Faith Formation
Faith Formation - Age 3 through Grade 5+
Faith Formation - Youth Grades 6-12
Adult Education and Faith Formation

Sacramental Preparation
Baptism
Christian Initiation of Children
First Eucharist
First Reconciliation
Confirmation

Faith Formation

Faith Formation - Age 3 through Grade 5+

Sunday Preschool - Children ages 3-5 years old are invited to explore God's world by experiencing God through the wonders of nature, their own body and the people in their lives during the 11:00 Mass three Sundays a month from September - April

Family Faith Formation Grades 1-5 - Families gather in small groups to share the Sunday gospel in order to better understand and experience the Words and to relate it to the traditions of the Catholic faith and to their own daily life.

Small groups offer the opportunity to help build relationships within the parish community, to share faith stories within the family and in small groups, to help break open the Word of God together and to encourage families to live the teachings of Jesus. Families are encouraged to be mindful of serving others as a response to the gospel message through worship, prayer and activities, as family and as individuals in their daily life.

Family sessions at church are held two times per month on Sunday from 9:45-10:45 a.m. or Wednesday from 6:45-8:00 p.m. With send-home materials weekly throughout the year, families continue to set aside time together at home to share their faith and how they will live the call of the gospel daily.

For those families who are unable to participate together, children may be included in a small group of families with children of similar ages.

Family Night - On the fourth Wednesday of the month, families gather to share and experience faith traditions and liturgical holidays as a faith community.

Children's Liturgy of the Word - Children are invited to gather for a blessing in the sanctuary within the Sunday assembly after the Opening Prayer and go forth with prayer leaders to hear the stories of our faith at their age level. Children talk about and reflect prayerfully upon what they hear Jesus saying to them in the Word. Children return to the assembly for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Children's Liturgy of Word is an invitation to prayer for children to participate in at will during 11:00 Mass throughout the year.

This is not a 'program' but a weekly invitation to children to pray together.

Rainbows - Children and youth who have experienced loss through divorce or death of a family member, are invited to a support group of peers which enables them to share confidentially with others on what is happening in their life. Groups are formed as interest is shown by children or youth and their family. Rainbows sessions are held in two five-six week segments per year.

Call Ann or Jan at the parish office to register or for more information.

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Faith Formation - Youth Grades 6-12

Grades 6-8 - Junior high youth are encouraged to deepen their relationship with God and to better understand their role as Catholic Christians in the community through a holistic approach. Spiritual development, study of Catholic traditions, outreach, service and social gatherings are the key elements of this model. Youth meet three Wednesday evenings per month from 6:45-8:00 and are invited to participate with their families in Family Nights.

Grades 9-12 - Senior high youth are offered "suitable pastoral formation and guidance aimed at training young people in the Christian life." (RCIA #75)

Using a holistic approach to ministry which includes catechesis, retreats and prayer life, service and justice and community life, the objectives are:
•To foster total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
•To draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of a faith community.
•To empower young people to become disciples of Jesus Christ who witness to their faith by living and working for justice, peace and human dignity.
Grades 9-10 meet two evenings per month and grades 11-12 meet one evening per month from September through February.

Youth/Adult Coordinating Committee (YACC) - Assists in developing in youth a sense of what it means to be a Christian at St. Richard's through spiritual, social and service programs and activities, acts as a sounding board, gives youth a sense of identity, ownership and responsibility and endeavors to encourage and recruit youth and adults to become involved in youth activities. The committee meets approximately once per month and is open to both adults and youth grades 7-12. In the planning of activities, new ideas are welcome; events occur with youth interest and family participation.

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Adult Education and Faith Formation

RCIA-Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults - the process for an adult interested in becoming a Catholic Christian. Adults are welcomed into this journey of faith who are unbaptized, baptized in another faith, or baptized Catholics who have not received the sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist.

Please call Kathleen at the parish office for further information.

ISAIAH - a faith based ecumenical group involving 80 congregations from the east metro that works on structural and institutional changes. To become actively involved, contact the parish office.

LIFE - Learning is ForEver - LIFE is an ecumenical ministry involving numerous churches in Richfield and Bloomington which seek to provide ongoing life enrichment opportunities for adults. Areas of inclusion are poetry, authors, history or updates on countries such as the Mid-East, China, Russia, writing memoirs, gardening tips, travelogues, music, Bible study, etc. Two 4-week sessions are offered each year in the fall and spring.

BeFriender Ministry - is a ministry of presence and quiet listening. Trained BeFrienders respond confidentially to the spiritual needs of persons in our parish community. The role of the BeFriender is to be a companion on the journey through listening, presence and compassion and to share the caring presence of God and our community for those who request this ministry.

Call Kathleen in the parish office for more information or to request a BeFriender.

Grief Ministry - a regional grief support group that invites participants to understand the grief process and the many emotions involved in working through the grief process. Each session has a speaker followed by group discussion.

Call Kathleen in the parish office for more information.

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Sacramental Preparation

Baptism - Parents are invited to prepare for the welcome of their infant into the Christian community as their child begins the life-long journey of faith. Parents attend two pre-Baptism preparation sessions that are offered four times per year during the months of January, April, July and October.

Please call Jan in the parish office to enroll in pre-baptism classes.

Post-Baptism - Parents of infants and toddlers from 6 moths to about the age of 3 years are invited to participate with others in discussing the development of the child and the nurturing of the spiritual life of the child.

Christian Initiation of Children - an adaptation of the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) which is intended for children who were not baptized as infants but are of catechetical age (approximately six years or older). Children seek Christian initiation either at the direction of their parents or guardians, with parental permission, or on their own initiative. Readiness culminates with celebration during the Easter Vigil with the reception of the initiation sacraments of baptism, confirmation and Eucharist.

Please call Jan in the parish office with questions or for information.

First Eucharist - Family preparation program for families of children approximately of second grade age who express a desire to participate in Sunday liturgy, have an understanding of the presence of Jesus and a willingness to go forth to live as Jesus taught. Families meet from January-April.

Registration materials are sent in December. Calendars are available in the yearly handout or the faith formation office.

First Reconciliation - Family preparation program for families of children approximately of fifth grade age who recognize the difference between moral good and wrongdoing and have an openness to forgive and to be forgiven. Celebration is based on the desire to renew union with God and community. Families meet from September-December.

Registration materials are sent in late August. Calendars are available in the yearly handout or the faith formation office.

Confirmation - Family preparation program for youth in grade ten or older. For adolescents, Confirmation is a commitment to being open to a life long journey of faith. Candidate, parent(s) and sponsor spend time together and with peers to explore the sacrament and how it affects their spiritual and daily life.

Preparation meeting in November, classes, confirmed in May. Calendars are available in the yearly handout or the faith formation office.

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