FAITH FORMATION

Out of concern for the safety of children and catechists, the parish Office of Lifelong Faith Formation has amended its mask policy to require children and adults to wear masks throughout the entire session of faith formation regardless of spacing, or whether they are seated six feet apart.

Faith Formation registration classes began on  September 13/14 for children in grades K-2, and children in grades 3-8 will have their first session on September 27/28.  All children need to be registered for faith formation every year, regardless of whether they have participated in faith formation in previous years.  

Download:  Faith Formation handbook
                   Registration forms for: Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, 7th-8th, and High school

The home is the first place a disciple is formed, and the Church refers to the Catholic family as the Domestic Church. This year the parish will be providing families with digital and hard-copy tools and resources to assist them in completing guided weekly faith formation lessons at home.  With the exception of Kindergarten and the Second year, there will be options that include both virtual and in-person classrooms, and parents can choose the level of participation they are most comfortable with.  Some parents may choose to have their child complete her/his 20-minute online faith formation module independently, while others may wish to utilize the hard-copy lesson plans and children’s leaflets with their child each week.  Either way, the children will be guided and led to a better understanding of Jesus and their faith by the most important people in their lives – their parents.
 
In addition to the weekly at-home lessons, children and parents will participate in a monthly in-person class. While parent and child gatherings will be held at the same time, they will usually be separate. Classes will be held at St. Martha and St. Mary’s on Sunday mornings and Monday afternoons, and the parent sessions will begin in November. 

Our high school class will continue to meet weekly but will have a change in meeting time and place this fall.  Unlike the K-8 families, parents of high school students will not meet during the high school session.
 
It is understandable that some people are hesitant to meet in person, but we are a Church of people and personal encounters.  Connection to one another, and to Christ though one another is essential.  That said, God gave us the gift of intelligence to be smart about our contact, and hearts of service to ensure that our actions are life-giving and safe for others. The parish is updated at least weekly by the diocesan offices about state and CDC recommendations. If at any time personal contact is deemed inadvisable, we will immediately make the necessary adjustments.  For any family with serious concerns about monthly in-person meetings, a virtual option is available.
 
Our parish covid-19 safety protocols include:
 
Class sizes limited to ten children in K-8.

• Children and adults will wear masks/face coverings while in faith formation. 
• Since there will be no sharing of supplies each K-8 child will have her/his own supply bin that will be set out prior to the child's arrival.
• There will be designated doors for entering and exiting the classroom wing during faith formation at both St. Martha and St. Mary’s. At St. Mary's, there will be an "up" and a "down" staircase for faith formation. 
• Prior to the monthly class, parents are asked to take the temperature of any family member participating in the in-person class.
• Anyone with symptoms like a fever, cough, congestion, runny nose, diarrhea or vomiting, or anyone in quarantine pursuant to state regulations, should not attend any class or gathering at either church.
•  Upon entering the classroom, children will need to use hand sanitizer (parents can opt to provide their own).

Faith Formation endeavors in our parish shall support and strengthen the work of the Spirit to:

• Nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Foster an ever-deepening understanding of the Gospel.
• Build on the Traditions of our Catholic faith.

  We will serve the parish by providing opportunities to foster a sense of spiritual vitality for all age and ability levels. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, these efforts will lead to wisdom, as well as personal and social transformation.

ADULT Faith Formation (18+) 

• Small faith-sharing groups are available at various days and times at both church sites. 
• An ongoing Bible study is held on Wednesdays at St. Mary's from 10 am -noon. 
• Six Journey in Faith sessions will be offered - see schedule listed above.
• For more information on adult faith formation at Holy Spirit parish, please contact Rosanne Smith at rosanne.smith@portlanddiocese.org. 

 

YOUTH Faith Formation (pre-school through high school)

    It is the philosophy of the parish that parents are the primary teachers of their children, and the parish supports that role. The most important means of support is through the celebration of weekly Mass, when the community comes together to nurture one another and to be nourished by Jesus Christ through his Word and his Body.  For some families, involving their children in children’s Liturgy of the Word or having them assist at Mass, has helped in strengthening a sense of belonging and ownership in the Mass in their children.

Nurturing our parish children’s friendship with Jesus is the ultimate aim of Youth Faith Formation, and the parish will provide various service, prayer, and educational opportunities to help children better understand who Jesus is, and what Jesus has called us all to do. For further details, please review the parish Faith Formation Family Handbook and/or contact Carolyn Houston at carolyn.houston@portlanddiocese.org.