St. Ignatius offers Faith Formation sessions for children First Grade through Eighth Grade in a weekly format for the Catechetical Year from September through the end of April.

Elementary Classes 1st to 5th Grades
St. Ignatius of Antioch offers three Elementary 1st thru 5th Grade Programs that meet on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Tuesday there is one program that meets at 6 p.m. On Wednesday there is one program that meets at 4:00 p.m.

Each class has grade level appropriate curriculum using textbooks from the “Faith First” Series for Elementary children. We help children form a lasting relationship with Jesus and learn about their Catholic Faith. THE WEEKLY CLASSES are led by volunteer Catechists (teachers) of different ages, cultures and life experiences. They help the children strengthen their relationship with Jesus and the Church by proclaiming the Word, Building a sense of Community, leading the children to prayer and worship and encouraging loving service to others and being role models of faith.

The Middle School Classes 6th, 7th & 8th Grades
The 6th, 7th and 8th Grades meet on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.

All Classes are one hour and fifteen minutes long.

Registration for classes is held in August; but as long as we have space we encourage children to begin. Children who attended classes the previously year will receive information in the mail for the “Welcome - Orientation Parent Sessions”. Parents can register their children during these sessions or by coming to the Faith Formation Office. Call for information: 778-1631

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PROGRAM SUMMARYTop

Basic Information
The Church teaches that families are the primary teachers of their children. Parents are the role models of faith for their children. Children will imitate their parent’s attitudes and beliefs. It is important for parents to be actively involved in parish life, attending Mass regularly, joining in social events, and volunteering their time and talent both within the parish and in the community at large. It is expected that families will actively participate in our Faith Formation events here at St. Ignatius of Antioch.

Moved into the parish in the middle of the year
If you move into the parish in the middle of the year and are transferring your children from another parish’s program, every effort will be made to get your children into our program so their religious education can continue without interruption. We welcome you to St. Ignatius of Antioch Parish and want to be of assistance. Come by the Faith Formation Office and introduce yourself and your family.

Sacramental Preparation
The usual progression for the celebration of First Communion begins when the child enters 1st grade. They should enroll at that time. The Diocesan Policy states that children must be in the 2nd grade or above and must have attended the previous year’s Faith Formation Program before entering into the year of Sacrament Preparation. Our First Eucharist Program here at St. Ignatius of Antioch is a non-graded program and is for any child 2nd grade or older who has attended the year prior to the year they begin their preparation. Reconciliation is required as part of the First Eucharist Preparation. Reconciliation preparation takes place in the first half of the year with First Reconciliation in January, than the second half of the years is devoted to Eucharist preparation with First Eucharist in the spring. Please see our Eucharist Brochure for details and qualifications.

Eucharist and Reconciliation for older children
Children in any grade level can be prepared in our Eucharist Preparation Program as it is designed for children of any age. You begin by registering your child for the Faith Formation Program as they must attend the Faith Formation Program for one year before they can enter into the Sacrament Preparation Program in order to prepare for their First Reconciliation and their First Eucharist. After they have been in the Faith Formation Program for one year then they can register for the Sacrament Preparation Program in their second year. (Please see the Eucharist Preparation Brochure for the details of the Eucharist Program.) They must also attend both the Faith Formation Program and the Sacrament Preparation in their year of preparation. We believe that it is most important for children to continue their education in Faith Formation thru the 8th Grade so they can be prepared to proceed into the Confirmation Preparation in High School.

The Sacrament of Baptism (Initiation) for older children
For children who are not baptized who have reached the age of 7 or above who request Baptism, we have a program called Christian Initiation of Children (C.I.C. Program). Gary Hack, our deacon who directs this program and can be reached at 757-1385.

The Sacrament of Baptism for Children under Seven
For children under 7 desiring Baptism, call the Parish Office at 778-0768 and make an appointment with one of the priests or deacons.

