...and so goes the whole world in which we live. --St. John Paul II
Ste. Marie Parish Family Faith Formation
Sunday Mass & the Practice of the Faith
The essential first components to faith formation in families include:
Regular Weekly Participation at Sunday Masses & Holy Day Masses
Confession throughout the year
Daily prayer/devotions at home
The practice of stewardship (sharing time, talent and treasure)
Our aim is to help families to:
Grow in Faith. Growing in relationship to Christ and His Church is a life-long process.
Be strengthened and build community. We need strong faithful families and families need one another for support and fellowship.
Equip their children to develop a life-long relationship with the Lord. The life of faith and a relationship with Christ is the most valuable gift we can give our children. When they leave home with this gift we can be confident that we have provided them with the best and all that they need to get to Heaven.
Overview of Family Catechesis
Parents/older children attend a catechetical teaching offered monthly that lays the foundation for the teachings they will do with their children at home. You may choose to attend on Sunday (10:30am – 11:20am).
Parents & Students Activity books are provided for families. Parents are equipped to teach the lesson to their children at home. The monthly required Adult Theology Teaching presented by a professional catechist and the Teacher Guide walk you through the children's lessons.
We follow a four-year curriculum cycle. There is a parent book with lessons and activities to choose from along with an activity book for the children. Parents choose the activities that are most appropriate for their children according to age and maturity.
Families meet once a month for a community meeting for faith-based, fun activities and social time.
Above all, we encourage and provide guidance and resources for developing a culture of daily prayer and Catholic Living in the home.
How does Family Catechesis fit in with a homeschool curriculum or a Catholic Schooling Family?
We invite and encourage all families to participate in our community meetings and our catechetical teachings. We understand you may not need additional home lessons but we appreciate and are grateful to have families come together once a month for our community meetings so they can get to know one another and support one another. So, no additional homework – just register as a home school/Catholic schooling family and join us for community time once a month!
Youth grades 7-12
Are encouraged to attend the Theology Sundays or Wednesdays with their parents.
Attend Youth Group offerings including XLT , Bible Studies and weekly gatherings
Our Cathechists
Fr. Moe Larochelle-Pastor of Ste. Marie Parish, priest for 33 years for the Diocese of Manchester.
Rachael Keena-is a catechist with a Master’s degree in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville and over 15 years of experience teaching the Catholic Faith. Her experience includes giving talks at schools, parishes, and retreat centers; directing Catholic retreats for middle schoolers, teens, and young adults; leading both Catholic and inter-faith bible studies; leading Catholic young adult college programs; and teaching RCIA classes. She has a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and has spent time conducting pro-life adult stem cell research and giving talks on the unity of faith and science. She and her husband Justin, two year old son Isaac, and one year old daughter Davy are members of Ste. Marie Parish.
Preparation for Sacraments may begin at the age of 5 or 6 depending on the maturity of the child
Please see the Sacramental Preparation Guidelines for each Sacrament and complete the Request for Sacramental Preparation for your child.