Church of the Immaculate Conception: Faith Formation Comm.

Weekend Liturgies: Saturday at 5:00 pm, and Sunday at 7:30, 9:30, and 11:30 am


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Faith Formation Commission The Faith Formation Commission’s mission is to provide a lifelong inter-generational whole community approach to faith formation that emphasizes parish and home preparation and formation based on events of the liturgical year. This catechetical process aims toward growth in many dimensions of Christian discipleship: knowledge of faith, liturgical life, moral formation, prayer, belonging to community and missionary spirit. It is faithful to Catholic tradition and responsive to the needs and lived experience of people today. Contact Information. Sacramental Preparation Baptism Preparation Baptism Preparation assists parents in their understanding of the meaning of the baptismal call and prepares them for the responsibility of raising their child in the Catholic faith. Time commitment for the following opportunities is normally 1-1/2 hours. Training is provided. Opportunities to serve: Facilitators who lead preparation workshops (training provided) Baptism host, who welcomes the family and offers assistance on the day of the Baptism before and during the liturgy Contact Information. Confirmation Preparation Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation stresses that the individual begins to acknowledge a personal commitment to a spiritual journey that will last a lifetime. Catechesis encourages this commitment by deepening each individual's understanding of the sacrament through formation sessions, by encouraging personal witness through social justice activity, participation in the parish's liturgical life, and by helping to enrich each candidate’s prayer life through retreats and other prayer experiences. Diocesan and parish requirements are fulfilled in a two-year preparation process which begins in high school. Opportunities to serve: Catechist Catechist aid Stewardship project coordinator Chaperone Clerical duties Contact Information. First Reconciliation Preparation The Sacrament of Reconciliation prepares children to receive the sacrament for the first time. This process involves participation in the Children’s Faith Formation program, parish-wide faith formation gatherings, attendance at parent/child workshops and completing required materials at home. Diocesan guidelines state that children who have been baptized in the Catholic Church are to be involved in a catechetical process for at least a year prior to formal preparation for this sacrament. First Reconciliation is usually scheduled during the fall and is normally celebrated during a Parish Communal Reconciliation Service. Opportunities to serve: Catechist Catechist aid Coordinator Hospitality Special projects Contact Information. First Eucharist Preparation The First Eucharist process prepares children to receive the Sacrament of Eucharist for the first time. This process involves participation in our Children’s Faith Formation program, parish-wide faith formation gatherings, attendance at weekly liturgy, parent/child workshops, retreat, rehearsal and completing required materials at home. As required by the Diocese, children are to be regular participants in the faith formation process at least one year prior to formal preparation for this sacrament. The National Directory for Catechesis requires that parents, too, take an active part in the child’s formation. First Eucharist is usually scheduled during the spring and is celebrated with the entire parish community at all liturgies on a designated weekend. Opportunities to serve: Catechist Catechist aid Coordinator Hospitality Special projects Reception for parish community to celebrate First Eucharist Contact Information. FOCCUS (Engaged Couples) Facilitating Open Couple Communication, Understanding and Study (FOCCUS) explores couples basic expectations of marriage, including communication skills, problem solving skills, attitudes on money, children, religion, sexuality and in-laws. In addition, it attempts to sharpen communication regarding compatibility, background, two-career families, interfaith marriage and second marriages. FOCCUS participants begin by taking an inventory survey. Survey results are reviewed by a FOCCUS team (married couple). The engaged couple then meets in the home of the FOCCUS team for the interpretation of the survey. Time commitment of the married couple who facilitates this process varies according to the number of engaged couples preparing for marriage. Training is required to interpret the FOCCUS inventory survey and is provided by the parish. Training is provided and all team members are married couples. Opportunities to serve: FOCCUS team member Contact Information. Marriage Preparation Diocesan Workshops The Marriage Preparation Ministry coordinates and facilitates a one-day Diocesan workshop which is hosted by Immaculate Conception three times a year. The workshop assists engaged couples in understanding the commitment they are making to one another in the Sacrament of Marriage. Opportunities to serve: Workshop set up Workshop clean