Faith Formation Programs for School Age Children

Family Faith Formation

Family Faith Formation Registration 2024-2025

Family Faith Formation has two components. The first will be large group sessions for the whole family held in person about once a month for an hour and a half on a Sunday afternoon. The second will be family sessions held by each family in their homes about twice a month with support from the Office of Religious Education and the great kits we will provide each family.

Number of Students	Registered Family at St. James	Non-registered Family
1	$180	Call the RE office- 310.379.3221
2	$260	Call the RE office - 310.379.3221
3 or more	$340	Call the RE office -310.379.3221

Sacramental Preparation

For parents seeking Baptism or First Communion preparation for their children seven years and older, please call the Religious Education office at 310.379.3221 for further information. For parents seeking Baptism for their children below the age of seven, click here>

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Celebrated at the 10am Mass for children ages 4-12 on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month starting in September until May. No registration is required.

Traditional Faith Formation

Traditional Faith Formation Registration 2024-2025

Traditional Faith Formation will take place on Tuesdays during the school year from 4:30-5:30 pm at the Parish Center. Traditional classes will follow a curriculum from Saint Mary’s Press that is outlined below.

Curriculum

Grade / Year	Curriculum	Day Offered	Time
1	God Loves Us	Tuesday	4:30 - 5:30 PM
2	Sacraments of Reconciliation & Eucharist	Tuesday	4:30 - 5:30 PM
3	We Are the Church	Tuesday	4:30 - 5:30 PM
4	Our Covenant with God	Tuesday	4:30 - 5:30 PM
5	Sacraments	Tuesday	4:30 - 5:30 PM
6	Connect! Bringing Faith to Life - Year 1	Tuesday	4:30 - 5:30 PM
7 & 8	Connect! Bringing Faith to Life - Year 2 & 3	Tuesday	4:30 - 5:30 PM
	Connect! This three-year interactive program, presents the core teachings of the Catholic faith in a way that helps young people in grades 6-8 connect learning with living. The program explores the four doctrinal pillars of the Catholic faith: The Creed, Liturgy & Sacraments, Christian Morality & Justice, and Prayer.

The curriculum includes the above areas, but is not limited to those topics.

Serving Within the RE Programs

Are you an adult who seeks to live out your baptismal call by serving in one of our Religious Education programs? We can help you discern which program fits your gifts, so please contact us so we can start you on the path to be prepared to minister with children.

Remember, there are many ways to help the families of the parish as they raise children of faith, and our programs are open to all parish families, regardless of where your children attend school. Some activities will occur just once during the year. Other activities occur monthly, twice a month, or weekly. You can share your gifts with the community in the following programs for parish children and families:

• Traditional Faith Formation classes (Catechists, Aides, Yard Duty, Yard Monitors)
• Family Faith Formation (Catechists, Mentors, Aides)
• Sacramental Preparation (Catechists, Aides)
• Children’s Initiation (formerly Children’s RCIA)
• Children’s Liturgy of the Word (twice a month at the 10am Mass)
• Family Day of Service Coordinators
• Family Field Trip Coordinators
• Family Faith Formation Experiences for Advent and Lent (single day events)

 

Please call our office at 310-379-3221 for more information about our programs or to learn more about how to get involved.