Faith Formation

Children in first and second grade are invited to attend Children’s Liturgy of the Word during 10:30 A.M. Mass on Sundays.  The children are dismissed following the opening prayer to hear scriptures and a reflection in an age appropriate manner.  The children rejoin the community before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Please Note: This is not for children that have already received their First Holy Communion. These children should remain with their family and listen to the Liturgy of the Word.

Children in preschool through kindergarten are invited to attend Children’s Church during 10:30 A.M. Mass on Sundays.  The children are dismissed following the opening prayer to be introduced to the Sunday scripture through the Pflaum “Seeds” program.  The children are also introduced to sacred gestures and prayers that we, as Catholic Christians, use regularly.  Children’s Church is a bridge to encourage the children to continue their faith formation from the Sacrament of Baptism to the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist. The children rejoin the community before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

All students meet on Wednesday evening from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. for faith formation sessions.

Faith Formation Cover Letter                            2018-2019 Registration Form

Religious Education Schedule 2018-2019

Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade faith formation is taught using The Pflaum Gospel Weeklies. Each lesson in the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program flows from the words of Jesus Christ in the Sunday Gospels. Children learn their faith—including formation in doctrine, sacraments, commandments, and prayer—within the rhythms and seasons of the Liturgical Year, encouraging a growing participation in the life of the parish community.

The program consists of a Catechism handbook, What the Church Believes and Teaches, and weekly Gospel-based lessons. The handbook leads children to understand the basics of the Catholic faith. The weekly lessons inspire them to seek out ways to practice their faith in their daily lives.

Grade 9 starts their Confirmation prep by using the Ascension Press Confirmation program, Chosen. The Chosen program is designed to help teens prepare for the sacrament and also develop a closer relationship with Christ.

Grade 10 continues to use the Chosen program to dive more deeply into learning about The Sacraments.

Grades 11 & 12 use a variety of learning materials to help them understand more about their Catholic faith as they begin to get closer to graduating from high school. Junior and Seniors are encouraged to attend a Teens Encounter Christ (TEC) weekend.

St. John Bosco Youth Ministry includes the four parishes located in the Jasper area – Holy Family, St. Joseph, Precious Blood and St. Mary in Ireland. Under the leadership of Angie Greulich and a team of youth and adults, various activities are provided for fellowship, fun, service and spiritual growth on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Adult Formation is offered ongoing basis for those adults who would like to meet and learn more about their Catholic faith.

Topics include the Gospels, the Eucharist, Reconciliation and Forgiveness, Mary our Mother, and much more.

The bulletin will have information regarding dates and times for adult formation programs.

Adults who feel called to join our Catholic faith are encouraged to participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.  This process, better known as the R.C.I.A., consists of sessions of inquiry, catechumanate, and mystagogy.

Sessions begin mid September or the first week of October.  Dates and times usually depend on those going through the process. Inquiry is designed to help interested individuals become more aware of the beliefs and practices of the faith.  There is no pressure for a commitment to join the faith.  All are welcomed to participate as much or as little as they prefer.

After one inquires and discerns that they are ready to move into a deeper discussion of  the faith, the individual will start meeting weekly with a team of individuals who will discuss in more detail our faith traditions and practices using prayer and scripture.  The individual has now entered into what we call the catechumanate.

Once the individual has made a firm commitment to join the Catholic faith, they enter into full communion with the Church through the sacraments of Baptism (if one has not been baptized in a Trinitarian tradition), Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Holy Saturday Vigil. After receiving the sacraments of initiation, the neophytes (newly initiated) individuals meet weekly to grasp the paschal mystery and discover how to make it a part of their daily life.  As the neophytes begin to strengthen their walk in the Catholic faith, all are encouraged to discern what ministry in our parish family they feel called to serve. This is called the period of Mystagogy.

Christ renews His Parish (CRHP), is an opportunity for us, as Precious Blood parishioners, to renew our faith in and commitment to Christ. It fosters spiritual growth in both the individual and the Christian community. This weekend experience is facilitated by the previous CRHP team to create an ongoing process of renewal throughout our parish. About 200 people have experienced CRHP since it began at our Precious Blood Parish in the fall of 2000. The activities are designed to be fun, refreshing, peaceful, and prayerful. It is conducted in a very relaxing atmosphere, respecting each individual’s needs and desired level of sharing.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is offered in the summer for students entering their second year of preschool through fifth grade.

VBS is a week filled with awesome stories about people from the bible, creating crazy crafts, learning fun songs, eating yummy snacks and doing fun recreation activities! On Friday evening of VBS week we have a closing ceremony where the children sing songs they have learned for their family and friends. Afterward there is a family picnic and fun activities for everyone!

VBS is normally held in the month of June. Registration forms and more details will be published in the bulletin during the month of April.