Family Form – This Form should be completed by the Pillar Group during the Activation Phase using all Parish Form input. Use this as a checklist for major topics to be discussed and documented.

*To obtain further details regarding the Faith Formation programs, please reference the resources section of this app*

1. Determine the schedule for Faith Formation Programs (K-12) for the Family of Parishes
   • Family Faith Formation Program (K-6^th Gr) 
   • Junior high School program (7^th– 8^th Gr) 
   • High School program (9^th -12^th Gr) 
   • Sacramental Preparation Programs
   • First Reconciliation
   • First Communion
   • Confirmation
   • Family Inclusive Catechesis Program (K-12^th Grades) 
   • Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (3-6 years old)

Recommendation for creating schedule: 

1. 1. Consider Mass times
   2. Consider regional school calendar and schedules of families/ students in your programs when determining days and times of your Faith Formation program
   3. Consider combining calendars from each school district to determine the FOP Faith formation schedule and liturgical events
2. Safe Environment 
   • Consider identifying 1 -2 Safe Environment Coordinators (SEC) for the FOP
   • Empowering God’s Children (EGC)
     • Consider combining lessons at specific parish sites 
     • Consider combining grade levels together for lessons 
     •  Consider combining lessons online
       1. K-2^nd
       2. 3-5^th
       3. 6-8^th
       4. 9-12^th
   • SEC records EGC report for each parish site within deadline
   • Safe Environment Adult Training
     • SEC records EGC report for each parish site
     • DRE/ Principal / SEC ensure that all new volunteers:
       1. Sign up for a Virtus account 
       2. Register /complete Adult Training class
       3. Read and answer monthly bulletins 
       4. Maintain their own account
       5. Maintain Virtus compliance
3. Assess and evaluate the Faith formation modules to ensure that Faith Formation is provided for all families in the FOP
   • Hybrid
   • At Home
   • In Community
   • Online
   • Inclusive Catechesis
   • Junior high school
   • High school
4. Quantify the number of students in Faith Formation program
   • How many Faith Formation students are enrolled in each parish? (Highly recommended to evaluate the last 5 years of enrollment trends)
   • How many children are registered in each grade level?
   • Which parish(es) have space to accommodate large gatherings?
   • Consider combining grade levels depending on space and availability of classrooms, so that families can meet in community
     • Pre K- K
     • 1st-2nd 
     • 3rd-4th 
     • 5th-6th 
     • 7th-8th (Junior high)
     • 9th -12th (High school)
5. Identify the resources used in Catholic school and Faith Formation (K-8^th Gr)
   • DRE’s ensure that the Catechists are made aware of and are adhering to the new Forming Disciples standards (2022), available on the DOB website 

• • Principals ensure that Catholic school Religion teachers are made aware of and are adhering to the new Forming Disciples standards (2022), available on the DOB website
    • Link:https://www.buffalodiocese.org/what-we-do/evangelization-catechesis/lifelong-faith-formation/
    • Password: to be obtained by DRE/ Principal/ Pastor
  • Identify the shared resource that can be used in both Catholic school and FF programs
  • When determining the Faith Formation resource, consider the supported modules (on the DOB website):
    • Hybrid
    • At Home
    • In Community
    • Online
    • Junior high school
    • High school
  • When determining the resource to use in the Catholic school, consider the supported modules:
    • Classroom
    • Online
    • Small group 
  • Identify the resource that can assist catechists and Religion teachers with tracking students’ progress
    • Assessments – comprehension
    • Online homework- missed lessons
  • Identify additional resources that can be supplemented in cases where the selected resource is deficient in meeting the required standards in each of the grade levels. For Catholic schools, the needs may also include support for those teachers who are not Catholic
    • Saint books
    • Children’s Bible (Ascension Press)
      •     1-3 yr olds
      •     4-8 yr olds
      • 9-12 yr olds
    • St. Mary’s Press 
    • Glossary of Terms- manual (K-8th Gr)
    • Family Prayer books (K-8th Gr)

