Please use this as a guide of St. Luke's Faith Formation;
we are under construction and some of these details may change. 
Please be patient while we make the necessary changes here! 
The Registration Form is current and you may register your student at this time.
Thank You

ELEMENTARY FAITH FORMATION AT ST. LUKE

Open to all K-5th graders!

From September to May, we meet most Sunday mornings from 9:45-10:45am.
(between 8:30am & 11am Sunday Masses)
Please refer to the calendar above for specific dates and continue reading for more information about what we do.
 

Why Faith Formation

Faith formation is a life-long process that begins with Baptism and continues in every aspect of our lives. Parents, as the first and primary catechists of your children, we ask that you partner with us (the parish) to provide a place where the faith of our children can grow and be nourished.

Catechesis and evangelization are our primary goals in Elementary Faith Formation. "The word catechesis comes from the Greek meaning 'to echo the teaching', meaning that catechesis or the teaching of the faith is an interactive process in which the Word of God re-sounds between and among the proclaimer, the one receiving the message, and the Holy Spirit!” (Catholic News Agency).

This means that in Faith Formation we not only learn about God and His Church, we foster a relationship with God and His Church. Children grow in knowledge of their faith, the Liturgy, and the Sacraments, and they begin laying a moral foundation based on Christ and His teachings. On a higher level, children learn to pray with God the Father, Son, and Spirit; they learn to actively participate in parish community; and they learn to be missionaries for Christ outside of the parish.
 

Elementary Faith Formation Information

Elementary Faith Formation, for Kindergarteners through 5th graders, meets on most Sunday mornings during the traditional school year (Labor Day through Mother's Day). Classes are from 9:45-10:45am, between the Sunday Masses. Parents drop-off and pick-up their child(ren) directly from the classroom.

Here at St. Luke, we use the Faith and Life Series by Ignatius Press. "The Faith and Life Third Edition series presents Catholic teaching using the time-tested ecclesial methodology and spiral development of catechesis, in a beautiful, student-friendly, comprehensive format (Faith and Life)." More specifically, each class uses one of the following:

• Kindergarten - Word of Life (Augustine Institute | Ignatius Press)
• 1st Grade - Our Heavenly Father | Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press)
• 2nd Grade - Jesus Our Life | Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press)
• 3rd Grade - Our Life with Jesus | Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press)
• 4th Grade - Jesus Our Guide | Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press)
• 5th Grade - Credo: I Believe | Faith and Life Series (Ignatius Press)

For those who desire to participate in our online option, Ignatius Press partners with "My Catholic Faith Delivered" to provide an interactive version of Faith and Life Series. In an email from MCFD, each student will receive their login to access their specific grade's content. The Faith Formation office tracks each student's progress to make sure all content is completed. Please email our Faith Formation Assistant (Katja) if you have any questions about your login or online lessons.

Ignatius Press has a guide for parents to use at home, to help in getting things up and running with their online content. Please access this document by clicking on the link below, but don't hesitate to contact the Faith Formation office if you still need further support!.

There is no online option for Kindergarten, but registered families who choose to do Faith Formation at home this year with their kindergartener may pickup workbooks from the Faith Formation office.
 

Requirements of Sacramental Prep First/Second Grades
Enrollment in Faith Formation is required for reception of First Reconciliation and First Communion. In the Diocese of Raleigh, sacramental preparation is a two-year process. Therefore, in order to receive the sacraments in 2nd grade, all children should be enrolled in Faith Formation in 1st grade. Remember, Faith Formation is a life-long process, and the reception of the sacraments is not a graduation or an ending of formation. Therefore, we offer continuing catechesis for all children through high school and encourage everyone to attend.

PARISH First Holy Communion REQUIREMENTS

The mission is to more actively engage our youth during their time of Sacramental preparation.

Attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.

Please be sure in these years of preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion that your family is remaining close to the sacraments, especially through regular (weekly) participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This is our highest form of worshipping the one, true God, who is all good and deserving of all our love, and your child(ren) are preparing to complete their initiation into this sacred mystery. Please witness to your child(ren) and actively participate in all parts of the Mass. Your example will stick with your child(ren) for the rest of their lives.
We are currently using the honor system for tracking your Mass attendance. Since these Sacraments are a priority to your youth, then we trust you will make Mass and a relationship with the Lord a priority. If, however, we see that Mass attendance is irregular, we will institute a weekly Mass reflection to verify attendance.

Attend the Sacramental Retreats and Liturgies.

These retreats are only for parents and youth in Year 2 of preparation:

• First Reconciliation Retreat - Saturday, October 29th from 10-11:30am

• First Holy Communion Retreat - Saturday, March 25th from 9:30am*-12pm (*different from calendar - this includes the Annunciation Mass)

These liturgies are for families and youth in Year 2 of preparation: 
(youth in Year 1 are welcome to attend to witness what they are preparing for)

• First Reconciliation Liturgy - Saturday, December 10th at 10am

• First Holy Communion Mass - Saturday, May 6th at 9:30am

*Extenuating circumstances may be taken into consideration. Please speak with the Director of Faith Formation as needed.

Complete 10 devotional challenges/activities.

For 2022-2023, Devotion Journal submissions are due Sunday, April 30th. 

List of Devotional Challenges/Activities
Devotion Journal Online
Devotion Journal Print-out

Better catechesis of our youth includes a better understanding of all aspects of the Catholic Church. Youth will choose from a (far from comprehensive) list of special Masses to attend, specific devotions or prayers, Scripture challenges, stories of Saints, etc. – all to facilitate a deeper understanding and/or encounter with our God, the Trinity. 

Youth will need to choose 10 different challenges/activities throughout the year and will need to submit a reflection for each.

Youth may not submit multiple reflections for the same challenge/activity – i.e. If a youth attends Adoration every Friday, they are encouraged to continue attending Adoration every Friday! For their First Holy Communion requirement, however, they may only use Adoration as 1 of their 10 devotional challenges/activities.

Youth may submit reflections for devotional challenges/activities that are not on the list provided. Whether the devotional counts toward their 10 is at the discretion of our First Holy Communion catechists. If the devotional is approved, it will be added to the list for future years. If it is not approved, youth will be notified in class and via email.

All youth registered for the parish class: Attend at least 20 of 24 classes. 

The Advent Activity and Service Activity are included in the count of classes. Youth who have 4 or more absences will be contacted individually.
If children are receiving catechesis at home, parents need to submit their curriculum to the Faith Formation Office upon registration: Registration for At-Home Catechesis.