FAITH FORMATION
Description
The Faith Formation program (Catechetical Sessions) at St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church strives to provide adults, youth and children with the knowledge, experiences, and skills necessary to become faithful disciples of Jesus. In keeping with their age and ability, they will assume responsibility as a vital member of the parish and be able to participate in the Parish's Mission to develop the community of One God, One people in Christ, One community of love guided by the Holy Spirit to impact lives.
Formation in the Catholic tradition is a lifelong process. For that reason St. Catherine of Alexandria offers ongoing Faith Formation opportunities for all ages, along with sacramental preparation.
Usual Ages for Catechesis/Sacraments:
- Infant Baptism
- Toddlers Sunday Preschool
- 1st Grade Pre-Catechesis
- 2nd Grade 1st Reconciliation
- 3rd Grade 1st Eucharist
- 4th – 6th Grade Continue Catechesis
- 7th – 8th Grade Continue Catechesis & "The Edge"
- 9th Grade 1st Yr. Confirmation
- 10th Grade 2nd Yr. Confirmation
- 11th Grade 3rd Yr. Confirmation Process/Sacrament
Nursery
Available for children ages 6 months through 3 years of age. Children are cared for by trained and approved volunteers, in an area of our Parish Hall during our 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Masses. Currently, due to COVID pandemic, Nursery is not in session.
Children Homily
For children grades 1st through 6th during our 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Masses. Children are invited to gather in front of the altar before Mass, they then exit Mass with two Catechists (volunteer) and go over to the rectory's gathering room for their session, then return to Mass just in time to join the community in the prayer of Our Father. They will then be released back to their families. No prior registration required, just a desire to hear the Word of God and learn about the scriptures. Currently, due to COVID pandemic, Children Homily is not in session.
Sunday Pre-School
For children between the age of 3 - 5 years old, offered on Sundays for an hour in the Parish Hall during the 8:30 am and 10:15 am Masses. Fall sessions October - May each year with the fee of $65.00 per child. We also offer a summer session for eight weeks during July and August with a fee of $30.00 per child. Pre-School includes workbook/lesson, craft, video and snack while parents attend Mass. Currently, preschool is not in session.
Elementary
For baptized children between grades 1st - 11th who are looking for a sacramental preparation session or continuing their catechesis.
They will participate in age-level formation on either:
Wednesdays 6:30 – 7:45 pm
Sundays 9:00 – 10:00 am
(Spanish) 12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m. with Mass following at 1:45 pm
Faith Formation Sessions normally start in September and end in May of each year. General registration takes place in the summer months with a fee of $65.00 for the first child and a family discount for two or more children. The program also will include opportunities to come together as one community in the celebration of Liturgies, retreats and special events.
•Pre-Catechesis, introduces the attitudes, values celebrated, the signs and symbols used and a basic understanding of the sacraments. This enables children, with their parents, to make an informed decision about their readiness for immediate catechesis. Generally this will consist of one year in our catechetical program.
•Immediate Catechesis helps the children and families focus on the sacrament, its symbols and rituals so they can more deeply live their sacramental relationship with the Lord and our community. Includes formation focused on the unity and community God offers through the sacraments.
RCIA for Children
For children 7 years old or older who have not yet been baptized and are seeking to become Catholic. This process will take the children through four periods of preparation for the receipt of all three sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist) that would be celebrated at an Easter Vigil Liturgy.
Children and family are asked to attend our Sunday morning 8:30 Mass in which the children are dismissed and brought over for their continuing formation session held in our Parish Hall. There is no cost for this process.
High School
For baptized teens who have already received the sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist and now wish to complete their initiation by entering into formation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Confirmation program, its classes and other requirements are supervised by the Director of Parish Youth Ministries. The Confirmation process begins in the freshman year of high school and is a three year process. The Sacrament of Confirmation at St. Catherine of Alexandria requires that all candidates must be at least a junior in high school and at least 16 years of age before April 1st of their confirmation year. Candidates are required to choose a sponsor for confirmation prior to their first year retreat, see section on Sponsors in the Confirmation handbook. For more information and requirements please use link below to handbook, or contact the Director.
This three year process requires for the candidates to attend scheduled meetings, retreats, Life Nights, and hand in monthly Mass reflection sheets and community service hours. Confirmation sessions start in October and end in June. Registration is generally done in the summer months. Please pick up a bulletin to get information for dates and times of registrations.
Adult Sacramental Formation
This formation is offered to adults 18 years of age and older who are seeking to complete their sacraments of initiation by receiving the sacrament of Holy Eucharist and Confirmation. Classes are held every Tuesday nights, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Ministry Center. Participants are required to pre-register prior to the start of classes, which usually starts in the Fall of each year. This is a one year process.
Contact:
St. Catherine of Alexandria Church
7005 Brockton Ave. , Riverside CA 92506
Phone No.: (951) 781-9855
Olivia G. Wiseman, Director of Catechetical Ministry (DCM): ext. 25 email: owiseman@stcofa.orgLance Wiseman, Confirmation: ext. 14 email: lwiseman@stcofa.org
Rachel Mahoney, Program Assistant: ext. 26 email: rmahoney@stcofa.org