6. Identify ways to consolidate Administrative tasks

• • Consider sharing a collaborative document (i.e., google doc) to share forms
    • Registration forms and paperwork   
    • FOP Faith Formation records
    • FOP shared family data base (I.e., PDS)   
    • Parent Permission slips and medical forms      
    • Photo Release forms
    • Attendance forms/ records
    • Missed homework records
    • Permanent Records 
    • Sacrament record forms
    • Church of Baptism forms
    • Baptism Certificates
    • Sponsor in Good Standing certificates
    • Catholic school student sacrament records
• Assess Faith Formation FEES
  • Sacramental prep and retreat fees
  • Food
  • Supplies, including books/resources/Bibles
  • Online resources (Formed)
  • Volunteer stipends/Faith Formation staff salaries
  • Guest speaker fees

   7.  FOP Calendar – Consider meeting as a FOP in early Spring with DRE’s, principals, pastors, and ministry leads to determine which activities and liturgical events each parish will feature for the year

• • Consider how activities can be synergized into one FOP calendar
    • Mass times 
    •   Confession times
    •    School events and activities 
    •  Ministry calendars of events 
    •  Faith Formation programs and activities
    •    Parish liturgical feasts, solemnities, Advent / Lent

8.  Family Faith Formation (K-6th Gr)

• • Identify parish sites who can accommodate family program                                                                                     
  • Assess students environment/classroom space   
  • Consider if the space conducive to prayer and experiencing faith in a group setting                                                                                                  
  • Is space conducive to learning about the Faith                                                                                      
  • Consider providing meals /snacks/ baked goods during the Family sessions                                                                            
  • Identify which parish has access to working kitchen     
  • Identify which parish has access to technology (projector/screen, smart board/smart TV                                                                                              
  • Are there enough tables and chairs to accommodate this gathering                                                                                          
  • Will you have guest speakers presenting to the parents/ adults                                                                                

• • • • Consider grouping children (K-1 Gr) (2-3 Gr) (4-6th Gr)                                                                                                  
      • Assess the number of catechists for each grade level
      • Order books and/or purchase supplies

9. Junior High school  (7-8^th Gr ) Adheres to the Forming Disciples Standards
High School (9-12 Gr) Adheres to the Doctrinal Elements of a Curriculum Framework , USCCB                                                                                                                     

1. • Identify parish sites who can accommodate Junior high/ High school program
   • Assess students environment: classroom space, gym, small meeting rooms   
   • Determine if the space is conducive to prayer and experiencing faith in a group setting  
   • Consider providing meals /snacks/ baked goods during the Junior high/ High school sessions
   • Identify which parish has access to working kitchen
   • Identify which parish has access to technology (projector/screen, smart board/smart TV)
   • Are there enough tables and chairs to accommodate this gathering?
   • Will guest speakers present to the parents/ adults/ students
   • Assess the number of catechists/core members for each grade level
   • Assess opportunities for mentoring students with core members/ Catechists
   • Order books and/or purchase supplies

10. Sacrament Preparation

• • Occurs at the Parish Faith Formation program 
  • DRE obtains student rosters for sacrament prep from Catholic School Elementary/High School principals (FN/PDS)
  • Catholic Elementary/High school principals send sacrament prep letter of invitation to parents
  • Make bulletin and website announcements that Sacrament Enrollment is open
  • DRE follows up with Catholic school parents about enrolling child(ren) in the parish sacrament prep program
  • Request and gather Baptismal Certificates when students are registered at Catholic school or Faith formation program; keep track of the students’ progress throughout the enrollment and preparation periods.

