Faith Formation 2017 2018 At a Glance 27 Baptisms (ages 0-3) 14 First Communions (ages 7-11) 9 Confirmations (ages 13-16) 114 Children and Teens on Sunday Mornings 27 Preschool Kindergarteners 9 First Graders 14 Second Graders 11 Third Graders 5 Fourth Graders 8 Fifth Graders 6 Sixth Graders 11 Seventh Graders 8 Eighth Graders 15 9 th 12 th Graders 25 Children on Wednesday Afternoons 12 Preschool Kindergarten 5 First Graders 2 Second Graders 2 Third Graders 2 Fourth Graders 2 Fifth Graders 20 Children in Children s Liturgy of the Word 30 Adults in Adult Faith Formation on Sunday Mornings 90 Adults in Bible Studies and Small Groups during the Week 13 Adults - Sacraments of Initiation 1 Adult Baptism 9 Baptized Christians were received into the Catholic Church 3 Confirmations (adult Catholics)
Infants, Toddlers and Expectant/New Parents 27 Baptisms (ages 0-3) 17 Couples participated in Baptism Preparation Current offerings: Expectant Parent Packet and Prayer List Baptism Preparation for Parents Family Baptism Prep (ages 2+ or siblings) Parent Letters sent to parents each 6 months from baptism to age 3 Children and Teens Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (ages 3 6 th grade) Levels I, II and III Sunday mornings, 9:30 10:45 a.m. Wednesday afternoons, 3:00 4:45 p.m. 20 catechists (not including substitutes) 28 Sessions (September 2017 May 2018) Teen Faith Formation (7 th 12 th grades) 2 groups (7 th and 8 th graders, 9-12 th graders) 9 catechists Sunday mornings, 9:30 10:45 28+ Sessions (Note: High school teens met additional sessions during the summer.) Liturgical Events for Children/Teens/Families Children s Liturgy of the Word (Most Sundays during 11 Mass) MagnifiKids (every Sunday) Blessing of the Backpacks (August 5-6) Mother s Day Rosary and May Crowning (May 13 ) Middle School Youth (gr. 5-8) in addition to Sunday Mornings Family Gathering (8/13) Youth Fellowship Night (9/23) Room in the Inn Service Project (11/5) High School Youth (gr. 9-12) Sunday mornings Retreat (January 19-21) Additional Prayer, Service and Fellowship Events throughout the year including Wednesday Evenings Mass and Dinner, Dorothy Day House, and Helping with Middle School Youth Fellowship Night 2
First Reconciliation/First Eucharist Preparation for Children 4 Sunday evening sessions with families (in addition to regular Sun/Wed sessions) First Communion Retreat Confirmation Preparation for Teens Sunday Mornings + Confirmation Retreat Bowling Night with Sponsors Room in the Inn Service Project Parents Middle School Family Gathering Back to School Kick Off (August 13) Beginning of Year Parent Meetings (4 options, August - September) The Whole Brain Child: 12 Proven Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive, Amie Sims (Sunday mornings October 22 - November 19) Parent Party (April 5) RCIA 4th Wednesdays in July and August Wednesday evenings, September April Rites of Welcome and Election, Scrutinies on Sunday Mornings Service Project, Room in the Inn (Jan. 7) Individual sessions as indicated Adults Sunday Mornings June 2017 May 2018 1. Mary: A Biblical Walk with the Blessed Mother (June 4 July 30) 2. The Rosary and its Role in the Daily Life of Prayer, Fr. Auggie (June 18) 3. The Joy of the Gospel in America, Sam Mauck (August 13) 4. Discover the Links: From Jesus to the Catholic Church Today, First Three Centuries: Early Church Fathers Sr. Cathy Galaskiewicz OP (September 10 October 8) 5. The Orthodox and Eastern Churches and Modern Christian Churches Fr. Augustine DeArmond OP (October 15 and 22) 6. The Whole Brain Child: 12 Proven Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles, and Help Your Family Thrive, Amie Sims (October 22 - November 19) 7. Answering Common Questions Protestants Have about Catholicism, Laurie Lewandowski (October 29 -November 12) 8. Why Does God Hide Himself? Br. Benedikt Grube OP (Nov. 19) 9. Footprints of God: Jesus (Dec. 3-10) 10. Joseph of Nazareth (Dec. 17) 11. St. Augustine Then and Now, Sr. Cathy (Jan. 7 - Feb. 4) 3
12. Lenten Journey to Joy with St. Thomas Aquinas, Sr. Cathy (Feb. 18 March 25) 13. Fr. Augustus Tolton, Jennie Latta (March 4) 14. Apologetics with Fr. Mike (April 8 June 24) 15. Dr. John Wood (May 6) Adults on Saturday evenings Now and at the Hour: Exploring Aspects of Bereavement, Lowry Whitehorn and Jane Scharding Smedley (Nov. 4 18, 2017) Faith and Reason, Fr. Auggie (Jan. 27, 2018) Women s Bible Studies Monday Mornings o 10 Ladies o Studied Old Testament: Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs Wednesday Evenings o 19 Ladies officially (usually 14-15 present) o Matthew, the Messiah and Old Testament Fulfillment Dr. Brant Pitre (Fall 2017) o Ephesians: Discover your Inheritance Jeff Cavins (Spring 2018) o Retreat on the Gospel of Matthew at St. Meinrad s (Fall 2017) Friday Mornings o 65 names on the list, usually 30 present o Not all St. Peter parishioners, but majority are. A few participants come from other faith traditions. o Jesus Revealed Dr. Paul Thigpen (Fall 2017 and Spring 2018) Young Adults Men and Women s Small Groups o Tuesday Women s Group: 10 people. Topics/studies included: Follow Me (Gospel of John), a study on Mary, Advent study, Lenten Study from Blessed is She, Divine Mercy study from Formed. o Wednesday Women s Group: 7 members, usually 3-5 present. Topics/studies included: Daily devotionals from Blessed Is She (Summer 2017). Ascension Press Gospel of John study (Fall 2017) The Beatitudes and The Virtues studies from Blessed Is She (Spring 2018) o Men s Small Group Panera Midtown on Tuesday mornings. 5-8 people consistently. Discussion: How we live out and share the faith as young adults, and how God has affected our experiences and in our daily life currently. Retreat Understanding the New Evangelization (April 13-15) P4: Prayer, Penance, Preaching + Pub Nights Mixers (Co-ed small groups) Have done 3 so far, 30 people each time. Begins with time to hang out. Someone gives a short reflection and then they split into 3 or 4 small groups to discuss. 4