Children with Special Needs
If you have a child with special needs please call Vicki McCoy at 778-4092. Vicki is the parish contact for (SPRED) Special Religious Education. She can direct you to the proper age appropriate program.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children’s Liturgy of the Word is offered on most Sundays at the ten and the twelve noon liturgies except holidays and holy days. Please contact Mary Ewing at 778-5093 for more information.

Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure
The Children of St. Ignatius of Antioch are invited to participate in the parish program of Stewardship of Time, Talent and Treasure. Each fall a sign up effort is made to reach each child to acquire envelopes. Envelopes can be obtained any time from the Faith Formation Office.

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SCOPE AND SEQUENCE OF OUR FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMTop

It is most important for children to attend Faith Formation every year. Every grade level has it’s own level of curriculum and topics to cover.

First Grade
The First Grade introduces the child to the formal learning environment for their Faith Formation. They are introduced to the Gift of Faith; God the Creator, Jesus Son of God; The Holy Spirit; The Holy Family; The Catholic Church as the people of God; Seasons of the church’s year; Belonging, the Sacrament of Baptism; The Eucharist- Introduction to Mass; Making Choices; Kingdom of God; Prayer, Jesus Prayed; Our Father.

Second Grade
The Second Grade, first half of the year, supports the parish preparation for First Reconciliation: We Belong to God; We Follow Jesus; We listen to the Holy Spirit; We are Sorry; We are Forgiven; We are Peacemakers. They have an overview of the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, the Church and Act of Sorrow. The second part of the year supports the preparation for their First Eucharist: We Gather; We Listen; We Give Thanks; We Remember; We Celebrate; We live. They tour the church, look at the Mass, prepare to receive the Bread and the Wine, and review their prayers, the Our Father.

Third Grade
The Third Grade continues to develop the child’s understanding of their Eucharist and their membership in the church. God’s Revelation; God Creator –Creation; Annunciation, The Name of Jesus, Paschal Mystery, Pentecost, Founding of the Church, Last Supper, Liturgy of Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, The Great Commandment, First, Second and Third Commandments, Grace, The Our Father, Abba, Prayers of petition and intercession, The Creed, the Hail Mary.

Fourth Grade
Covenant, Scripture, Names of God, God’s plan for salvation, Birth of the Savior, Paschal Events of Jesus’ Death, Resurrection and Ascension, Coming of the Holy Spirit, Liturgy of the Church, Seven Sacraments, Healing, Reconciliation and Anointing, Making Choices, Conscience and moral decisions, Commandments, Beatitudes, Prayer.

Fifth Grade
Human desire for God, Bible Inspiration, New Testament, Liturgical year, The Seven Sacraments, Sacraments of Initiation, Baptism, Confirmation, Mystery of the Eucharist, The Sacraments of Healing, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, The Sacrament of Service, Marriage and Holy Orders, Holiness, Sanctifying Grace, Sin, Covenant and the Ten Commandments, Virtue of Love (Charity), Prayer. Sixth, Seventh and Eight Grades

Sixth Grade
Divine Revelation, The Bible, Hebrew Scriptures, Prophets, Creation, Salvation, Gospels, Historical Books of the Old Testament, Old Testament Images of the Eucharist, Parables, Holiness, Moral decisions, Natural law- the Ten Commandments, Oral Tradition, Wisdom Books, Book of Proverbs, Old Testament models of prayer, Psalms

Seventh Grade
Jesus in the New Testament- God’s Word, Torah, The Gospel, Four Gospels, Apostles, Disciple, Matthew - Sermon on the Mount, Beatitudes, Miracles, Mission, Luke as storyteller, John- Symbolic language, Letters, Paschal Mystery, Book of Revelations, New Jerusalem and the Second Coming, Allegory, Apocalyptic Writings, Grace, Virtue.
 
Mystery of God- Creation, Inspiration of the Bible, Attributes of God, Mystery of God, Original justice and original sin, Resurrection stories, Holy Spirit, Charisms and Gifts.

