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Commissions - Faith Formation


St. Mary's has an extensive religious education program, from preschool through young adults to adult education. The goal is to provide guidance in a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith, sacraments, traditions, and spiritual growth. To archive this goal, members of the Faith Formation Commission will strive to:

  • Provide retreats for children and adults, both catechists (Religious Education teachers) and non-catechists.
  • Provide educational opportunities for catechists to enable them to achieve Certified Catechist, Youth Ministry, Director of Religious Education (DRE) and Coordinator of Religious Education (CRE) levels.
  • Provide a team of teachers for all age level programs.
  • Have in place an Adult Religious Education Program that takes place simultaneously with the Religious Education (RE) and Youth Ministry Programs. This is currently being developed and classes will be offered during Oct., Nov., Dec., and the Lenton season.
  • Expand the Adult Faith Sharing Program, which takes place Thursday nights at 7:30 PM.
  • Develop a means of measuring the general knowledge of the students to assure they are obtaining the basic foundations of the Catholic Church and the Sacraments.
  • Live the faith through community action.

Commission members consist of the DRE, catechists, youth group members and parishioners. Meetings are held once a month on the first Saturday from 8-9:30 AM, or as needed. For more information please call Julie Agne at 624-2228 (church) or 624-2767 (home).

Ministries

  • Pre-school/Kindergarten (Age 5-K): This involves helping children with crafts and story telling about learning to love God and learning about His gifts.
  • General Religious Education (Grades 1,3): This program guides age appropriate lessons/prayers that follow the textbook curriculum.
  • First Communion (Grade 2): This program prepares students for the Sacraments of First Communion and Reconciliation.
  • Discovering Discipleship (Grade 5-8): A ministry including religious education, retreats, service, and social activities.
  • Confirmation (Grade 9): This program prepares students for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
  • Youth Group (Grades 10-12): This involves helping students understand their relationship with the Church and preparing them to be adult Catholic Christians.

All RE classes are held Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:30 PM throughout the school year in the St. Mary's Auditorium, Library, and Youth Center.

Peer Ministry is an important concept of our retreats. This concept introduces the students into taking an active role in their Baptismal promise of Stewardship and Evangelization.

  • Retreats for Adults: Adult retreats are offered through different parishes and organizations within our Diocese. An example is the Knights of Columbus retreat, which is offered to members of this organization. Plans to offer other retreats for youth and adults in the parish are in the early planning stages. As more space becomes available, it is hoped that St. Mary's and other parishes can utilize the space as a retreat center.
  • Christian Experience Weekend (CEW): This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience of renewal by which Christianity can permeate, live and grow in today's world. It proposes no new type of spirituality but a method through which one's spirituality can be strengthened, live and shared in all areas of one's environment. Men and women make separate CEW's. For information call 624-2228.
  • Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults/Children (RCIA & RCIC): This process is offered to people who wish to learn more about Catholicism, grow in their faith and/or join the Catholic Church. A team of catechists work directly with the candidates as they travel on their faith journey. Additional catechists who have the desire to share their faith with others are needed. Flexible time commitment. The RCIA group meets once a week for approximately 90 minutes. In the RCIA process candidates and catechumens have sponsors who accompany them on their faith journey. Sponsors attend weekly meetings and support the person they are sponsoring. Their role as a liaison to the Catholic community helps the candidate/catechumen feel more welcome in our parish. Sponsors are needed. If you are interested, call Father Wilkening at 624-2228.
  • Rosaries and pop can money for China: This is a 6th grade project, which introduces the children to the missions and an understanding that in many countries one's Christian faith is never taken for granted. Money is collected from pop cans that have been deposited for recycling. Later in the year they will learn how to pray the rosary and will make rosaries. The rosaries and pop can money will be sent to China through a contact in Ohio.
  • Christmas Gifts for Solon Care Center: This is a parish wide project where members can purchase small gifts for residents at the care center. The 7th grad students collect the gifts and distribute them to the residents while visiting them.