Youth & Family Faith Formation

We’re glad you’re here. Our parish believes that faith is first learned and lived at home. That’s why our faith formation program is designed to support families as they grow together in faith. You don’t need to have all the answers or be an expert—simply a willingness to nurture your own faith and share it with your children. Your parish community is here to walk with you, encourage you, and support your family every step of the way.

Believing parents, with their daily example of life, have the most effective capacity to transmit the beauty of the Christian faith to their children. “Enabling families to take up their role as active agents of the family apostolate calls for ‘an effort at evangelization and catechesis inside the family.’” (1)

"The single, most powerful causal influence on the religious lives of American teenagers and young adults is the religious lives of their parents. Not their peers, not the media, not their youth group leaders or clergy, not their religious school teachers. Myriad studies show that, beyond a doubt, the parents of American youth play the leading role in shaping the character of their religious and spiritual lives, even well after they leave home and often for the rest of their lives." (2)

______________________________

(1) Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. Directory for Catechesis (Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2020), 124

(2) Amy Adamczyk and Christian Smith. Handing Down the Faith: How Parents Pass Their Religion on to the Next Generation (New York: Oxford University Press, 2021), 1

The Family Faith Formation program is made up of four components:

1. At-Church Sessions
2. Family Activities
3. Attend Mass regularly
4. Serve the church and the community

Learn Together

Families gather on campus for 90 minute sessions every 3–4 weeks using the Pathways curriculum. These sessions engage both adults and children in meaningful, age appropriate ways.

Live Faith at Home

Parents are supported with simple activities to help bring faith into everyday family life and reinforce what children learn at church.

Worship as a Family

The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and participation in Mass is an essential part of faith formation. Essentially, the Eucharist is the heart of our faith. Families are encouraged to develop the habit of attending Mass every weekend—together as a family whenever possible.

Serve with Love

Faith comes alive through service. Families are invited to serve the parish and community in ways that fit their lives.

For Teens

Teens in Grades 5–12 are encouraged to join St. Andrew Youth Ministry retreats and events.

👉 Learn more here: Youth Ministry

Families with children in grades 1 - 10 are encouraged to take part in Family Faith Formation. We also welcome older teens (11th grade and up), grandparents, godparents, and other loved ones who support your family’s faith journey.

Our cirriculum is the "Pathways" program from Faith & Family Life Ministries. We will begin with the Seek module in the fall, followed by the Root module in winter/spring. 

If you have a 2nd grader in your family who is preparing to recieve the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist for the first time, your entire family will participate in the Mend module in the fall, followed by the Nourish module in winter/spring.

If you have an older child, who still needs to receive Baptism or First Communion, you’re not alone—and we’re here to help. Please contact Stephanie Croteau, our Director of Religious Education, at scroteau@saint-andrew.net for more information.

Seek/Root Series 

Families participating in the Seek/Root series may choose from two convenient schedules for at church sessions:

• Schedule A: About every third Sunday evening, 6:00–7:30 pm
• Schedule B: About every third Wednesday evening, 6:30–8:00 pm

Adult sessions on Wednesdays are offered in both English and Spanish.

You’ll select your preferred schedule when you register. Please note that space is limited for each session. Sessions run from late September through early May.

📄You can download the full schedule here:

2026-2027 Seek/Root Schedule

Mend/Nourish Series

At church sessions for the Mend/Nourish series meet about every third Wednesday evening from 6:30–8:00 pm.

• Adult sessions are offered in English
• Spanish-speaking aides will be present at all at church sessions to provide support

📄 You can download the full schedule here:

2026-2027 Mend/Nourish Schedule

Registration is now open. Click on the appropriate button at the top of the page to register.

Have questions? Please contact our Religious Education director at scroteau@saint-andrew.net

What I am signing up for?

Family Faith Formation is designed to help your whole family grow in faith—together. We invite all members of your family to attend the at-church sessions, including grandparents, godparents, and older children who have already been confirmed.

Families will attend 10–12 at-church sessions between late September and early May. During these sessions, you may receive activities to do at home as a family—we encourage you to make time for these, as they are an important part of the program.

Families are also encouraged to:

• Attend Mass regularly, ideally every weekend and on holy days of obligation, together as a family
• Attend Family Events for fellowship and fun
• Encourage teens to participate in St. Andrew Youth Ministry retreats and events

Are parents required to attend these at-church sessions?

Yes. Parents play a vital role in family faith formation. Adult sessions are designed to help parents feel confident and supported in sharing faith at home. These sessions offer opportunities to learn more about your faith, explore practical ways to live it, and engage in meaningful conversations with other parents. We want to help you build a fruitful Catholic community that partners with you on your journey of faith. 

We ask that both parents attend when possible. If that is not possible, at least one parent must be present at each session.

How will the at-church sessions be structured?

At church sessions are 90 minutes long and take place on the church campus. The entire family attends on the same evening.

• The whole family may gather initially in the main church for a warm welcome and instructions for the evening.
• Adults meet in the Cafeteria (Side A)
• Teens and pre-teens meet in the Cafeteria (Side B) or the Gathering Space
• Elementary children (Grades 1–4) meet in the Classrooms and the Gym
• Childcare for children ages 1–5 (including Kindergarten) is provided in Meeting Room 3

While each group meets separately, everyone explores the same topic, presented in age appropriate ways. Adult and teen sessions are discussion based and led by a moderator. Elementary sessions have a Vacation Bible School–style environment with music, crafts, and activities woven into the lesson.

Each evening concludes with families gathering together for prayer in the gym or church. Adult and teen sessions also focus on practical ways to live out your faith at home between at church sessions. 

I have young children. Should I bring them to the Family Faith Formation at-church sessions?

Yes! We plan to provide child care for children ages 1–5, including Kindergarten. This allows parents to be fully present during the adult sessions.

Childcare will take place in Meeting Room 3. If your child needs you during the session, the care team will contact you via phone call or text message.

Will these sessions also prepare my children for First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation?

Yes. Family Faith Formation includes preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation.

• Families with a 2nd grader should register for the Mend/Nourish series
• Families with students entering 10th grade should register for the Seek/Root series

Students in 10th grade will receive additional Confirmation preparation materials and sessions during winter and spring 2027 to prepare for Confirmation in fall 2027.

Is the traditional program still an option?

No. The traditional faith formation program was retired after the 2025–2026 academic year. If your family is unable to participate in Family Faith Formation, please contact a member of our religious education staff to discuss alternative options for your child’s formation.

When is the deadline to register?

The registration deadline is August 25. Registrations received after this date will be accepted based on available space.