Youth Faith Formation
THIS MONTH'S YOUTH FAITH FORMATION CALENDAR
Youth Faith Formation REGISTRATION and
EMERGENCY MEDICAL RELEASE forms are available for 2012 - 2013.
To register, fill out and notarize the forms in the link above or below this announcement, and send them and your check in to the St. Lawrence Parish Office. For more info regarding cost, see the following flyer or contact Sarah at (813) 875-4040 ext 206 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Youth Faith Formation Registration Form 2012-2013
Emergency Medical & Release Form 2012-2013 —To be Notarized
What is Youth Faith Formation?
Youth Faith Formation (also known as “YFF” or previously as “CCD”) is both teaching the knowledge of the Catholic faith to our youth and helping them build a relationship with Christ. It is a life long journey that starts at birth and ends when the Lord calls us home to be with Him eternally.
When are Classes?
Our Youth Faith Formation ministry is our parish’s primary mode of catechesis for children in grades Pre-K 4 through eight who attend public or non-Catholic private schools. We meet every Sunday from September through May from 10:45-12:15 in the school building. Many families worship first at the 9:30am mass and then bring their children to class afterward. If you are interested in registering, see the above information and contact Sarah Holz, director of Youth Faith Formation.
Our Classes
Our formation can be broken down into three parts. We use the “We Believe” texts by Sadlier as our foundation in the classroom, experience honored traditions of our faith including Eucharistic Exposition, the Rosary, and the Blessing of the Throats, and use other interactive modes of learning including “Super Sunday” praise & worship family gatherings. These are also the foundational years required before any child receives immediate preparation for the sacraments of First Penance, First Communion, or Confirmation. We also seek as a parish to help parents gain the knowledge and resources to help teach their children the faith. Together we are working to help our youth grow in love of, relationship with, and knowledge of Christ and to claim their role as apostles of Christ’s love and compassion to the world.
Parents Provide the Foundation
At Saint Lawrence, we strongly believe that parents are the “primary and principal educators” of their children’s faith as Pope Paul VI said in Gravissimum Educationis (On Christian Education) (11). This is done at home through both living and teaching the gospel daily as well bringing them to worship as a family in Mass each week and regularly participate in the Sacraments and community life. Thus, our Youth Faith Formation ministry exists to compliment the parents’ teaching of the faith through weekly learning with a peer community. Remember, “a family that prays together, stays together!”
Here are some great parent resources: www.sadlierreligion.com/webelieve www.vatican.va www.usccb.org www.catholicicing.com www.domestic-church.com www.lifeteen.com www.ym.stlawrence.org The New American Bible, The YOUCAT (Youth Catechism Commissioned by Pope Benedict XVI)
HOW YOU CAN HELP
By nature of our Baptism, we are all called to share our gifts with the Church. We are looking for adults and high school teens who are interested in assisting on Sundays. It takes many people, working together in many ways, for the parish religious education program to work well. Your volunteer commitment might be long-term or one‑time, but everyone's participation is valuable.
Here are brief descriptions of volunteer roles you might consider:
PRAYER
First and foremost, PRAY for our youth! We need the support of the whole parish community to lift our youth up in prayer that they may come to know the Lord more fully. Pray for our whole Faith Formation team to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
CATECHISTS (Teachers)
Responsible for planning, teaching and managing a class of children for a weekly period of 1.5 hours. Use several kinds of interactive methods, including lecture, discussion, text, activities, film and video, games, worksheets, etc. **Requires Safe Environment Training and Fingerprinting.
AIDES
Help the Catechists in all teaching activities, at all class sessions. Help to manage children in the various class activities. **Requires Safe Environment Training and Fingerprinting.
PROJECT COORDINATORS
Create and/or work with a Catechist and Faith Formation Office to provide service and/or craft projects for students of a particular class. Help students make the project and clean up afterwards. Also looking for guitarists willing to play some praise & worship music!
CLASS PARENTS
Contact parents of a class to advertise an event and ask for help where needed. May help the Catechist in a specific task such as tutoring during class, reading stories, etc. May come to a class weekly or occasionally.
SUBSTITUTES
Take the role of a Catechist for one or a few class sessions. Contact the Catechist to discuss the events of the class substituted for. **Requires Safe Environment Training and Fingerprinting.
OFFICE AIDES
Assist the Director by managing the office during a particular class session. Answer the telephone and take messages. Keep attendance and other records for the classes.
For more information, please contact Sarah at (813) 875-4040 Ext 206 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
**DOSP SCREENING AND TRAINING LINKS:
Diocesan Level II Background Screening and Fingerprinting
Catechist Formation Program (certification program fees are paid for by the parish)