Dear Parents/Guardians, 

Grace and peace of Christ be with you. The catechesis of your children is of the utmost  on my heart. After evaluating the current religious education program and formation,  I have been praying about how we can best serve the children and parents of Sts. Peter  & Paul, Frelsburg and St. Roch, Mentz. We are eager to offer the Family Formation  program beginning in the fall. This program has a new vision with new vitality. 

It does, however, call for a shift and hence the purpose of my writing to you. At the  root of this change is a fuller understanding of the Church’s call for parents to be the  primary educators of their children in Faith and the parish’s role to support families in  this mission. National trends in catechesis are guiding parishes toward this  understanding. Parishes that have implemented Family Formation are reporting a  stronger Faith knowledge and practice in their communities.  

When your children were baptized, you promised to raise and nurture your children in  the Faith. This is not an easy task, and we want to support and assist you. The  following is taken from the General Directory of Catechesis, Articles 255 and 227:  

“Parents are the primary educators in the faith ... It is for this reason that the  Christian community must give very special attention to parents. By means of  personal contact, meetings, courses and also adult catechesis directed towards  parents, the Christian community must help them assume their responsibility— which is particularly delicate today—of educating their children in the faith.” 

Family Formation will replace the weekly classes and home-study. This is a shift from  a weekly classroom model for children to a monthly session for children and parents at  church. At the monthly sessions, children gather with a teacher by combined grade  levels while parents receive catechesis based on the monthly theme and guidance on the  home lessons. This program is not just for families with children. Anyone who is  interested in attending the monthly adult teaching are welcome to attend. This  program’s unique format will draw your family together through the enthusiastic faith  of your children. Its creativity and simple concepts make learning fun, as each lesson  is written at an elementary level but with adult level instruction to guide and enhance  your teaching. Parents do not have to be experts in the Faith, just willing to devote  about an hour a week to quality family time in sharing the Faith.  

Understanding the busy schedules of today’s families, the weekly lessons at home can  be adapted to your own family schedule. The lessons will provide the backbone for your children’s spiritual formation in these formative years. This comprehensive  program not only engages young children, it draws families together, and equips  parents to do a first-rate job in teaching the Catholic Faith to their children. 

The Family Formation program is for families with children in kindergarten through  sixth grade. It follows a three-year liturgical cycle, is faithful to the teachings of the  Catholic Church, is driven by Sacred Scripture, and references the Catechism of the  Catholic Church. It covers all tenets of our Catholic Faith.  There is a separate Family Formation program for those preparing for the sacraments  of Reconciliation and Holy Communion. Students in our program will meet at the same  classroom time as regular Family Formation students. Their time with their catechist  will cover the curriculum for the sacraments. You will also have home materials to  further the conversation. Deadline to register for the sacrament of Reconciliation and  Holy Communion is August 20^th. 

Family Formation nights will be held on the first Wednesday of the month starting in  September from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul, Frelsburg in the Dinning Hall. 

September 7 (Kickoff Session)  
October 5  
October 26 (This is not the 1st Wednesday but the week before due to All Souls Day)  December 7  
January 4  
February 1  
March 1  
March 29 (This is not the 1st Wednesday but the week before due to Holy Week)  May 3 

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the program. 

Sincerely in Christ, 

Andrea Krenek 

979-885-9158 

re@peterandpaulparish.com