I wanted to take a minute and just thank you and the entire team there for this amazing program. It has brought our entire family so much closer in our faith and the lessons are great.
We ordered the family program last year and it was incredible. I even started going to adoration once a week so I could use that time to prep and read over the lesson before teaching the kids.
I’m so so grateful for the impact it’s had on our family. Thank you again and keep up the great work!
“Our families loved going to Adoration together on Wednesday! Most of our parents had never gone to Adoration before—so this was a new experience for many. We are going to do more of this for sure!”
“It’s not just about the faith, but also about having ‘healthy’ families who spend quality time together on topics that matter for their lives and their happiness.”
We’re glad to have Saint Cecilia’s back with us again this year and we encourage you to read this article from The Catholic Globe about how Family Formation works at their parish.
This Friday the Rediscover: Hour begins their First Friday of the month series featuring Great Catholic Parishes here in the Twin Cities, and we are delighted to announce that their kick-off will feature Family Formation here at the Church of Saint Paul! Listeners will hear the basics of how it works in our parish, in other parishes, in family life, and how to bring this proven method of family catechesis to their own parish.
Click over to their page to learn more about the series, more about this particular broadcast, and (eventually) to listen to the archived version.
Hear the Rediscover: Hour Fridays at 9:00 a.m., Saturdays at 6:00 p.m., and Sundays at 9:00 a.m. on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
A recent post on the Facebook page of Bishop Frank Caggiano from the Diocese of Bridgeport:
Yesterday morning I had the wonderful experience of leading a catechetical session for parents whose children attend the faith formation program at Saint Michael’s Church in Greenwich. Earlier this month I had the same opportunity to engage parents at Saint Marguerite Parish in Brookfield. My topic was the Eucharist. The time that I spent with the parents allowed me to present the tenets of our Catholic faith and engage in a wonderful sharing of faith, answering some questions that many parents are facing regarding how best to explain our faith to their children. I enjoyed my time with all the parents that I met yesterday and earlier this month and promise to pray for them as they strive to be the best of teachers in this very challenging world.
These parent formation sessions form part of an innovative catechetical formation program led by Mrs. Mary Ellen Tiernan who serves as the director of faith formation in both parishes. It is based on the premise that the parent, as the first and best teacher of the Catholic faith to his or her child, needs support and formation to fulfill this important vocation. Once a month the parents come to the group session, at the same time that their children attend their monthly group class, and receive materials for the remainder of the month to engage their children in catechetical formation. Overall, it is mutually beneficial for parents and children alike, enriching their faith and strengthening both their families and the larger community that these families form in their parish. I wish to commend Mary Ellen and her staff for their wonderful ministry.
While we are all aware of the many challenges we face as a church, innovative programs such as the one I experienced yesterday give me great hope. For every challenge in life is also an opportunity to grow in our personal lives and to trust that the Lord will lead us to renewal and new life.
Thank you to Mary Ellen for being such an enthusiastic ambassador for Family Formation and to Bishop Caggiano for his kind words about the program!
This fantastic testimony is in our email this morning:
Miracles are happening at our parish through Family Formation. I was just informed by a parishioner about an alcoholic family member that stayed sober all day to attend First Communion class with his wife and daughter today. He wouldn’t need to do that if we had a traditional method like we used to. My volunteers, pastor, and I are praising God tonight for this miracle. That’s why we use Family Formation… because these sorts of results are invaluable. THANK YOU!
