High School Faith Formation
The Faith Lived
The growing trend among Catholic Parishes today is that our young parishioners are leaving the pews, the ministries, and in some cases, leaving the Catholic Church completely. How might we show our young people that their faith is worth their time? High School Faith Formation seeks to not only answer this question but attempts to find a solution to this increasingly large problem. High School Faith Formation should be seen as a transition from school age religious education to adult faith practice.
What does it look like?
Based on the Family Formation model of catechesis and formation, once a month, high school teens will come for an in-person session of catechesis and formation. At times this will not look like the traditional “classroom model”. Our youth will learn the faith but they will learn to live it out in action through retreats, pilgrimages, and mission work. The program will also include once a month teen-hosted Masses, where our high schoolers will serve in the various liturgical minister roles such as Lectors and Altar-Servers.
Need Baptism, Eucharist or Confirmation?
Many families have high school aged children that did not follow the "traditional" path to recieving the sacraments. There are a variety of reasons for this, we are here to help! Through HSF, teens will have the opportunity to grow in their knowledge of the Faith and recieve the sacraments!
Need Community Service Hours?
The backbone of HSF is centered on the Beatitudes, Catholic Social Teaching, and the Corporal Works of Mercy. Through Learning, Service and Fellowship we teach the Dignity of the Human Person that Christ shared with us. Every student recieves 1 HR of community service at every meeting!
Can I join if I'm already Confirmed?
Yes! Absolutely. Many students attend public high schools and thus are not given formation and catechesis during their high school years. This program is designed to bridge that gap and provide public school students the same religious education opportunities that their private school classmates may enjoy. HSF also provides a forum for youth to gather together in faith to create the church they will one day lead!
Curriculum 2024-2025
Students come together to learn about their faith and put that same faith into practice through service. Service Projects will play an important role in the sessions with an emphasis on serving those in our community, town and country.
| Month | Content |
|---|---|
| September | Foundations of the Faith |
| October | The Beatitudes |
| November | The Dignity of the Human Person |
| December | Made in the Image of God |
| January | Responsibility |
| February | Freedom |
| March | Morality |
| April | Conscience |
| May | The Virtuous Life |
| June | Mission Trip |
Frequently Asked Questions
Tuition?
$200 per student, per year
- We don't believe in "nickel and diming" people. We ask for funds only one time. Your tuition includes the following: All Classes, Pilgrimage, Retreat, Mission Trip.
Meeting Times?
3rd Wednesday (7:00-8:30 PM) of every month
Where do you meet?
Your faith ought to be something you can incorporate into your already amazing life. We strive to model this by meeting in a variety of places, bowling alleys, sportsplex, youth centers, and local charities to name a few.
*Our main location is the St. Julie Youth Center. Refer to calendar for location changes.
What is the goal of this program?
A more robust and vibrant parish community. We live in a day and age where our young people are bombarded with messaging from various sources and not all of those sources fit with our Catholic Morals and Teaching. High School Faith Formation offers parents and families the opportunity to support the Catholic Faith in the home during those critical years. High School Faith Formation is aimed at accompanying our youth and providing them the opportunity to live the faith in practice! Our young people are the future of our faith and it is time that we place their importance at the forefront.
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6pm O’Connell Family Meeting
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Staff Contact
Nathan Roy
Director of Lifelong Formation
708.840.3612
nathan@st.julie.org