Men s Bible Study - Thursday evenings 11 Men Topics this year included: 7 Sacraments, church hierarchy, Mary typology in OT, shroud of Turin, ecumenical councils and their doctrines, Jewish roots of Holy Week. Other Offerings Laudato Si Study Monday evenings (Fall, 2017) Fruitful Discipleship Book Study (Fall, 2017) Wednesday Evening Bible Study at St. Peter (Fall, 2017) Lenten Study, Wednesdays A Lent to Remember (Feb. 21 March 21) Matthew Kelly Follow Up (March 17) Parish Mission with Dr. John Wood (May 5-6) Faith Formation On the Go Flocknote/Word on Fire mini-courses Formed EWTN flyers Christmas Books First Time Visitor Gifts Dynamic Catholic Parish Champion Program Lighthouse CD s Best Advent Ever Best Lent Ever (used the Christmas books) Catechists/RCIA Team Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Introductory Workshop (July 13, 2017) Practical Tips for Working with Adults in Bible Studies, Small Groups, RCIA and Adult Formation Classes (Sept. 7) Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level I Formation Course (Saturday mornings 1/Sat. month) Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level II Formation Course (July) Catechist Retreat (November 17-18, 2017) Additional training/formation offered throughout the year for individual catechists (or small groups) Faith Formation Teams Catechists of Children and Teens (36 catechists) Adult Faith Formation Team (15 members) RCIA Team (9 members) Lifelong Faith Formation Team (5 members) 5
Highlights from this Year Based on input from catechists and members of the Adult Faith Formation and RCIA teams Children and Teens Inviting 7 th and 8 th graders to visit the high school group Bowling Night for Confirmation candidates and sponsors 3 Middle School Social Events (Family Kickoff, Fellowship Night, Room In the Inn service project) Adult Faith Formation Sunday mornings - We usually have about 30 participants, and this year s offerings have generated much enthusiasm. Formed and other On the Go Options Small groups and Bible studies Number of options for those seeking faith formation RCIA Hospitality and inclusion: We are welcoming and make everyone feel safe, and receive much positive feedback from the candidates on this aspect of the RCIA program! We form bonds with the participants and strongly encourage them to do the same with each other. Though more help would be welcomed, we have the right mix of talent among the team members who are motivated, bring positive energy, depth and breadth of knowledge, and an ability to reach to different personalities and learning styles. We are flexible, sensitive to the needs of the candidates and never apply a one size fits all approach. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a resource for candidates and showing them how to use it as a tool for their ongoing faith journey Using high quality videos to supplement lectures (Formed, Bishop Barron, Augustine Institute, etc.) has, based on feedback, proven to be popular and invaluable. 6
Challenges/Struggles Children and Teens Attendance Retention: Dynamic Catholic research estimates that 85% of young people getting confirmed are leaving their faith in 10 years. Every year 1.7 million people will be baptized. Of those baptized, 1.4 million will receive their First Communion. Of that same group, only 1 million will go on to be confirmed. By age 22, only 150,000 will remain in the Church. Adult Faith Formation Space limitations on Sunday mornings Wi-Fi in the Crystal Room Attendance of parents whose children are in Sunday morning faith formation Lack of men s programs RCIA Work/school schedules that limit attendance on Wednesday evenings, in fact, there are attendance challenges regardless of the day of the week. Lack of young people on the RCIA Team.many, if not most, of the RCIA candidates are young adults. Convincing non-catholics that we are just like any other church, open to anyone. We are open and welcoming, and it s okay to not be familiar with our style of worship. You don t have to be Catholic to attend Mass. Bottom line, we need to come up with a way where non-catholics will feel comfortable attending a Catholic church, why not begin with ours? Follow-up: Staying in touch with candidates who come to RCIA sessions and then drift away. Staying in touch with newly baptized/confirmed after the Easter Vigil and in the first few years after their reception into the Catholic Church. 7
