K – 12
If you are new to the parish or your elementary or middle school child (grades 1 – 8) need sacraments, please contact Seferina Del Valle.
The Good Shepherd Faith Formation program consists of several elements working together for lifelong Family Faith Formation and the support of parents as the first formers of your children’s faith:
Mass
The first and most critical element is the family’s weekly attendance at Mass. All other aspects of the program, and of our faith, stem from the Eucharist, the Source and Summit of our faith. The Mass teaches and reinforces so many aspects of our faith. Completing weekly assignments without attending Mass gives children and teens a disjointed and incomplete experience.
Classes at Good Shepherd
The Faith Formation program this year returns to the classrooms. Starting this fall, our faith formation program requires weekly classroom sessions that follow a formal curriculum. We are happy to welcome once again catechists and children for traditional weekly classes.
Our classroom curriculum will follow Our Sunday Visitor’s Alive in Christ. This program invites children to hear God’s invitation to a personal relationship through His Word, helps them discover and learn the Church’s teaching in precise theological language, and teaches them how to live as Catholic disciples.
The grade-level class sessions will meet weekly. Classes will be assigned by preference and availability.
Grades 1 – 6 (English)
- Monday or Thursday: 5 – 6pm
- Monday or Thursday: 6:30 – 7:30pm
Grades 7 – 8 (English)
- Sunday: 5 – 6:15pm
- Wednesday: 6 – 7:15pm or 7:30 – 8:45pm
Grades 1 – 6 (en español)
- Tuesday: 5:45 – 7pm
For any questions about grades 1-8 classes or sacramental preparation, please contact Seferina Del Valle.
Pflaum Gospel Weeklies
Bring the Mass alive for your family with this liturgically based program focusing on the Sunday Gospels. Support materials include The Gospel at Home weekly resource with discussion starters and activity ideas related to the week’s theme, videos for the entire family, and on-line assessments and reviews. The Gospel Weeklies should be completed in as close proximity to Sunday Mass attendance as possible. The Gospel Weeklies will continue to be an important complementary tool in the process of forming our children’s faith.
Family Events
Family Events will be offered at Good Shepherd throughout the year. These fun events will offer a variety of activities to support and reinforce the Gospel Weeklies lessons as well as celebrate key moments throughout the year – Mardi Gras, Journey to the Manger, Signs and Symbols of Lent, and more. Click below to learn more!
Sacramental Preparation
First Reconciliation and First Communion
Grades 1 – 6
Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion is a two-year process that typically begins in 1st grade and the children receive these sacraments in May of their 2nd year.
In addition to attending Mass and participating in the Gospel Weeklies program and Family Events, children who are preparing for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will have additional requirements.
Contact Seferina Del Valle with any questions about grades 1 – 6 sacramental preparation.
Confirmation
Grades 7 – 12
At Good Shepherd, preparation for Confirmation is a two-year process which typically occurs during 7th and 8th grades with Confirmation taking place in Fall of the 9th grade year.
If your Middle or High Schooler has not yet received First Reconciliation or First Eucharist, preparation for those sacraments will have additional requirements. First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will take place in the Spring of their second year of preparation.
Contact Seferina Del Valle with any questions about Confirmation for grades 7 – 8.
Contact Miguel DeAngel with any questions about grades 9 – 12 sacramental preparation.
