Faith Formation Grades 1-6

We have openings for catechists for Grades 1 - 6!
Find out more 

Faith Formation OneDrive Cloud

Alive In Christ

Preparing the Sunday Gospel:

• ​​​​​​​Sunday, March 15, 2020 Third Sunday of Lent, John 4:5-15, 19b-26, 39a, 40-42

• 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 10^th grade or older). 

Classroom Assistants: Classroom Assistants may be an adult or young person.  

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:  Opens on Thursday, September 10.  Watch for an email and letter with details.  Registration will close September 18 so register early.  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: Begin 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 first Family Faith Night for 2020-2021 is October 20 and 21 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): To enroll your child to prepare to receive First Reconciliation, and later First Eucharist (Communion), parents must attend one of the First Reconciliation Parent Enrollment meetings scheduled for November 10 and 11.  Watch for further information in October.  The U.S Bishops ask that children be prepared for First Reconciliation before being prepared for First Eucharist (Communion).   Click here for more information.

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.

Faith Formation registration 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 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

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

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.