St. Paul Catholic Church

"Like all living things, a living faith needs
nourishment, which one only finds above all in union
with Christ - the way and the truth and the life."
(Jn 14:6)

SACRAMENTS

ADULT FORMATION

YOUTH FORMATION

St. Paul Parish religious education programs for the 2011-201 school year are held at 9am beginning with Mass, unless you attend
another Mass time, followed with instructions in the classroom from 10 am till 11:15am. Our faith formation sessions are for Preschool (3
& 4 yr olds) through 8th grade. Participation in our RE Programs allows children to begin the initial preparation for the Sacraments of
First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation. Confirmation is offered to 8th graders. Preparation for each of these sacraments
is a 2-year process and it is during the 2nd year (usually 2nd grade) that the child begins the specific Sacrament training and celebrates
the sacrament.

The following are requirements for First Eucharist:

Child must be baptized- a copy of their baptismal certificate must be presented at time of registration.
Has celebrated First Reconciliation and have completed at least 1 year of initial Faith Formation and are currently attending

our parish RE sessions.

Contact the RE Director Yolanda Gutierrez for additional information (210) 733-7152.

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL
Elementary Faith Formation
Offers families with children in grades Kinder through 5th a classroom environment to learn about their Catholic faith. Children will gather
in grade level groups for a 75 minute session on the scheduled Sundays. Elementary sessions are scheduled to allow families to attend
Mass together. It is important for our children to become active, conscious participants in the Sunday Liturgy. Faith Formation does not
take the place of Sunday Liturgy, all children/youth should be attending Mass either before or after class.

Preschool Faith Formation
Offers families with children age 3 (by Sept. 1st) through 5 (not in Kinder) a classroom environment to learn about their Catholic faith.
Children will gather in age level groups on scheduled Sundays. The material used is from FaithFirst/RCL Benziger entitled: Stories of
God’s Love.

Middle school (6th & 7th grades) Faith Formation
Offers families with young people a positive and safe atmosphere where they become more aware of God’s love for them through
instructions, faith sharing, and in discovering their gifts through service. This group also uses FaithFirst: “FaithFirst lessons are built
upon the three foundations: the word of God clearly expressed, worship and prayer, and the call to service for the reign of God.”

FaithFirst/Confirmation book is used to prepare our 8th graders for the sacrament of Confirmation. “Here are two principles that guide
catechesis in preparation for the Sacraments of Christian Initiation—Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Sacraments are always a beginning. Young people will grow in their understanding and experience of the sacraments as their faith
deepens.

Sacraments of Christian Initiation do not signal graduation or completion in any way, but celebrate the beginning of a lifetime lived
in the generosity of a gracious God.

This program is specifically designed to help young people celebrate their Confirmation liturgy more fully, consciously, and actively.”
Candidates for Confirmation are also required 12 hours of service accompanied by a parent or sponsor.

As catechists, we are here to assist you with your children’s faith formation and hope for the privilege of partnering with you in your
journey with the holy Trinity. And, would like to reiterate these statements found in the NDC: (C. Parents and Families, pg 234)
“Parents are the most influential agents of catechesis for their children. They have a unique responsibility for the education of their
children; they are the first educators, or catechists. They catechize primarily by the witness of their Christian lives and by their love for the
faith. One way that parents communicate Christian values and attitudes to their children is by loving each other within the context of a
Christian marriage and their love for Christ and his Church. Their participation in the life of the parish—–above all in the Sunday
Eucharist—their willingness to evangelize and serve others, and their dedication to daily prayer demonstrate the authenticity of their
profession of faith.
‘...The catechesis given by parents with the family “precedes, accompanies and enriches all other forms of catechesis.’ When children
are baptized, parents accept the responsibility to bring up their children in the practice of the faith and to see to it that the divine life that
God gives them is kept safe from the poison of sin, to grow always stronger in their hearts.”

HIGH SCHOOL

All High School youth (8th grade - 12th grade) are invited and encouraged to join LIFE TEEN. Life Teen is a Eucharist-based ministry
leading teens into a closer relationship with Christ. It is challenging for teens to make the right decisions as a young Catholic in the world
today. Life Teen helps them learn how to live their Catholic life at school, online, and with their family. Life Teen meets on Sundays from
4:00pm-5:15pm, followed with Mass at 5:30pm. To sign up contact Youth Director Lisa Delgado at (210) 733-7152.

QUINCEANERA BLESSING: St. Paul Youth are invited to receive a quinceañera blessing during a regularly scheduled weekend Mass,
except the Sunday, 9:00 am Mass. Please contact Lisa at least three months prior to the celebration to find out about requirements and
for scheduling purposes.

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