Faith Formation at St. Francis Xavier
Faith Formation is the continuing education of learning and growing in our Catholic faith. Your child’s religious education should start when they are in kindergarten and continue every year through high school (and beyond with Adult Faith Formation). This includes their reception of the sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation. All families registering in Faith Formation or preparing to receive the sacraments must be registered parishioners with the parish.
How do I know if my family if currently registered at St. Francis Xavier? If you receive envelopes in the mail with an envelope number, you are registered. If you do not currently get contribution envelopes in the mail, you are either not registered with the parish or you have been removed from active families due to no envelope participation. If your family is not registered with the parish or you are not currently active, your first step is to register with the parish.
Faith Formation and preparing for the sacraments involves the entire family. It is in the family that children are introduced to the practice of the faith and we expect families to remain involved in the religious education program every year. Faith Formation classes are once a week for public school students. Information on registration forms is listed below. Catholic School students receive their faith formation every week in school, unless they are receiving a sacrament for the first time.
When it comes time to receive a sacrament for the first time, the families of those preparing to receive First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, or Confirmation have to attend at least two consecutive years of faith formation or Catholic schooling. At the beginning of the second consecutive year (2nd grade for First Communion or 10th grade for Confirmation), in addition to their faith formation classes at the parish or religion classes at Catholic School, they will need to attend separate Sacramental Preparation sessions. These Sacramental Preparation sessions are one Sunday of each month at the parish.
High School students preparing for Confirmation must also register and participate in the High School Youth Group while in Confirmation Preparation for years one and two (grades 9 and 10). Once you have completed the forms below, click here for information on how to register for the High School Youth Group.
Read the letter from Bishop Frank J. Dewane about two consecutive years of preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Baptism
For Infant Baptism (newborn – six years old) please check out baptism guidelines and requirements. For children ages seven and older please see OCIC below.
First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion (Grade 2)
Frequently asked questions about First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation are answered throughout the Sacramental Preparation classes.
Confirmation (Grade 10)
Frequently asked questions about Confirmation are answered throughout the Sacramental Preparation classes.
OCIC– Non-Baptized
Non-Baptized grade-school aged children aged seven or over should enroll in OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children). This is a two year Faith Sharing program.
Catholic school students
Sacramental Preparation classes are at the parish. Catholic school students who wish to receive their sacraments at St. Francis Xavier Parish are required to attend Sacramental Preparation classes only if receiving First Communion. If receiving Confirmation, students must attend High School Youth Group in grades 9 and 10 and attend Sacramental Preparation classes in their second year (grade 10).
Home-schooled children
Home-schooled children using a Catholic-based curriculum, who wish to receive their sacraments at St. Francis Xavier Parish, are required to follow the Catholic School requirements above. If using a curriculum that is not Catholic-based, those students should be enrolled in the parish Faith Formation Program every year like public school students.
Public School Families, St. Francis Xavier and Bishop Verot Families
Please submit the following forms:
- Religious Education Registration Form 2023-2024: Make your child’s Faith Formation journey official starting here.
- Photo and Video Image Release Authorization Form: Help us capture and share the joy of our gatherings while respecting everyone’s privacy and preferences.
- Medical Authorization Form: Your health and safety are paramount to us during all Faith Formation activities.
- 3rd Party Pick Up Consent & Liability Form: Ensuring a secure environment for all our youth, this form covers important consent and liability information.
Contact: Michael Reardon in the Religious Education Office at
(239) 223-4757 or email to: michael.reardon@stfrancisfm.org
