St. John Neumann Youth Faith Formation

Program Information and Registration for 2021-2022

Grade-Level

Program Expectations

Preschool/Kindergarten
Ages 3 through 5 years old (by 9/1/2021)

Formation:

  • Onsite lessons first and third Sundays of the month 9 am-10:15 am.
  • We provide at-home lessons for parents to complete with child for the rest of the month.
  • All are invited to Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the month followed by potluck dinner and faith-based activities.

Grades 1, 3, 4, and 5

Formation Choice One: (Focus: Hybrid of on-site session and home sessions)

  • First Sunday or Wednesday of the Month:
    • Onsite family session. Choice:
      • Sundays 9 am to 10:15 am or
      • Wednesdays 6 pm to 7:15 pm, begins with optional low-cost dinner to order ahead of time, available for family beginning at 5:30 pm
    • Families work together at the start and end of each onsite session. In the middle, children meet in grade-level classes while parents prepare to present at-home lessons, further their own formation, and form community.
  • Rest of the Month: Parents present family lessons at home. Family reflection due at the end of each month.
  • All are invited to Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the Month followed by potluck dinner and faith-based activities.

Formation Choice Two: (Focus: All home sessions)

  • Parents present family lessons at home. Parents prepare on their own for the at-home lessons. Family reflections due at the end of each month.
  • All are invited to Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the Month followed by potluck dinner and faith-based activities.

Curriculum: A Family of Faith Volume 1: The Creed (Sophia Institute Press)

Grade 2

(or second year of faith formation)

Sacramental Preparation: Children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion attend formation for at least two years, normally Grades 1 and 2. Children celebrate these sacraments in the second year of attendance. Youth and parents have additional expectations during the year of sacramental preparation (for example, parent meetings, parent-child retreat, etc.). If your child is older than Grade 1 and has not yet been prepared to celebrate these sacraments, enroll them in the Grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 program above.

Sacramental Formation Choice One: (Focus: All on-site sessions)

  • First Sunday or Wednesday of the Month:
    • Onsite family session. Choice:
      • Sundays 9 am to 10:15 am or
      • Wednesdays 6 pm to 7:15 pm, begins with optional low-cost dinner to order ahead of time, available for family beginning at 5:30 pm
    • Families work together at the start and end of each onsite class. In the middle, children meet in grade-level classes while parents prepare to complete at-home family pages with children, further their own formation, and form community.
  • Second and Third Sundays or Wednesdays of the Month:
    • Onsite sessions for children only
  • All are invited to Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the Month followed by potluck dinner and faith-based activities.

Sacramental Formation Choice Two: (Focus: All home sessions)

  • Parents present sacramental lessons at home. Parents prepare on their own to present at-home lessons and further their own faith formation. At-home lesson family reflections due at the end of each month.
  • All are invited to Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the Month followed by potluck dinner and faith-based activities.

Curriculum: You are Forgiven and You are Loved (Augustine Institute)

Grades 6-8

Students meet on Wednesdays from 5-7:30 pm. 5-6 pm is an optional time for students to eat dinner and play games with their peers. From 6-7:30 pm, students will hear a talk on a certain topic of the night and then break off into small groups divided by grade and gender to discuss the topic as well as what is going on in their lives and pray together. All are invited to Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the Month followed by potluck dinner and faith-based activities.

High School

Students meet on Sunday nights from 6:30-8:30 pm for dinner, games, prayer, discussion, and an occasional service project. High school students who have not received First Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation are encouraged to attend the high school youth group on Sundays in addition to completing curriculum at home to help them prepare for the sacraments. All are invited to Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the Month followed by potluck dinner and faith-based activities.

Special Needs for Ages 17-21

Subject to openings in the class. Additional registration and a home visit are necessary for new families.

Formation: (Focus: Hybrid of on-site session and home session)

  • Second Wednesday of the month:
    • Onsite sessions for both children and parents. Wednesdays 6 pm to 7:15 pm. Families take turns providing a small agape snack each month.
    • Parent session prepares parents to present at-home lesson, further their own formation, and form community.
    • Families work together at the end of each onsite class.
  • Rest of the Month: Parents present family lessons at home. Communication with family catechist due by the end of each month.
  • All are invited to Mass at 5:00 pm on the fourth Sunday of the Month followed by potluck dinner and faith-based activities.

Adapted Curriculum: A Family of Faith Volume 1: The Creed (Sophia Institute Press)

For more information about our programs, including the 2021-2022 calendar once finalized,
click on:
Youth Faith Formation Program Information.

Preschool through Grade 5:
Therese Stahl
Director of Evangelization & Faith Formation
tstahl@sjnstcharles.org
630-377-2797 ext. 113

Grade 6 through High School:
Mark Restaino
Director of Youth Ministry & RCIA Coordinator
mrestaino@sjnstcharles.org
630-377-2797 ext. 107

Billing Questions for All Grades:
Annette Garrison
Bookkeeper
agarrison@sjnstcharles.org
630-377-2797 ext. 105