Introducing our Faith Formation Staff
(978) 251-8571/ 256-2374

Heather Hannaway, Director of Faith Formation, ext 226
Courtney Callanan, MA, Asst Dir of Faith Formation & Youth Minister, ext 227
Elaine Kindler, Faith Formation Coordinator, ext 216
Lynn Anne LaDuke, Faith Formation Coordinator, ext 240

We are excited to start another Faith Formation year with you!

As with many things in the world right now, faith formation is going to look a little different this year. However, one thing that has not and will never, change is our dedication to helping your family grow in their Catholic Faith. This year we are going to be focusing primarily on building up the Domestic Church.

You may be wondering, what is the Domestic Church? The Domestic Church is “the Church living in the midst of the homes of her sons and daughters” (Christifideles Laici, 26). In other words, most of the Church is not found in parish buildings or activities, but in family homes and goings-on. Therefore, our primary goal this year will be to help families incorporate faith into their day-to-day lives.

We realize that the program for this year is new, will take some getting use to, and that questions will arise as we go along. Below we have outlined some of the most common questions we have received thus far. Please also know that while it may not be possible to connect in person as we have in the past, we are still committed to helping our families feel connected to our parishes. Several ways of staying connected have been built into this year’s program, but if you ever feel you need a little more support or help please to do not hesitate to reach out.

We look forward to another year of growing closer to the Lord together. 

• How do I make sense of my Pizza Box?
• Why is so much of the program being done at home this year? 
• Are there no classes this year? 
• What are Discipleship Groups and who should be participating? 
• What should we be doing? 
• What if we need help?  

Why is so much of the Program being done at Home this Year?

The reasoning for our home-based program this year is two-fold. First, and most obviously, is the COVID-19 pandemic. Early on it became quite clear that we did not have the space in our facilities to safely accommodate an in-person program nor were parents by-in-large comfortable with bringing their families to church in this environment. Second, and perhaps more importantly, given this restraint we are taking the opportunity to strengthen the Domestic Church by providing parents the resources and support they need to truly fulfill their role as the “primary and irreplaceable catechists of their children.” (Christifideles Laici, 34) 

Are There No Classes This Year? 

After hearing from many parents about the stress resulting from virtual school it was decided not to further burden our families with virtual faith formation classes. Families with children in Grades 3-6 will simply be asked to focus 3 faith fundamentals: praying together, celebrating Mass together, connecting the life of the family with the life of the Church. Families with children in 1st & 2nd grade will have some additional learning to do associated with 1st Eucharist preparation and families with children in Grades 7 and up will be asked to complete the curriculum generally done in those grades at-home, at their own pace.     

What are Discipleship Groups and Who Should be Participating? 

Discipleship Groups are a chance for parents to come together and support one another as they each work to pass on the Faith to their children. Discipleship Group Mentors will also provide guidance and assistance to their groups. At least one parent (but both are welcome and encouraged to attend) should be attending their assigned group each month. If we do not have enough people come forward to be Discipleship mentors, that responsibility will be shared among the parents of each small group. Training, talking points and other resources for these meetings will be provided. 

What Should We Be Doing?  

Please see the below outline regarding the expectations for each grade level. More detailed instructions regarding all these expectations can be found in the provided Building the Domestic Church: Uniting the Heart of the Church with the Heart of the Home, Introduction and Expectations.  

    ALL Families 

• Every day: Pray together as a family using the provided monthly prayer journals
• Every week: Celebrate and reflect on Mass as a family using the provided Celebrating Sunday for Catholic Families 
• Every month: Parent(s) participate in assigned Discipleship Group 

    1st& 2nd Grade Families 

• Everything outlined in the ALL Families section 
• Engage in 8 Deep Dives as a family over the course of the year 
• Learn and Understand the Basic Catholic Prayers in the prayer logs 
• Fill out “My Holy Mass Worksheet” each time you attend or LIVEVIEW Mass 
• Gr. 2 -work through the grade 2 Syllabus and Blessed Sacramental Prep. Videos 

    3rd-6th Grade Families 

• Everything outlined in the ALL Families section  
• Engage in 8 Deep Dives as a family over the course of the year 

    7th& 8th Grade Families 

• Everything outlined in the ALL Families section 
• Parent(s) and youth should complete the Altaration curriculum together, see provided syllabus for more details 
• Engage in 4 Deep Dives, at least two should be done as a family 

    Confirmation I and II

• Everything outlined in the ALL Families section 
• Confirmation candidates should work through the Chosen curriculum on their own, checking-in with parent(s) when each Lesson is completed, see provided syllabus for more details 
• Engage in 2 Deep Dives over the course of the year, at least one should be done as a family 

What If We Need Help?

If you have a question, need support or guidance, etc. there are several ways to reach out for help. 

• Ask in your Discipleship Group- These groups are designed as a monthly opportunity for parents to ask questions and support one another. 
• Check with your Discipleship Mentor- Mentors are willing and able to provide help to the families in their groups. 
• Attend virtual Office Hours- Each grade level will have office hours where faith formation staff will be available to answer questions, offer advice, etc.
• Contact the Faith Formation Staff- The Faith Formation staff is always eager to assist our families on their journeys of faith  

How do I make sense of my Pizza Box?