Eight Grade
Morality- Sacredness of human life- Intellect and free will, Christian Morality, Choice, Moral decisions, Teachings about love, Theological and moral virtues, Grace, God’s law, Commandments, Today’s Issues.
 
Church and Sacraments- New People of God, Christian prayer, Sacraments of Christian Initiation, Rite of Baptism, Rite of Confirmation, Celebration of the Eucharist, Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, Eucharist as Sacrament, Bread in the Old Testament, Bread in the Gospel, Sacraments of Healing, Elements of Reconciliation, Sacraments of Service.

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CLASS SCHEDULE 2011-2012Top

Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5
Weekly Classes on the following Tuesday and Wednesday dates
Tuesday Program at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Program at 4:15 p.m.
All classes will last an hour and fifteen minutes.

	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY
Opening Day - Prayer, Anointing & Blessing	September 13	September 14
	September 20	September 21
	September 27	September 28
	October 4	October 5
	October 11	October 12
	October 18	October 19
	October 25	October 26
No Sessions - November 1 & 2 Halloween - October 31 All Saint's Day - November 1 All Soul's Day - November 2	November 1	November 2
Veteran's Day - November 11	November 8	November 9
	November 15	November 16
No Sessions - November 22 & 23 Thanksgiving - November 24	November 22	November 23
Advent Begins - November 27	November 29	November 30
Feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8	December 6	December 7
	December 13	December 14
No Sessions Christmas Recess - December 20, 21, 27 & 28 Winter Recess - January 3 & 4 Christmas - December 25 New Year's Day - January 1	December 20 December 27 January 3	December 21 December 28 January 4
	January 10	January 11
Martin Luther King Day - January 16	January 17	January 18
	January 24	January 25
	January 31	February 1
	February 7	February 8
Valentine's Day - February 14	February 14	February 15
No Sessions Ask Wednesday Week - February 21 & 22 President's Day - February 20 Lent Begins - Ash Wednesday - February 22	February 21	February 22
	February 28	February 29
	March 6	March 7
St. Patrick's Day - March 17	March 13	March 14
	March 20	March 21
	March 27	March 28
No Sessions Holy Week Recess - April 3 & 4 Spring Recess - April 10 & 11 The Sacred Triduum Holy Thursday - April 5 Good Friday - April 6 Resurrection Vigil - April 7 Easter Sunday - April 8	April 3 April 10	April 4 April 11
	April 17	April 18
	April 24	April 25
Closing Festivities - Prayer, Pizza and Fellowship	May 1	May 2

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CLASS SCHEDULE 2011-2012Top

Grades 6, 7, and 8
Weekly Classes on the following Wednesday dates
Wednesday Programs for Grades 6, 7 and 8 at 6:00 p.m.
All classes will last an hour and fifteen minutes.

	WEDNESDAY
Opening Day - Prayer, Anointing & Blessing	September 28
	October 5
	October 12
	October 19
	October 26
Halloween - October 31 All Saint's Day - November 1 All Soul's Day - November 2	November 2
Veteran's Day - November 11	November 9
	November 16
No Session - November 23 Thanksgiving - November 24	November 23
Advent Begins - November 27	November 30
Feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8	December 7
	December 14
No Sessions Christmas Recess - December 21 & 28 Winter Recess - January 4 Christmas - December 25 New Year's Day - January 1	December 21 December 28 January 4
	January 11
Martin Luther King Day - January 16	January 18
	January 25
	February 1
	February 8
Valentine's Day - February 14	February 15
No Session - February 22 Lent Begins - Ash Wednesday - February 22 President's Day - February 20	February 22
	February 29
	March 7
St. Patrick's Day - March 17	March 14
	March 21
Closing Festivities - Prayer, Pizza & Fellowship	March 28
Class Ends Holy Week - April 2 - 6 The Sacred Triduum Holy Thursday - April 5 Good Friday - April 6 Resurrection Vigil - April 7 Easter Sunday - April 8