ministry will help you grow in your faith as well as help the children. For more information, contact Mary Ann Marschall, Coordinator of Grades 1-6 Faith Formation, 763-762-7406 or maryannmarschall@saintvdp.org.
Currently we have positions open for:- Catechists
- Classroom Assistants
- Substitute Catechists
- Substitute Classroom Assistants
- Family Faith Night Assistants
- Substitute Family Faith Night Assistants
Ministry Position Descriptions: Click here for a brief description of each ministry position.
Monthly Zoom Session Ministry Positions:- Catechist
- Classroom Assistant
- Substitute Catechist
- Substitute Classroom Assistant
Family Faith Night (FFN) Ministry Positions:
- Family Faith Night Assistants
- Substitute Family Faith Night Assistants
Periodic Ministry Positions:
- Substitute Catechist
- Substitute Classroom Assistant
- Substitute Family Faith Night Assistants
Volunteer Ministers Make It Happen!:
We cannot offer these programs without the help of our dedicated volunteer ministers (about 160), many of whom are parents like you! Both adults and young people that serve in this ministry follow the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Guidelines.o All adults (ages 18+) will complete an online VIRTUS safe environment training, sign a Code of Conduct, sign a virtual session form, and complete a background check and online Code of Conduct and mandatory reporting trainings, as mandated by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Adult volunteer ministers will update their volunteer screening every 3 years.
o All young people (ages 12-17) will submit 2 letters of reference, and read and sign the Code of Conduct for Youth,and have parents sign a electronic communication form and virtual session form, as mandated by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Catechists: Catechists may be an adult, or a young person that has received the Sacrament of Confirmation (typically 10th grade or older).
Classroom Assistants: Classroom Assistants may be an adult or young person.
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For students who are in first - sixth grade, Faith Formation normally meets one time a week. Watch for information in late August about the 2020-2021 Faith Formation year.
Registration for Faith Formation: Is now closed. If you have any questions or comments, contact Fr. Zipp at frandrewzipp@saintvdp.org or 763-425-2210 or Mary Ann Marschall at maryannmarschall@saintvdp.org or 763-762-7406.
Grades 1-6 Faith Formation 2020-2021: is a hybrid program with the following components:- Monthly Family Faith Nights for children and parents
- Tuesdays 6:00 - 7:00 PM; Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:30 PM
- In the church proper where it is set up for safe, social distancing
- At least one parent/guardian must accompany the children
- Monthly Zoom class sessions for children and parents
- Tuesdays 6:00 - 6:30 PM; Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:00 PM
- Includes large group time led by coordinator and catechist facilitated breakout sessions
- Breakout sessions are grouped by family
- 8 Online Supported Home Study Sessions
- 2 Class with Mass Sessions - the family goes to or watches Mass at home together
- Tuesday, December 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception
- Wednesday, February 17 - Ash Wednesday
- Online Resources will be available for every type of session by clicking this button
Classes: Begia October 20 and 21, 2020 with our Opening Session Family Faith Night in the church proper where it is set up for safe, social distancing.
Theme for 2020-2021: Persevere!: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" -Philippians 4:13:
Family Faith Night: Our next Family Faith Night for 2020-2021 is April 6 and 7 in the church proper where it is set up for safe, social distancing. For more about Family Faith Nights, click Family Faith Night.
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Communion): First Communion Mass registration for this year's Grade 2 and Discover children is now closed. Watch for an email confirmation of your date and Mass time by the end of March. If you did not get a chance to register, contact Mary Ann Marschall at 763-762-7406 or maryannmarschall@saintvdp.org. - Monthly Family Faith Nights for children and parents
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2020 - 2021 Dates
Grades 1-6 Faith Formation begins October 20 and 21, 2020 with the Opening Session Familiy Faith Night in the church proper where it is set up for safe, social distancing. For the 2020-2021 Grades 1-6 Faith Formation Calendar: click here.
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Program Overview and Class Focus by Grade
Grades 1-6 Faith Formation Program:
The aim of catechesis (faith formation) is to foster communion with Jesus Christ that empowers the children to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. The program at St. Vincent de Paul involves four main parts this year: monthly Family Faith Nights, monthly virtual classes, online supported home study sessions, and catechist and classroom assistant training. Click here the general schedule for Grades 1-6 Faith Formation.
Curriculum: Alive In Christ by Our Sunday Visitor:
Scope and Sequence: Alive In Christ follows a systematic Scope and Sequence organized around key themes of Catholic teaching that repeat each year within a grade-level focus, building ont the child's knowledge of the faith at each developmental stage.
Foundational Themes of the Faith: The seven essential, foundational themes of the faith - Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, The Church, Morality, Sacraments, and Kingdom of God - provide the structural framework that organizes the content of the grade level. The themes of our Family Faith Nights also connect to these seven foundational themes . Progressing from the first to the sixth grade level, the child deepens understanding as he or she is presented content that is theologically precise and developmentally appropriate.
Catholic Prayers and Practices: As part of the curriculum, each grade level focuses on learning Catholic prayers and practices as appropriate to the child's development.
Curriculum Focus by Grade Level: Links to the grade level lesson schedules for the 2020-2021 Faith Formation year are in the chart below.Prayers and Practices to Learn by Grade Level
Grade 1 Jesus Christ: Who Jesus Is, Jesus' Love; Who God Is; What the Church Is; Church Seasons; Basic Prayers Grade 2 Sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist: Jesus in the Seven Sacraments; Following Jesus; Law of Love Sin/Sorrow; Reconciliation; Eucharist and the Mass; Church Seasons; Prayers Schedule Grade 3 The Church: Jesus as Friend; The Holy Spirit and the Trinity; Community and Parish; Mass Parts; Mission of the Church; Marks of the Church; Church Seasons; Prayers Schedule Grade 4 The Moral Life: Jesus' Call to Live the Ten Commandments; Beatitudes, and Works of Mercy; Prayers and Practices Grade 5 The Seven Sacraments: Jesus and the Trinity; How the Trinity Relates to the Seven Sacraments; the Mass; the Call to Serve; the Liturgical Year; Prayers and Practices Grade 6 The Word of God in the Old Testament (Bible): How Jesus Connects to and Fulfills the Old Testament; the Early Church; Baptized for Service and Mission; the Communion of Saints; Prayers and Practices Schedule -
"Alive in Christ" Online Resources
For Children and Parents/Guardians: Home session plans, people of faith activities,interactive reviews, and games are available online for each chapter that your child is studying in class. This is an excellent way for you and child to work together to share faith, review key lesson concepts and/or to study for a test.
For Parents/Guardians: Articles and videos are available online to foster a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith.Click on http://aliveinchrist.osv.com/family
Click - In the Home and Grade Level for Home Session Plans and People of Faith Activities
Click - Interactive Reviews and Grade Level for Interactive Chapter Reviews
Click - Games and Grade Level for Lesson Related Games and Activities
Click - Adult Learning for Articles and Videos for a Deeper Understanding of the Catholic Faith -
Special Needs
The National Directory for Catechesis states that: “All persons with disabilities have the capacity to proclaim the Gospel and to be living witnesses to its truth within the community of faith and offer valuable gifts. Their involvement enriches every aspect of Church life” (no. 49).
Faith Formation/Sacraments
Students with disabilities are included in Faith Formation classes with their same-age peers. If needed, a classroom assistant is provided to assist those students. Parents may be classroom assistant if they would like. Adaptive curriculum for sacramental preparation is available.
Students with Physical Disabilities
Accommodations will be made for students with physical disabilities.
For students who have difficulty learning in a regular classroom setting
Faith Formation classes at the student’s level will be available.