What is the goal and mission of Family Catechesis in Parish Religious Education and Faith Formation?

• help families learn how to pray and to discuss their faith together
• help parents better understand their role as primary catechists
• bring families together in order to share and deepen their Catholic faith
• strengthen the relationship between the family and the Church
• establish ongoing Catholic faith practices within the family life
• integrate the family into the parish community

• Children grades  1 - 8 will use the website, CatholicBrain.com for scheduled lessons. The time of completion is flexible but note all work must be completed and submitted before any sacraments are celebrated.  Each child should have a Faith Folder to keep completed work together. The online work and worksheet activities should be complete and handed in at church on the following dates:

• Families will be living their faith in hands-on ways as well as experiencing God in special ways. Service opportunities will be posted throughout the year for families to sign up and participate in together. We have a spotlight on the family on our website as you share pictures of your family living out the faith or participating in special activities. We also will share, with your permission, on our Facebook and Instagram pages. 

• Parents of first graders will be given the book A Well-Built Faith, by best-selling Catholic author, Joe Paprocki. Each chapter gives a brief overview of the Pillars of our Faith providing information to guide and share your faith more effectively as Catholic parents, the first teachers of faith. An introduction to Faith Formation will be offered early in the school year for parents and first graders.

• Families of children in grades 5, 6. 7, 8 are invited to attend the all new "Chosen Camp" with a parent in August or attend it as an 8 week program on Sunday evenings. If choosing this option, no Catholic Brain online work is required, however, all sacramental work and sessions are required and 5 tth & 6th grade families still have 8 family activities to complete throughout the year.

•  Required Family INTERACTIVE Museum Experiences will be offered throughout the year for you to explore our Catholic Faith in a fun, hands-on way. The first one is in September will be all about the Mass. The second will be offered in December to help you prepare for the Seasons of Advent and Christmas. A third will help to prepare for Lent and Easter. More to come!

• During the Summer months you may complete online lessons and review with your children at a relaxed pace. Each child’s efforts are tracked in a student account which will also serve as an attendance record.  Note:  Each student & 1 parent in the household  MUST have their own Catholic Brain account.  We will be tracking Quiz results, activity & attendance for each student registered.

• As a main component of our program of study, it is expected that you live out your faith by regularly attending mass here at St. Stephen’s or another Catholic church. The MASS is the reason we study our faith! 

• Families with children in grades 2, 7 & 8 will have required activities/sessions in addition to the online program. These sessions will be in person as safety permits. It is our goal to provide you with the best opportunity to renew your faith and grow as a family of God while preparing your child to receive the sacraments.