Family Faith Formation
Educating all of God’s Children in Extraordinary Variety in the ways of faith and life
While the catechesis offered within the family is ordinarily informal, unstructured, and spontaneous,
it is no less crucial for the development of the child’s faith. “In a certain sense, nothing replaces
family catechesis, especially for its positive and receptive environment, for the
example of adults, and for its first explicit experience and practice of the faith.”
– National Directory for Catechesis, 48.E.1
What is Family Faith Formation?
“The faith is professed, celebrated, expressed, and lived above all in community”
(Directory of Catechesis, 88).
Focusing on the faith development of entire families, family faith formation inspires all family members towards missionary discipleship while it also encourages, equips, and supports parents in their mission of teaching the faith to their children. This model of learning brings the community together in the same way that we worship together - as people of all ages and stages, growing in faith together.
What to expect in Family Faith Formation sessions
Each session is 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
NEW this year: first, we will go to the 10 a.m. Mass together
At the Mass, during the Liturgy of the Word,children (recommended for ages 5-9) will have the opportunity to participate in Children’s Liturgy of the Word in the Chapel. Children’s Liturgy of the World gives children an age-appropriate experience with this liturgy. Children will be invited to the front of the church and will be escorted to the adjoining chapel where they will participate in the readings, prayer, and reflection. They will return to the congregation prior to the Liturgy of the Eucharist. We will discuss more about his opportunity during our parent orientation meeting.
Children grades 3 and up will have an opportunity to participate in the Mass as lectors, servers, and ushers. This will require additional training. We will also discuss this new element in our parent orientation meeting
Families will be invited to further participation in presenting the gifts
Following the Mass we will move to the School Gym for the second half of our session
For the second half of each Family Faith Formation session,
we will gather in the School Gym
You will start at a table with your family. In some sessions, we will also work in different group configurations, depending on the topic
Each session will begin with the snack and Gospel reflection
Next, there will be a prayer and a brief mini-lesson on the topic of the day
We will then explore the topic in 2-3 interactive activities and apply it to our lives. In some of these activities, children will be grouped by age in order to create a more appropriate level of challenge for them. Activities will include discussion, role-playing/games, scripture, and art.
Our session will typically conclude with three elements: reflection, prayer, and something to take home and apply to your family prayer life
Our sessions will conclude at 12:30 p.m. Please plan to stay until the end.
Cost of Program
$180 fee per family, payable upon registration; this includes all program materials. There is no additional cost for sacramental preparation
2026-2027 Dates
September 13, 2026: Introductions; Our Church/ What is Church? (the People of God, the physical space, the history)
October 18, 2026: Catholic Social Teaching: The Dignity of the Human Person
November 15, 2026: Advent: Preparing the Way for the Lord
December 13, 2026: The Prophets
January 10, 2027: Honoring your Father and Mother: The Holy Family and Our Own Families
February 7, 2027: Praying, Fasting, Almsgiving (Preparing for Lent)
March 7, 2027: Sin, Mercy, and Grace
April 4, 2027: The Paschal Mystery
May 2, 2027: Becoming a Missionary Disciple
May 9, 2027: Mother’s Day - Mass and concluding with a May Crowning
Shared Vision of Catechesis in Our Parish
The work of Family Faith Formation is aligned to the vision for learning
for all members of our parish community.
We believe the purpose of catechesis in our parish is
To bring the faithful closer to God and each other through authentic experiences in the liturgy, prayer, the sacraments, and the rhythms of the church year
To foster knowledge of the faith and the formation of a moral conscience through the study of both scripture and tradition
To build community and a shared sense of mission both within the parish and in the wider world
To accompany the faithful in the maturation of their faith in all stages of their lives
To celebrate the diversity and gifts of our parish community
Sacramental Prep Information for 2026-2027
For all sacraments:
The registration fee for Family Faith Formation covers both those sessions and the additional sacramental prep sessions. You will not be asked to pay an additional fee.
On the Family Faith Formation form, you will have an opportunity to make your request for sacramental preparation for your child.
More information about specific preparation session dates and other program information will be provided at the Family Faith Formation parent orientation meeting in September.
If you have any questions, please contact Mary McCarthy at becomecatholic@stthomashydepark.org
First Reconciliation & First Communion
The Archdiocese of Chicago has established the following guidelines for First Reconciliation and First Communion:
Children are to be enrolled in a Catholic school or a parish religious education program for two consecutive years before receiving the sacraments.
First reconciliation is to take place prior to a student’s reception of first Eucharist.
A valid Catholic baptismal certificate must be provided to the parish prior to receiving the sacraments.
Children must be at least 7 years of age
First Reconciliation and First Communion Preparation Schedule Requirements
All children preparing for these sacraments will attend all Family Faith Formation sessions
There will be three First Reconciliation prep sessions in the fall, concluding with the sacrament in mid-December. Most of these sessions will be two hours long
There will be three First Communion prep sessions in the spring, concluding with the sacrament on Sunday, April 25, 2027, at the 10 a.m. mass
At least one parent/guardian is required to attend each session
A complete schedule will be available prior to the parent orientation session.
How does St. Thomas the Apostle apply the two-year preparation requirement?
This year only, because St. Thomas did not fully implement this requirement last year, 2nd graders who hope to receive sacraments in 2026-27 will be allowed to do so even if they do not meet the two-year preparation requirement
This exception will not be made in 2027-28. If your child will be in 2nd grade next year, be sure to enroll them in Family Faith Formation this year
My child is in 2nd grade at St. Thomas the Apostle School. How does this information apply to us?
Sacramental preparation for students of our school takes place in our Family Faith Formation weekend program. Please register your student in this program and participate in both the Family Faith Formation and sacramental prep sessions.
Confirmation
The Archdiocese of Chicago has established the following guidelines for Youth Confirmation:
Adolescents to be confirmed must be under the age of 18 and have already received the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist.
A valid Catholic baptismal certificate and documentation of First Eucharist must be provided to the parish prior to Confirmation.
The length of parish sacramental preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation shall be a minimum of two years for adolescent candidates excluding those participating in the Order for Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA).
Parents must actively participate in their child’s sacramental preparation
Preparation for Confirmation will include a service project and a retreat
At what age can your child be confirmed?
The typical age for confirmation is in 7th or 8th grade
Adolescents aged 14-17 can also participate in the Youth Confirmation process
How does St. Thomas the Apostle apply the two-year preparation requirement?
This year only, because St. Thomas did not fully implement this requirement last year, 8th graders who hope to be confirmed in Spring 2027 will be allowed to do so even if they do not meet the two-year preparation requirement.
This exception will not be made in 2027-28. If your child will be in 7th or 8th grade next year and you would like them to be confirmed at that time, be sure to enroll them in Family Faith Formation this year.
Confirmation Preparation Schedule Requirements
All children preparing for Confirmation in the Spring of 2027 will attend all Family Faith Formation meetings. In addition, there will be additional Confirmation prep sessions, one per month, starting in late September and ending in April
Confirmation is scheduled on Sunday, April 11, 2027, at the 10 a.m. mass
At least one parent/guardian is required to attend each session
Most of these sessions will be two hours long. Two of the sessions, our fall service project, and our spring retreat, will be longer.
My child is in 7th or 8th grade at St. Thomas the Apostle School. How does this information apply to us?
Sacramental preparation for students of our school takes place in our Family Faith Formation weekend program. Please register your student in this program and participate in both the Family Faith Formation and sacramental prep sessions.
