Family Faith Formation

Welcome to St. Rita Family Faith Formation! Together as a community, we strive to cultivate a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, living as his disciples, and sharing the Good News with others. This year, our Faith Formation Team is excited to introduce you to our program, which includes countless opportunities for families to encounter Christ at home and in our community. 

Sunday Mass

The celebration of the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life,” and therefore, all of our families enrolled in our Faith Formation programs are expected to attend Mass every Sunday (or Saturday vigil). We realize that attending Mass can sometimes be a challege for families, especially with young children, but you will find St. Rita to be a place where all are welcome, no matter your age or schedule. Every mass is family-friendly, however, if you choose to attend Sunday at 10:00 a.m., you will be able to take advantage of our unique during-Mass children’s programs, which take place on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month from September through May:

1. Sunday Preschool for potty-trained children, ages 3-5. Click here for more information.
2. Children’s Liturgy of the Word, for students in K-5th grade. During mass, our catechists and children are dismissed before the Liturgy of the Word to Gara Hall, where they hear an age-appropriate version of the Sunday readings and discuss how to live out the Gospel message in their daily lives. Afterward, the children rejoin their families in the sanctuary during the offertory. 

Our during-Mass children’s programs will begin Sunday, September 25, 2022. All are welcome! 

Monthly Family Faith Sundays

As an essential component of Family Faith Formation, students in grades K-8th and their families will gather on the 1st Sunday of the month after the 10:00 a.m. Mass (11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.) in O’Malley Hall to participate in a facilitated family faith session together. Families whose youngest child is in middle school may opt out of this if they attend weekly Mass and Faith Formation Sessions. Our first Family Faith Sunday will take place on October 2, 2022. 

Faith Formation Sessions

We offer two weekly options for children in grades 1st-5th to learn the Catholic faith. Parents can choose either option. If you would prefer a combination of both options, please select Option 1.

Option 1: In-person sessions at St. Rita Catholic Parish, Mondays from 4:15-5:30 p.m.
Also previously known as “CCD” or “Religious Education”, we provide experienced catechists to teach students the Catholic faith in their respective grade levels:

• Grade 1 - Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation Year 1 (see below)
• Grade 2 - Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation Year 2 (see below)
• Grades 3 through 5 - Faith Formation (and Sacramental Preparation, if needed)

Our weekly Faith Formation Sessions at St. Rita begin on Monday, October 3, 2022. Please meet at the gate next to Gara Hall. 

Option 2: At-home sessions led by parents with parish support.
This option allows busy families to set their own weekly schedule. Parents commit to participating in the Monthly Family Faith Sundays, attending weekly Mass, and checking in with catechists on a weekly basis for instructions to lead at-home activities and discussions. 

Our weekly supported At-home Faith Formation Sessions begin the week of Sunday, October 2, 2022. 
 

Sacramental Preparation Process (when applicable)

Sacrament Preparation is a two-year process starting in the 1st grade. We welcome families with children in 1st grade (Year 1), 2nd grade (Year 2), and those with older children (up to 7th grade) who would like to prepare for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. The Sacramental Preparation Process includes special events such as Teaching Masses, Prayer Services, and Retreats, to make the most of this wondrous time of formation. 

Family Social Events
A team of parent leaders will plan family social gatherings and meaningful service projects this year. If you have great ideas and enjoy planning events, please join our parent leadership team.

Free Annual Subscription to FORMED.org
This digital platform contains over 5,000 Catholic contents including children’s programming, movies, bible studies, etc. Each subscription is valued at $100, and St. Rita Catholic Parish is pleased to subsidize a subscription for each of our families. Click here to sign up now.