The Director of Faith Formation, JoAnne Dalhoff (232-3514), is responsible for catechesis for children in preschool through eighth grade.  Prayer and music are integral parts of these programs.  The catechists are trained volunteers.

To carry out the four-fold mission of the Church (word, worship, community, and service), the catechetical programs strive to meet the following objectives:

• To develop in the students a sense of wonder and awe for God’s creation, a familiarity with prayer and worship, and a spirit of ever deepening friendship with Jesus.
• To provide students with essential knowledge of the content of their faith so that they may understand what it means to be Catholic.
• To enable the students to deepen their experience, to better understand, and to participate more fully in the Sacraments of the Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation.
• To assist students in the formation of conscience and to establish Christian values that will foster Christian living.
• To foster a love for the Word of God and further the use of Scripture for prayer and direction in living.
• To introduce to students the concept of community and the Christian dimension of spreading the love of Jesus.
• To enable students to experience Christian service and involvement through projects directed toward participation in the parish/world community.

Parents are the primary educators of their children.  The home is the center of Christian living.  Parents are welcome to join the Religious Education Team in prayer, planning, evaluating, and providing catechesis.  Recognizing that efforts will be successful only when parents and catechists are intimately involved in sharing their faith, parents are expected to participate actively in the weekly catechesis of their children. They are also required to attend parent meetings directly related to their children’s sacramental preparation.

Alternative Religious Education Program
For parents that desire a more direct involvement in the religious formation of their children, a parent-taught program is available as an alternative to weekly religion classes. This program uses approved catechetical materials and requires submission of annual progress reports for each child enrolled. Attendance at Generations of Faith gatherings is a part of this program.