CHILD REGISTRATION FORM:
Registration forms are available at the parish in the vestibule (near the Main Entrance), at the office or online. Please click on the registration attachment below to print out the form. and return to the parish office during the week (refer to parish office hours on main page) or to the blue basket labeled Brandon in the vestibule. You can also take a picture of the Faith Formation Registration Form and email to [email protected] 

CONSENT FOR RELEASE FORM:
Must be filled out completely, signed, and turned in to Brandon at the parish office or to the dropbox in the vestibule. Please do not email this form!!! Review the form for more information.

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
1. Faith Formation registration fees are only $15 for the year! Make payment at the office during business hours.
2. Place in the offertory basket at Mass. If paying by check, write Faith Formation Fee on the memo line and place into an envelope and write attention Brandon on the envelope. If paying cash, please place into an envelope . . . on the envelope write "Attention Brandon, Faith Formation Fee." 
3. During the first and second week of class (Sunday, September 10th & 17th), there will be a registration/fee table setup outside the Faith Formation doors to collect payment & registrations.
4. We DO NOT have online payments available at this time. 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
The deadline to register is October 1st!! We will NOT take registrations after this date, especially for sacramental years!! For sacramental years, if your child registers late, they will need to make-up missed classes.

CLASS BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH 

 SCHEDULE & TIMES (schedules attached below):
PreK - 6th (Classrooms): 12:15pm - 1:30pm
Seventh Grade (Social Hall): 12:15 - 1:45pm
Confirmation (Social Hall): 12:15pm - 1:45pm
Youth Class (Classrooms): 12:15pm - 1:45pm

DROP OFF & PICKUP

PREK - 6TH GRADE: 
Parents, please enter through the East Faith Formation Wing doors at 12:10 and walk your child to their classroom. One of the classroom volunteers will have a sign in/out sheet, please find your child's name on the sheet and initial under the correct date to sign in. When picking up your child from class, park your vehicle along the street on the east side of the parish building and go to the exterior classroom doors, which will be marked with the proper grade. Please sign your child out of class as well.

CONFIRMATION & 7th GRADE:
Parents, please walk your child through the Social Hall doors. At 12:10 your child may enter their classroom. One of the confirmation volunteers will have a sign in/out sheet, please find your child's name on the sheet and initial under the correct date to sign in. Unless the temperatures are cold, volunteers will be outside to help you sign your child out of class. Signing in and out helps us to get to know parent and guardian faces. Thanks for your understanding!

WALKING HOME:
If your child walks to and from the parish to attend class, please consider dropping off and picking up your child to and from the parish. We want them to stay safe!

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION CLASS INFO:
The teaching resource is called "Blessed" from Dynamic Catholic. In the fall, the class focuses on First Reconciliation. The children will be taught about the sacrament of reconciliation and learn the Act of Contrition. There will be a two hour morning retreat on Saturday, December 2nd from 10:00 to noon. First Confessions will be during Faith Formation in December.

In January, the class will learn about the Eucharist and continue learning their prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be. Save the dates below:

First Holy Communion Retreat: Friday, May 31st @ 6:00pm
First Holy Communion on the Feast of Corpus Christi: Saturday, June 1st @ 4:00pm or Sunday June 2nd @ 9:00am or 11:00am. 

**Parents, you can choose which Mass your child is to receive their First Holy Communion. A sign up will be emailed to you later in the year.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION EXPECTATIONS:
1.BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE: Please turn in a copy of your child's baptismal certificate with your registration form as soon as possible.
2. CLASS ATTENDANCE: If your child misses more than 3 classes, we ask that they make-up class work from home.
3. RETREAT ATTENDANCE: We ask that your child attends the scheduled fall & spring Saturday retreat days. The fall retreat prepares them for First Reconciliation & the spring retreat for Holy Communion.
4. PRAYERS: Throughout the year, please work with your child on their prayers, as they will be tested on: the Our Father; Hail Mary; Glory Be; & Act of Contrition.

CONFIRMATION CLASS INFO:
Confirmation is the final initiation sacrament, which strengthens us to witness the faith, perfecting our baptism. The age to receive the sacrament is 8th grade. The primary curriculum used is called "Chosen."

CONFIRMATION EXPECTATIONS:
1. CLASS ATTENDANCE: Please Attend Class! We realize that there are things that come up in life such as sickness or family events. However, please bring your child to every class if possible. If more than 3 classes are missed, we will ask that they make-up the class. Parents if situations arise, please contact Brandon.
2. SPONSOR: Each candidate must choose a sponsor. Two sponsors may be selected but only one is recorded in the sacramental record. Sponsors are invited to attend the last class of each month.

**Sponsors must be in good standing with the Church; at least 16 years of age; and have received the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation; they cannot be the candidate's parents; must be actively involved in the process; a good model for the living of the life of a faithful Catholic who is continually nourishing his/her own faith through active participation.

3. SAINT REPORT: Each candidate must choose a confirmation saint & present a short class report. The saint should be prayerfully considered, since this will be your child's confirmation saint.
4. RETREAT: Each candidate is highly encouraged to attend the spring retreat on Saturday, March 2nd from 10:00am to 5:00pm.
5. VOLUNTEERING: Each candidate is expected to volunteer during Mass two times in the year & volunteer at one other parish event & complete a service project helping out a family member, friend, or neighbor. More information will be provided at class. 
6. LETTER TO PASTOR: Formal letter to Father Gus. Instructions will be provided.
7. LETTER TO THE BISHOP: Formal letter to Bishop Golka. Instructions will be provided.
8. MOST IMPORTANTLY: ATTEND MASS EVERY SUNDAY!! The Eucharist is our spiritual food & a necessity to obtaining beatitude with God:

"Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood
remains in me and I in him (Jn 6: 53-56)."

9. HOMILY SUMMARY ASSIGNMENTS: Each week, we ask that your child write a five to six line summary of the Mass homily to include: who the homilist was for Mass; what they spoke about; what your child learned; and how they can apply the teaching to their life. Any missed assignments must be completed.
10. END OF YEAR EXAMINATION: A test will be given to gauge your knowledge of Confirmation. From that test, you will have a verbal examination. Don't Be Afraid!!

** By learning about Church teaching, confirmation, the saints, prayer, going to Mass and writing reflections about what they learned from the homily, your child will grow in their spiritual life and grow closer to God. Not to mention it will greatly prepare them for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The goal for each of us is to conform ourselves into the image of Jesus Christ. 

YOUTH CLASS:

Many Catholics begin falling away from the faith in their teen years! If you have been confirmed & are under 18, you are invited to this class! It's not as formal as a regular faith formation class but gives post-confirmation teens an opportunity to continue growing in their faith, participate in fun activities, sometimes off-site activities, and share their life struggles. The main teaching focus this year is on the Mass & Prayer. My hope . . . this class will help your child remain rooted & growing strongly in their Catholic Faith & community! There's two Sunday Classes per month & one Saturday field trip day a month.

As always, please contact me with any questions or concerns.

In Christ through Mary,

Brandon Allen
Director of Faith Formation & Discipleship
Saint Joseph, Colorado Springs 

719-632-9903 ext.112 or [email protected]