Faith Formation Vision Infants and Toddlers: Parents of newly baptized children continue formation until the child s First Communion. We offer a variety of formation opportunities for them including small groups, bible studies, catholic studies, online offerings, spirituality of the young child/prayer with the young child, general parenting help, as well as ways for parents to get to know one another and form community. Children: All children continue to participate in formal faith formation in the years between First Communion and Confirmation. Children and parents get to know each other outside Sunday mornings via family gatherings, parent gatherings, parent small groups, etc. Parents are offered consistent seasonal offerings related to their children s formation o family pages handouts o sessions for parents to see atrium presentations, done in location/time so that they can attend and bring friends/relatives who might be interested o integrated sessions, for example Biblical Walk through the Mass with corresponding atrium presentations about the Mass Teens: All teens participate in formal faith formation in the years between Confirmation and high school graduation. In addition they serve in a parish ministry and/or are involved a parish group. After high school graduation, our teens/young adults have a regular habit of prayer, scripture reading, Mass and confession and they seek out a faith community where they will be actively involved. They have an intentional relationship with God and know he loves them and is part of their life. They know that he has called them to love and serve others in a unique way and they actively seek how they will write their blank page. Coming and Going: When families join us, they are welcomed and find it easy to get to know other families at St. Peter Church. If families move to another parish/out of town, their experience at St. Peter s has inspired them to continue faith formation at their new parish. When someone leaves, (or disappears) they don't just drift away. We stay in touch, making sure they are okay, finding out why they left, etc. We maintain communication with our young adults for at least 10 years after Confirmation, letting them know that we care about them and that they are always welcome at St. Peter. 8
Adult Faith Formation: All adults (health and family circumstances permitting) are involved in formal faith formation (Sunday morning, small groups in home, online, etc.) and they each have some sort of social network/support. (Someone who is shepherding/pastoring them, keeping up with them and helps find them support when needed. Example, a small group or Bible study leader) RCIA, Former Catholics, Nones: The entire parish community will take ownership of RCIA ministry, get involved, and embrace both the program and its candidates. Our RCIA program grows to such a point that it touches every single individual in the parish. Everyone knows someone who is and/or was involved in RCIA, and, based on that relationship, is impacted or involved in some way. RCIA candidates continue formal faith formation for at least one year after reception into the Catholic Church. They have a regular habit of prayer, scripture reading, Mass and confession, an intentional relationship with God and know he that he loves them and is part of their life. They recognize that God has given them unique gifts and called them to live out their faith and serve others. The parish staff and/or RCIA Team continues direct communication with RCIA alum for at least 5 years after reception into the Catholic Church. RCIA Inquirers are always received in a welcoming manner: their questions answered, they are plugged into RCIA or whatever is appropriate for their status, communication is maintained until they are ready to leave St. Peter. (We don t just let them drift away and not ask why, and use any information gathered or lessons learned, as applicable, to improve the RCIA program.) We regularly offer formation opportunities for those who have no religious background and are interested in learning more about God, but not necessarily ready for RCIA (Alpha, etc.) We maintain a welcoming atmosphere for Catholics who do not attend Mass regularly or do not practice the Catholic faith anymore, and we offer appropriate formation for those interested. Catechists/RCIA Team Members: Catechists in the atrium have taken (or are in the process of taking) a nationally approved course in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Youth catechists have formation in catechetical methods for teaching teens, and have a basic understanding of themes in CGS and are able to integrate into youth faith formation. (Example, writing your blank page ) Catechists of adults have formation in catechetical methods/best practices for teaching adults. RCIA Team Members have access to resources so they are and remain well equipped for serving in their roles, such as having formation in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults 9
