We seek to form young disciples by introducing them to Jesus and our Catholic Christian faith. Our children come to know the love that Jesus has for them and seek to share that love with others. Because children and youth are part of Faith Formation for All, they gather on Wednesday evenings with others who are also seeking to grow in their faith, instilling in them the message that our formation in faith is a lifelong journey.

Scroll down for registration information.

Materials

We use the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies materials for grades K–1 and 3–8. Participants hear and learn the Sunday Gospel to be better prepared to love and live the Gospel. Further information about the curriculum can be found at pflaumweeklies.com.

Schedule

5:45 Monthly Community Meal*

6:30 Prayer Service in the Church

6:45 Faith formation sessions

7:45 Grades K-8 end

* Meal will require an RSVP. Look for sign up in bulletin on meal weeks.

2025 – 2026 Calendar 

October
1            FFA – Week 1*
8            FFA – Week 2
15          MEA break
22          FFA – Week 3
29          FFA – Week 4* 

November
5            FFA – Week 5
12          FFA – Week 6
19          All Parish Advent Wreath Making Night*
26          Thanksgiving break

December
3            FFA – Week 7
10          FFA – Week 8
11          First Reconciliation Celebration
17          FFA – Week 9*
24          winter break
31          winter break

 January
7            FFA – Week 10*
14          FFA – Week 11
21          FFA – Week 12
28          All Parish Jell-O Bingo Night*

February
4            FFA – Week 13
11          FFA – Week 14
18          Ash Wednesday
25          FFA – Week 15* 

March  
4            FFA – Week 16
11          FFA – Week 17
18          FFA – Week 18
25          FFA – Week 19*

April
1            Holy Week
8            spring break
15          FFA – Week 20*
22          FFA – Week 21
25          First Communion Retreat
29          FFA – Week 22

May
3            First Communion Celebrations
6            FFA – Week 23
13          Table Prayer*
17          Registration for fall

*Dinner included these nights

Protection of Children and Youth Initiative

Faith Formation for All catechists are trained for their ministry role. An initial training session is provided as well as yearly renewal sessions. In addition, all adults undergo a background check, complete safe environment training and sign a Code of Conduct. All catechists under age 18 provide written references and sign the Youth Code of Conduct.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) mandates that all dioceses provide age-appropriate, church-approved safety instruction for children in faith formation. Children in grades K-5 will engage in the safety awareness program KidSmartz, grade 6 uses NetSmartz and grades 7-8 use the middle school NetSmartz. For more  information contact the Coordinator of Faith Formation with Children.

Registration

To register your child for our Faith Formation for All ministry, please download and print it out. After completion, the form may be mailed to or dropped off at the parish office. Our mailing address is found on the form.

The faith questions we have as adults are not the same as the ones that occupied our minds as children. At Saint Thomas the Apostle, we seek to engage adults as adults – respected in their unique state of life and their own journey in faith.

Formation for Adults is part of our overall focus on helping people be formed as Disciples of Christ in order to live our faith in the world.

For 2025-2026, there will be multiple opportunities for Adult Formation.  Adults are invited to gather either in person or online (via Zoom sessions).  Some groups will meet on an on-going basis while others will meet seasonally during Advent and Lent.  (Wednesday evening sessions will include a monthly community meal and a weekly brief prayer service prior to the breakout session).

Content

On-going groups will have an opportunity for catechesis and discussion on the Sunday Readings or may periodically choose from other offerings such as books or new Church documents.  Seasonal groups will be able to sign up to study Advent or Lenten themes, books or video resources.

Periodically, Erin O’Leary, Director of Discipleship will offer CAFÉ sessions- Catholic Adult Formation and Education sessions where participants can come to learn more about a specific topic, discuss and have casual Q & A times.

There will also be opportunities for guest speakers and group video viewing and discussion.

Registration

Registration for on-going groups takes place in September, but you may join any time during the year and do not have to be present at every session.

Seasonal Group registration will take place just prior to each season.

Periodic CAFÉ sessions, guest speakers, films, etc. will be announced in advance and often will not require registration but watch the email news for information!

Tentative Schedule- Beginning after Registration

Adult Group Opportunities will vary in schedule.  The number of times each month that on-going groups will meet will also vary depending on holidays, other parish events, etc.  In general, on-going small groups will meet at the following times (with more options added as needed.)

Tuesday evening, 6:30 – 8:00, via Zoom

Wednesday morning, 10:00 – 11:30, in the Parish Center Living Room

Wednesday evening – 5:45 monthly community meal* in Dillon Hall, 6:30 prayer in Church, 6:45-8 adult formation in Dillon Hall

*Meal will require an RSVP. Look for sign up in the bulletin on meal weeks.

Weekly Adult schedule can vary, please refer to weekly bulletin for any changes to the above schedule.

For more information, contact Erin O’Leary: [email protected]

Saint Thomas Aquinas famously said, “grace perfects nature.” As Catholics, we believe that the Sacraments are channels of God’s grace. Our ability to receive and appreciate that grace is enriched when we are well-prepared to celebrate those Sacraments. Therefore, we offer ministries of preparation for those children who expect to celebrate the church’s Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist, those youth who expect to celebrate Confirmation, and those adults who are seeking to marry, to have their child baptized, or themselves be initiated into the Catholic Church. For more information, please go to our Sacraments page and explore the Sacraments of interest to you.

Catechists (Teachers)

Sacramental Preparation catechists are trained for their ministry role. An initial training session is provided as well as yearly renewal sessions. The time commitment is approximately two hours most Wednesday evenings from September through May. Any parish member high school age or older is welcome. In addition, all adults undergo a background check, complete safe environment training and sign a Code of Conduct. All catechists under age 18 provide written references and sign the Youth Code of Conduct.

Our catechists are the backbone of Faith Formation for All and we would be unable to provide this ministry without them. We always need catechists to lead, substitute and help with special projects. Please consider offering your talent and time to this meaningful and fun ministry.