We recognize a difference between religious education (the dissemination of information for the sake of knowledge) and religious formation (the exploration of information for the sake of understanding). Both methods explore the integral elements of the Faith, however, the context is different for each. Jesus spent his days with the disciples teaching, but it was only after his death and upon reflection that they began to truly understand what His teachings meant in their lives. So it is with us. It is the conversation between the teachings of the Church in relationship to our experiences that forms us as Catholic Christians.

The United States Catholic Bishops prescribe and what St. Cecilia's offers is Faith Formation - content in conversation with our experience.

In a pastoral letter on religious formation entitled, Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, the United States Bishops suggest five ways to support faith formation:

through the liturgy;
through small group study;
through large group study;
through individual study; and
through family or intergenerational study.

At St. Cecilia's Faith Formation is structured around the following groups:

Catechesis of the Good Shephard (CGS) Faith Formation for Children 3-6 years old
K-8th Grade - Faith Formation
9th Grade Confirmation Sessions
6th-12th Grade Youth Group
Adult Faith Formation (this includes high school students!)

Faith Formation Programming for 3-6 year olds

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is the St. Cecilia Faith Formation program for children ages 3-6 years.

What is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

“…this way of religious formation is profoundly biblical and sacramental, and it is, at the same time, deeply respectful of the nature of young children. ” (The Religious Potential of the Child) This international program is based on the conviction that God and the child are in relationship. This relationship is fostered using the Montessori method.

What is the Montessori method?

• Children are taught first by observing and then by doing.

• Children are taught in an ordered environment that encourages self-discipline through detailed modeling.

• The classroom is designed to encourage children to make their own work choices.

• Children are taught at their own pace.

• Questions are encouraged.

Among the lessons included are: events and colors of the liturgical seasons, articles and gestures used during the mass, the sacrament of baptism, the kingdom parables and the parable of the Good Shepherd, prayer, holy land geography, infancy and paschal narratives, and Eater and Pentecost.

This class at St. Cecilia's is held on Sundays from 9:45 – 11:15 beginning in the fall and the enrollment is limited.

More information about the international CGS program can be found on line at www.cgsusa.org . Questions about the St. Cecilia's program should be directed to Ellie Barrett at barrettet@gmail.com

To enroll your 3–6 year old child into the program please contact Ellie Barrett or call the church office for a registration form. This class size is limited.

Kindergarten-8th Grade

At St. Cecilia's, we attempt to support families in forming children's faith through the five means suggested by the Bishops.

Children are encouraged to attend weekly liturgy with their family.
Children meet one Sunday a month after the 10:00 Mass with peers to learn about and discuss the monthly theme drawn from the major themes found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Children meet one Wednesday evening a month in a large group setting to learn about and discuss the monthly themes.
Children and families have a homebased curriculm available to them for individual and household study. Households may choose to purchase a "Family Guide" and grade level apporopriate books, from RCL publishers called "Faith First", to walk them through lessons for children K-8. All households have access to the "Faith First" website.
We encourage all households to make time each month for intentional discussions about faith with their families and friends of all ages, and how it is lived out in and affects their daily life.

If you have questions or would like more information regarding Faith Formation contact Ellie Barrett at barrettet@gmail.com or at 651-644-4502 ext. 23.

Click on Faith Formation Calendar for the current Calendar of events for Faith Formation.

Youth Ministry

All 6th-12th graders, regardless of their enrollment in the faith formation program, are invited to participate in other aspects of our youth ministry program such as:

- Fun Nights - bowling, movie, ice skating, etc...

- Service Days

Christ served, therefore we serve.
Examples: serving a meal at a homeless shelter, painting projects, raking leaves for the elderly, etc...

- Other Annual Activities, including

Parents Night Out in early December
Annual Parish Dinner in March
Living Stations of the Cross during Lent

To print a Blank Permission Slip click here.

For more information on youth activities see the "Youth Ministry" section of the website or contact Cindy Windau at 651-644-4502 x23.

9th Grade Confirmation

Youth are encouraged to prepare for and receive the sacrament of Confirmation when they are in 9th grade. We believe very strongly that youth need to be fully immersed in the community as they prepare for this sacrament. Therefore, our program involves the entire parish community and is done in light of a comprehensive youth ministry program.

Confirmation Preparation Detail:

Candidates meet approximately two times a month on Sundays from 11:15 - 12:30 P.M. for class and other activities.
The program is based on the Confirmed in a Faithful Community curriculum from Saint Mary's Press.
There are four stages of the Confirmation Preparation: Invitation, Formation, Reflection, and Mission. The sacrament of confirmation is received during the Reflection period. Four stages are based on RCIA.
Two rituals are performed in the context of the community: Entrance Ritual and Sending Ritual.
Two day long retreats. One in the Fall and one in the Spring.
Group service projects
Three church service projects throughout the year.
Confirmation "Conversations" (Interviews) with Fr. Michael Byron
On-going catechesis through classroom discussions, prayer experiences, community building, social justice experiences, and service projects.

We work closely with the Sponsors of the Confirmation Candidates. We provide a Sponsor workshop, Sponsor Guidebooks from Saint Mary's Press, and invite each sponsor to attend the two confirmation retreats. We also have regular check-ins with the Sponsors to provide support in their ministry role to the Confirmation Candidates.

Additionally, the Confirmation Candidates are encouraged to participate in the youth group activities. It is important for us to include the Confirmation Candidates in the entire life of the church and we work hard to make the Confirmation process part of a larger and comprehensive youth ministry program.

To print a Blank Permission Slip click here.

2009-2010 Confirmation Schedule

For more information, please contact Cindy Windau at 651-644-4502 ext 23.

1st Reconciliation & 1st Eucharist contact Ellie Barrett at

651-644-4502 ext 23.

Confirmation contact Cindy Windau at 651-644-4502 ext 23.

Adult Faith Formation

All activities of parish life are hopefully formational, especially the liturgical life of the parish. In addition there are three areas where Faith Formation is more explict.

RCIA, Infant Baptism, Marriage Preparation

RCIA, preparation for infant baptism, and preparation for marriage are coordinated by staff members. Parishioners are heavily involved in the implementation of these programs. In addition BeFriender training and ongoing ministry reflection are led by a staff member.

For more information contact:

Marge Virnig

Pastoral Minister

651-644-4502 ext 24

marge@stceciliaspm.org

Adult Faith Sharing Groups

These groups have had the dual purpose of deepening community and encouraging the dialogue between the content of our faith and life experience. Over the years faith sharing groups at St. Cecilia's have taken a variety of forms - e.g. Renew, Little Rock Scripture Study, theological reflection on the Sunday scriptures. Fr. Michael Byron holds a Sunday Forum focusing on a mutual sharing of wisdom around the catechetical theme for the month. This gathering is held one Sunday a month following the 10:00 Mass. For information on the Sunday Adult Faith Formation meetings or other Adult Faith Formation opportunities contact Marge Virnig at 651-644-4502 ext. 24 or marge@stceciliaspm.org.

Church of St. Cecilia
2357 Bayless Place
St. Paul, MN 55114

Contact Us
Phone: 651.644.4502
Fax: 651.647.1445
Email: info@stceciliaspm.org