Religious Education at St. Mary and St. Joseph

FF K-6 Program

Family Formation Program

St. Mary and St. Joseph, in a combined effort, provide religious education for families with children in Kindergarten through sixth grade using the Family Formation program. This program follows the three-year liturgical cycle, is faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church, is driven by Sacred Scripture, and references the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It covers all tenets of our Catholic Faith.

What is unique about Family Formation.....
It is a shift from weekly classes at each Parish to a monthly session for children and parents from both Parishes. On the first Wednesday of the month, the children gather with a teacher by grade while the parents receive catechesis about the monthly topic and pick up their lesson packet. This packet contains 3-4 weekly at-home lessons for the month.
When are classes?
The first Wednesday of the month, October through May, 6:00-7:30 p.m. However, in mid September there is an orientation meeting for parents while the children go through the Circle of Grace (the Diocesan Safe Environment Training). Please see the Schedule tab.
Where are the classes held?
Christian Life Academy, 222 Tremont St., Hopedale.

What is the cost?
$35 per family (this is a change from the $20 per child fee assessed in previous programs)

How do I start?
Register your family by completing the registration form. See the Registration Form tab or pick up a paper registration in the back of either church.
How will I know how to use the packet.....
A link to the Family Formation instruction video will be emailed to you each month following class. Also, each lesson is written at an elementary level but with adult level instructions. You don't have to be experts in the Faith, just willing to devote about an hour a week to quality family time in sharing the Faith.

I'm already too busy!
We know young families are busy. The weekly lessons can be adapted to your own family schedule. If you read through the lesson, you already know more than your children and you can work these lessons into your daily schedule throughout the week. It could be as simple as saying, "I was reading through the lesson and did you know that (fill in the blank). I didn't know that!" That is a teaching moment.
Visit the Family Formation website to learn more about the Family Formation program.

FF 2024-25 Schedule

Family Formation Schedule and Topics for 2024-2025

All classes begin at 6:00 p.m. Adults and students meet at the Christian Life Academy, 222 Tremont Street, Hopedale.

September 18 (Tentative)
Family Formation Orientation and Circle of Grace Instruction

Family Formation Classes Begin
October 2
You've Got Mail! (The Bible: God's Love Letter to You)
November 6
See You at the Finish Line (The Final Coming)
December 4
Cross My Heart! (The Lord Keeps His Promises)
January 8
A Match Made in Heaven (The Sacrament of Matrimony)
February 5
The Trinity: Now That's a Mystery
March 5
The Clean Sweep (The Sacrament of Reconciliation)
This is ASH WEDNESDAY. Classes will begin following the 5:30 Mass at St. Joseph. Students should go directly to class upon arriving at CLA as there won't be an opening with Fr. Horton.
April 2
O Most Holy Week
May 7
On This Rock, I Will Build My Church

Confirmation

confirmation preparation

St. Mary and St. Joseph, in a combined effort, provide Confirmation preparation for our youth in a two-year program beginning with 7th Grade. We use a small group approach utilizing resources from YDisciple in tandem with classroom catechesis based on the preparation elements as defined by the Diocese of Peoria. There are normally two small group gatherings and one catechesis class per month.
What is unique about the small group approach.....
It is a shift from lecturing and viewing videos to apprenticing. While there are still videos used the focus is on mentoring in the Christian life and helping them develop spiritual discipline. Teens are grouped by gender to encourage open discussions.

In a small group a teen can feel known, loved and cared for. A level of confidentiality can be achieved which gives teens the freedom to open up about their struggles and doubts. In a small group there is the greater possibility to catch the things that teens don't understand and have a discussion. In addition, the small group allows the leader to know their disciples well and thus be able to customize the topics of discussion that best reach those teens.

When and where are the 3 classes?
Class # 1: The first Wednesday of the month, October through May, 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Christian Life Academy, 222 Tremont St., Hopedale. However, in mid September there is an orientation meeting for parents while your teen goes through the Circle of Grace (the Diocesan Safe Environment Training). Please see the FF Schedule tab for dates. This class is the first small group gathering for the month.

Class # 2: The date, time and location of the 2nd small group gathering is coordinated by the mentor, working with the teens' schedules.

Class #3: This is the catechesis class. It is held in the Meadows Room at Hopedale Commons following the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass at St. Joseph. See the Confirmation Catechesis Schedule tab for dates.

What is the cost?
Each teen will be initially required to purchase a Bible Kit. These normally run $50.

How do I start?
Complete the registration form. See the Registration Form tab. If you have children in the Family Formation program (K-6) your Confirmation child can be included on the same registration.

Confirmation Catechesis Schedule 2024-25

confirmation catechesis schedule and topics for 2024-25

All classes are held in the Meadows Room at Hopedale Commons following the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass at St. Joseph.

October 13
Getting to Know You
Sign of the Cross (Explanation)

November 10
What Can we Know about God
Our Father

December 8
Why the World is Broken
Hail Mary

January 12
Jesus - More than a Mere Man
Glory Be

February 9
Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
Before Meal Prayer/After Meal Prayer

March 9
The Resurrection
Nicene Creed

April 13
In Search of the Holy Spirit

St. Michael Prayer
(Version used by Father Horton for consistency)

Registration Form

Religious Education 2024-2025

All families, from both St. Mary and St. Joseph, participating in any of the religious education programs, must register their children each year. Print and complete the Religious Education Registration form.
Religious Education Registration

Printed forms can be mailed to the office at St. Mary's, PO Box 769, Delavan, IL 61734 or drop in the collection basket at Mass. Email electronic forms to [email protected].

The Family Formation registration fee is $35 per family. Make checks payable to St. Isidore, write CCD in the memo line, and forward to the Parish office.
Confirmation students have a one time fee of $50 to cover the cost of their Bible Kit. This will be coordinated upon entering the program.

The Catholic Community of

St. Isidore the Farmer

Religious Education at St. Mary and St. Joseph

Family Formation Program

Family Formation Schedule and Topics for 2024-2025

confirmation preparation

confirmation catechesis schedule and topics for 2024-25

Religious Education 2024-2025