up Facilitate registration Greeting engaged couples Providing hospitality Couple Presenters Contact Information. Whole Community Catechesis (WCC) The parish Faith Formation process is called Whole Community Catechesis (WCC). This process brings parishioners together for intergenerational gatherings to explore aspects of our Catholic faith through prayer, presentations, intergenerational activities, age-specific learning sessions and fellowship. The Gatherings are scheduled throughout the year. Opportunities to serve: Team member...planning and organizational Catechist Registrar Hospitality Presenter/role play Publicity Set up/clean up Prayer Leaders Musicians Clerical help Contact Information. Adult Faith Formation The De Sales Spirituality Groups The De Sales Spirituality Groups are faith sharing groups that meet to learn and share the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and spread the concepts of Salesian teachings to others. The groups read, reflect and discuss the various writings of St. Francis, especially the “Introduction to the Devout Life”. The evening group normally meets on the second Monday of each month (except July and August), 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The day group normally meets on the second Wednesday of each month (except July and August), from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Contact Information. Parish Resource Center The Parish Resource Center procures and promotes publications and other materials necessary for supporting and supplementing the faith formation programs being offered. A lending library of books and audio-visual materials is maintained. Hours are flexible during weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Background in library resources and computer skills are needed. Opportunities to serve: Staffing of the Resource Center Cataloging materials Coordinator Contact Information: Position open. Contact Faith Formation Commission Co-Chair. Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process through which the Catholic Church receives new adult members. It has three phases: *Pre-Catechumenate* The Pre-Catechumenate is a process for those interested in exploring Roman Catholicism. These meetings normally take place on Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. in the De Sales Faith Formation Center. *The Catechumenate* The Catechumenate is a process for Catechumens (unbaptized) and Candidates (Christian baptized) to delve more deeply into Scripture to accompany them on their faith journeys. These meetings normally take place on Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. in the De Sales Faith Formation Center. *Mystagogia* Mystagogia provides a continuation for Catechumens to help them become fully integrated into parish life. These meetings normally take place in the De Sales Formation Center; times are established as needed. Opportunities to serve: Sponsors: Confirmed adults in good standing with the Catholic Church. Willing to attend some, but are not required to attend all, of the Cathechumenate sessions. Catechists: Confirmed adults in good standing with the Catholic Church. Additional Catechetical training or theological studies will be provided. Catechists are committed to attending either the Pre-Catechumenate or Catechumenate sessions. Contact Information. Scripture Discussion Group The Scripture Discussion Group is a faith sharing group whose goal is to learn more about the origins and development of Sacred Scripture. Materials used are articles from the series called “Scripture From Scratch” by St. Anthony Messenger Press. These articles provide introductions, chapter and verse commentaries of the Bible to help focus on and understand the cultural, political and historical environment that inspired the writers. Additionally, the articles provide opportunities to talk, pray and live out the scriptural message in daily living. Meetings are normally held monthly (except July and August) on the third Wednesday of the month, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in the De Sales Faith Formation Center. Material costs: five to ten dollars. Contact Information. Small Faith Communities The Small Faith Communities promote faith-sharing in a small discussion group format. Groups meet in private homes or in the De Sales Faith Formation Center at various times and days, to reflect on the Sunday readings. Members support and encourage one another on their faith journey, as they learn more about the Catholic faith. Some groups meet year-round (except July and August); others meet for the six weeks during the season of Lent. Opportunities to serve: Ministry leaders to coordinate and set up groups Select program content Facilitate groups Recruit and train new facilitators Contact Information. Sunday Scripture Reflections Group The Sunday Scripture Reflection Group studies the Sunday readings the week prior to their being proclaimed during the Sunday liturgy using the scripture commentary “The Word” published by Celebrating the Word by Frank Ruetz, CR. During this reflection, intercessory and special prayer requests are part of the reflection period. The group normally meets