11. Family Inclusive Catechesis

• • Explore what is currently offered 
  • Identify FOP who currently offer a program for adaptive catechesis                           
  • Review inclusive needs guidelines and consult with specialists in the field
  • Develop both a Family Needs Survey and an Individualized Enrichment Form 
  • Meet with individual families 
  • Assign a coordinator to assist parishioners with inclusive needs and organize a program for adaptive catechesis at needed levels

12. Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Level 1 Atrium : (3-6 yr olds) 

• • Determine if your FOP has a CGS level 1 Atrium 
  • Consider CGS LEVEL 1 Atrium for 3-6 year old children in your FOP
  • Determine if your parish has designated space available for Atrium
    • Determine if there are Catechists in your program interested in training 
    • Can commit to 90 hours of CGS Formation training                 
    • Grant $ available to Catechists/ Religion teachers who successfully complete CGS Level 1 training (Application available)
    • Consider the budget in preparing to purchase supplies for the Atrium (Cabinets, chairs, tables and works)
    • Purchase supplies

13. Youth Ministry (6th-8th Gr / 9th-12th Gr)

• • Determine Youth Ministry options within the FOP 
  • The Youth Ministry program fosters spiritual/personal growth
    • Empowers young people to live by truth and faith
    • Fosters relationship with Jesus Christ and neighbor
    • Draws young people to participate in the life of Christ
    • Cultivates fellowship among parish community
    • Invites participation in the life of the parish 
    • Promotes growth in the virtues
    • Encourages prayer, Adoration and service

  14. Young Adult Ministry (18-25/ 26-39) + Campus Ministry

• • Explore ways that FOP reaches out to Young Adults
  • Study the document by Pope Francis Christus Vivit
  • Consider these goals:
    • Deepen knowledge of Scriptures to support formation / education
    • Connect young adults to the mission of the Church
    • Connect young adults with a peer community through developing peer leadership
    • Encourage mentor groups 
    • Foster professional and spiritual development
    • Develop a multifaceted Family program for encounter and accompaniment for young adults at all stages: college, single, married, married with children 

   15. Adult Formation 

1. • Discuss Adult Faith Formation opportunities that exist in the FOP       
   • Identify/Create formation opportunities through the use of DOB Learning portal 
   • Use the website/bulletin/ social media to encourage participation
   • Identify gathering spaces most conducive to adult learning

   16. FAMILY ORIENTATION PROGRAM 

• • FOP assesses the number of baptized children in each grade level who have missed several years of catechesis, including the reception of First Reconciliation and First Communion
    • Consider using Flocknote / PDS to identify students who need catechesis
    • Identify the grade levels who need catechesis
    • Utilize a resource that can be used with varying grade levels
    • Consider pairing with active parishioners in your FOP

Building Our Family Faith Orientation

Who?

Families with children who have been Baptized and have missed several years of catechesis, including the reception of First Reconciliation and First Communion.

Why?

In the DOB, we have identified over 26,000 children who are registered at a parish, who are not attending a Catholic school nor religious education programs.

How?

• • Acquire list of the families who are registered at your parish and identify the children (K-12^th Grade)
  • Identify families (PDS/Flocknote) who have not participated in Faith Formation and who are not registered in Catholic Schools
  • Invite families to a social events or celebrations at the parish
  • Invite and integrate new families into parish life
  • Invitation to enroll in the Family Faith Orientation Program
  • Please use approved RCL resource: Our Catholic Heritage /Post baptismal catechesis  
  • Family Faith Orientation should last 1-2 years in forming the family and should include Mass attendance, service, and integration into the life of the parish
  • Students should have the opportunity to prepare for missed First Reconciliation and First Communion sacraments each year
  • After 2 years of formation children and families are invited to participate in their respective formation year. 

   17. Catechist Formation / DRE Certification

1. • Identify ways that the FOP is currently training catechists
   • Identify resources and develop a DRE training program

   18. OCIA (Formerly RCIA) – Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

• • Identify the OCIA team
  • Provide each member with a Study Edition of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (this will need to be replaced when the updated Order of Christian Initiation of Adults is published)
  • Choose publications and resources 
  • Identify individuals who will participate in the OCIA
  • Plan the OCIA schedule (perhaps with input from the catechumens)

19. Scouting

• • Does your FoP currently have any scouting programs?
  • How often do the scouts meet?
  • Determine the number of scouts in each scouting program and the ratio of scouts/ leaders
  • The Scouts have their own Safe Environment policy and do not fall under the Diocesan Virtus program