Faith Formation Home

To assist parents in creating a strong Catholic foundation, where our young will KNOW, LOVE, & SERVE God, and have a thirst to always grow:

•  in their FAITH, HOPE, & LOVE;
•  in their UNDERSTANDING OF CHURCH TEACHINGS, and;
•  in their PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST.

Faith Formation (Religious Education & Youth Ministry) at St. Mary’s is offered for families, and students in grades K-12, from late September to the end of April. In addition to our Regular Programs (Family Catechesis: Sundays from 11:05am-12:15pm OR K-12 Age-Level Classes: Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm) to assist in a child’s ongoing Religious Education, we also offer 2 year – Sacramental Preparation Classes for 1st Sacraments (Reconciliation & Eucharist), and Confirmation. 
For 2020-21, we are offering in-person and on-line regular & sacramental prep classes, with various precautions and smaller class sizes.

Registration for the 2021-22 year will begin late Spring 2021.

• First Gathering: Materials and topics are presented. Ideas for learning, prayer, and living out the faith are explained and encouraged.
• 2nd Gathering: Families share with and encourage each other, followed by activies to reinforce the monthly topics.

• Kindergarten: Spirit & Truth from Sophia Institute
• Grades 1-6: Faith & Life Series from Ignatius Press

We are here for you! Every step, and every stage. Every struggle, obstacle, and heartache. Every joy and every milestone. We will walk with you, support you, and remind you in every way that you are loved, and a precious CHILD OF GOD!

Questions?
Contact St. Mary's Director of Religious Education
Bernadette Wagner (Mrs. Berna)
503-845-4282
religioused@stmarymtangel.org 

Coronavirus has thrown us all for a loop this year.  Some have described these last  months to me as, “a really long Spring Break.”  While a break is a wonderful way to take a step back from the busyness of life, too much tends to make people itch for action.  Many are out of work, and the whole country seems to be struggling financially, adding extra stress to families.  Others are trying to figure out how to provide childcare while they work whenever they can, because they can’t afford not to.  Even being quarantined with family, polls have shown that a large number of people feel isolated and alone.  This social isolation, while helpful to avoid the spread of germs, has hit us in our very core.  We are social beings; we are meant for community.  Even with connecting online for distance learning and Zoom chats just isn’t the same.  Here at St. Mary’s, we hear you.  We hear the struggle.  We hear the need.  And so, we are happy to provide, with several safety measures, in-person gathering opportunities for families and youth this year.

Sundays: Recognizing the need for families to learn about and grow in faith together, we are no longer providing separate age level classes on Sundays.  Instead, we are offering family catechesis in the Parish Center after the 10 am Mass two Sundays per month.  Families will learn together and have the opportunity to live out our Catholic faith in action through the Family of Faith program.  We are very excited about this new opportunity.  While our numbers are limited right now due to gathering restrictions, be sure to let us know if you’re interested so we can add you to the waitlist.  We would love to see all families there!

Wednesdays: For those that still want age-level classes, we’ve got you covered.  Wednesday evening has been the traditional “youth group” night in many denominations for several years, and we are taking Wednesday back and claiming it for God once again.  Jr. High and High School youth groups will meet twice per month (usually the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays of the month) from 6:30 – 8:00 pm in the Parish Center Upper Level.  This space will allow us to still gather together in community, while adhering to physical distancing guidelines.  This year we are focusing on our relationship with Jesus through the Alpha program, and diving deeper into faith and life with small groups.

Please note: Masks or face shields are required at all of our in-person gatherings.

Questions?
Contact St. Mary's Director of Youth Ministry
Katie Beaubien Franchini
503-845-4279
youthministry@stmarymtangel.org