and best practices, as well as ongoing faith formation, spiritual growth and through selfdevelopment. Catechists/RCIA team members are committed to their own faith formation and spiritual growth, and the parish provides ample support and resources for them to do so. Catechists/RCIA team members gather regularly for support and sharing about their observations of the children/teens. We have enough catechists so that catechists may easily take breaks or sabbaticals when desired/needed, and transition from year to year is smooth. Action Steps for this Year Children and Teens Attendance Clarify expectations from both parents and catechists. Offer family kick off events at beginning of year: One for grades 5-8 (like last year) and a separate one for younger children. Catechists can introduce themselves to parents at these events. If parents are absent, catechists follow up and introduce themselves via phone. (Note: High School kick off event is teens only) Catechists (not just DRE) contact parents periodically via Flocknote to stay in touch and let them know what is happening on Sunday. Consider offering adult faith formation targeted to parents on Sunday mornings. Children and Teens Retention: Utilize results of current research and encourage factors that are consistent with a child/teen s later religious faith. Promote importance of parents getting to know other parents and faith formation of young parents. Promote and encourage teen participation (not just for confirmation) Emphasize scripture in faith formation of children and teens as age appropriate Continue to offer religious experiences for middle and high school teens. (Retreats, Steubenville Youth Conference, Diocesan Youth Events, etc.) Teach our teens how to have an intelligent argument about religion. Recognize parishioners who are scientists and invite them to come speak to teens. Invite catechists and parents to consciously think about other ways we can emphasize integration of science and faith (or ways we already do so). Emphasize prayer is an integral component of our children and teen s faith formation. Invite catechists and parents to discuss how we pray with children and teens, so that our young people are comfortable praying at any age. 10
Adult Faith Formation: Encourage and promote Sunday morning faith formation an integral part of the Sunday experience. Promote diocesan events for men. (Ex. Fishers of Men, St. Leo s Lunch) Promote small groups and home Bible studies. Offer guidance in how to be a small group leader/how to lead a Bible study in your home to those who would like to do so. Consider adding one session topics to Sunday morning offerings, including some with a Social Justice/Outreach component, ex. guest speaker from Dorothy Day House. RCIA Add additional team members, one or two more young adults for Wednesday evenings, and others who have flexible schedules or are retired and could work with candidates during the weekday in the event they are unable to attend Wednesday RCIA sessions. Utilize strategies to help non-catholics feel comfortable at St. Peter including: o Publicize a welcome to non-catholics on our website and publish a few positive impact stories regarding how the church continues to benefit the local community and world at large. o Mass Host/Mass Explainer Similar to a greeter to our church. Meets you before Mass begins and sits with you during Mass. Ideally have one of these at each Mass. o Communicate with ushers Make sure they know about the Welcome to our Church booklets to share with newcomers. (Booklet helps navigate the Mass and has simple explanations of what we do and why) If we have the Mass Host person, make sure ushers are on top of who this is and refers people to him/her. 11
Parish Ministries Needed to Support Faith Formation Prayer Ministry Intentional prayers for specific needs (ex. new babies preparing for baptism and their parents, teens being confirmed, etc.) Shoulder to Shoulder (or similar) Parishioners who provide practical assistance to parishioners in need (ex. Holy Rosary Seattle) https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59eba0802278e7f17fea283f/t/5aaacab42b6a28e4542 82da8/1521142452583/Printable+Case+Study+of+Shoulder+to+Shoulder.pdf Would be extremely helpful as way for teens and RCIA candidates to get involved, to mentor with seasoned Catholics to learn how to live our faith helping one another Would also be helpful for ministry to families with new babies Outreach/Social Justice Ministry Would be extremely helpful as way for children, teens and RCIA candidates to get to know other parishioners, to serve one another Not just learning what Jesus said about taking care of the poor, or learning about St. Martin de Porres, but would offer a way to live out what we learn Great way to express Catholic identity for millennials Communications Committee Team of parishioners who are professionals in the area of communications, marketing and social media. Advise DRE, catechists and staff members how to best promote faith formation events, opportunities/needs. Safety Committee Ushers, Virtus facilitators, and other parishioners with experience in this area who work together, coordinating with our paid security guards, to ensure a safe environment for our children and teens On Sunday mornings (and possibly Saturday evenings), adult who staffs a welcome desk and serves also as a hall monitor to keep an eye on things during Mass. (ex. children walking to the bathroom during Mass) Hospitality Help Easter Vigil Reception Baptism Breakfast New Parishioner Welcome Event 12