Children's Faith Formation Overview

St. Joseph 2024-2025
 Children’s Faith Formation (CFF)
Sessions begin September 8, 2024
For questions, please contact [email protected]

Return to Children's Faith Formation page

Calendar of CFF Classes 2024-2025    

Your Vocation as a Parent                                                       

Are you new to the CFF Program?


Where are the Formation Rms, 200 Bldg?     
                      








Interested in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)? See Fr. Emanuel's invitation here.

Children's Faith Formation Weekly Family Newsletters

Catechists Weekly Newsletter

Confirmation Day of Service Donation Items!

 Children’s Sessions PreK - Grade 6

Sunday 9 - 10:15 a.m. or Tuesday 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. Sessions meet 2-3 times a month in person at St. Joseph School classrooms. Group size is ideally limited to 15 with at least one catechist and teen aide per group.

Peer Group Sessions Grades 7-8
Sunday 9 -10:30 a.m. or Sunday 7 -8:30 p.m. or Tuesday 7 - 8:30 p.m. Sessions meet 2-3 times a month in person, in catechists’ homes, or at St. Joseph meeting spaces. Two adult catechists lead and teach together each group of 10 -15 young people. These groups generally stay together over the two years engaging in small-group faith sharing, service opportunities, participation in the Mass, and growing more mature faith life. 

• Mass Reflection Google Form   (Example of Mass Reflection)
• Service Reflection Google Form  (Example of Service Reflection)
• Saint Research Google Form  (Example of Saint Research) 
• List of websites for Saint Research
• Confirmation Forms 
  • Confirmation Information (Due Dec 3rd)
  • Sponsor Statement (Due Dec 3rd)
  • Candidacy Letter to Bishop (Due Dec 10th) *Must be printed & signed in ink by the Confirmation Candidate*

Sacramental Preparation
CFF follows Archdiocesan guidelines for a two-year process. Children enrolled in our Faith Building sessions for Grades 1 and 2 prepare for Reconciliation and First Communion and in Grades 7 and 8 prepare for Confirmation. Special Circumstances are best served by making an appointment with a staff member to discuss the best fit: [email protected]

Additional Sacrament Preparation

Sessions offered as needed include Baptism- age 3 and older First Communion – age 8 and older Confirmation - high school teens Parents of children under age 3 who seek baptism for their child should register to participate in Infant Baptism classes. Class registration is through the parish office at 847-362-2073.

Rite of Christian Initiation Adapted for Children
This is a process that welcomes non-baptized children or children baptized in a church other than Catholic age 8 and older into the Catholic Church and prepares them to receive the Sacraments of Initiation.

Special Religious Education Development (SPRED)
SPRED welcomes friends from age 6 through adulthood with developmental and intellectual challenges and other special needs into full participation in our faith community. Contact: John Brodarick, SPRED Ministry, [email protected]

 Families are expected to regularly attend Mass at their choice of weekend or day, time, and format. Students will receive a Gospel Weekly lesson to discuss at home and submit Mass reflections and/or lesson assignments.

Volunteer Opportunities for Confirmation Students &/or Families

Prayers Students Should Know by Grade Level

 Weekend Mass Schedule
Saturday 5 p.m. – In Church
Sunday 9 a.m. - In Church or Livestream
Sunday 11a.m. – In Church
Sunday 5 p.m. In Church

Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Faith Formation Program:

• See what the gospel/topic for class sessions
• Short video about the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies Program
• See how this program fits within the Catechism of the Catholic Church
• Pflaum Gospel Weekly Fact Sheet
• Pflaum Gospel Weeklies: An Introduction for Families

Protecting God's Children
USCCB's Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People
Here you will find the PowerPoint presentations & Presenter's Guide for the different grade levels.

Child Safety

• K-8th Grade
  • Videos
  • Presenter Guide

Internet Safety

• PreK-2nd Grade
  • PowerPoint
  • Presenter Guide
• 3rd-5th Grade
  • PowerPoint
  • Presenter Guide
• 6th-8th Grade
  • PowerPoint
  • Presenter Guide