every Thursday, (except July & August) 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the De Sales Faith Formation Center. Contact Information. Welcome Home For Returning Catholics Welcome Home Ministry invites inactive Catholics to weekly reflection sessions normally during the season of Lent. Current issues in the Church, particularly related to post Vatican II liturgy and the sacraments are discussed. The aim is to aid participants in coming back to the faith. Contact Information: Position open. Contact Faith Formation Commission Co-Chair. Catechist/Assistant Catechist/Catechist Aid The words “catechist” and “catechesis” come from the Greek word meaning “to echo the faith.” The main ministry of a catechist is to “echo” his/her experience of God’s love. One does not have to be a trained theologian, just someone who is willing to share his/her love of God and the Catholic faith, and who is willing to walk with others and help reveal God’s presence in their lives. Catechists must complete and return the Diocese of Raleigh Application for Volunteers, submit to a criminal background check, and attend Safe Environment Training. The expectation is that a Catechist/Catechist Aid would attend liturgy on a regular basis and continue to form themselves in the Catholic faith. Opportunities to serve: Whole Community Catechesis (WCC) Total Youth Ministry (TYM) Junior Youth Ministry (JYM) Elementary Faith Formation Primary Faith Formation Nursery Contact Information. Youth Ministry Total Youth Ministry (TYM) (9th Grade thru 12th Grade) Junior Youth Ministry (JYM) (6th Grade thru 8th Grade) Youth Ministry is composed of Total Youth Ministry (TYM) for young people in Grades 9-12 and Junior Youth Ministry (JYM) for young people in Grades 6-8. The goal of Youth Ministry is to foster the TOTAL personal and spiritual growth of our young people in Grades 6-12, both individually and as a community. This is done through reinforcing the eight components of Youth Ministry: Catechesis, Advocacy, Community Life, Evangelization, Justice/Service (outreach), Leadership Development, Pastoral Care, and Prayer and Worship. The primary focus of Youth Ministry is to create an atmosphere where adolescents can experience a real connection to their faith— providing an environment where they can concentrate on their spiritual and personal issues and concerns in a positive and encouraging format which reinforces the Catholic perspective. Sessions normally meet Sunday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the De Sales Faith Formation Center, September through May. Opportunities to serve: Catechist Catechist aid Chaperone Driver Special project leader Special project aid Receptionist Contact Information. Roman Catholic Initiation of Children (RCIC) Children who have already reached the age of reason (age seven), who are not baptized and seek to embrace the Catholic Faith, are enrolled in an initiation process of sufficient duration that will prepare the child to profess faith appropriate of their age. These children are fully initiated into the Catholic Church at the culmination of this process, celebrating Baptism (if needed), Confirmation, and First Eucharist during the same liturgy. For the Baptism of children under the age of seven, the guidelines for the Baptism of Infants apply. Opportunities to serve: Prepare children for reception of the Sacraments Contact Information. Elementary Faith Formation (2nd Grade thru 5th Grade) This ministry assists children in the 2nd thru 5th Grades on their faith journey. Activities include field trips and other social programs. Sessions normally meet on Wednesdays with a choice of the afternoon session 4:00 p.m to 5:30 p.m. or the evening session 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are received by the youth in this program. First grade faith formation is a pre-requisite for entering the second grade Sacramental year for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Opportunities to serve: Catechist Catechist aid Special projects Chaperones Contact Information. Primary Children’s Faith Formation (Pre-school thru 1st Grade) This ministry assists children in their faith formation through regular weekly sessions. It is offered for pre-school children through first grade and sessions normally meet on Sunday morning from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the De Sales Faith Formation Center. First grade faith formation is a pre-requisite for entering the second grade Sacramental year for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Opportunities to serve: Catechist Catechist aid Special projects Contact Information. Nursery The Nursery provides childcare and is normally held on Sunday morning during the 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. liturgies. This program accommodates children birth through 3 years old. Nursery volunteers must complete and return the Diocese of Raleigh Application for Volunteers, submit to a criminal background check, and attend Safe Environment Training. Opportunities to serve: Supervision of children during the liturgies Volunteer for other occasions/events when a nursery might be needed Contact Information.