Faith Formation and COVID???
How will our program look in light of the Coronavirus outbreak?


Just as our schools are planning in-person instruction for the fall with an additional plan for remote instruction, so we too are recruiting catechists, readying classrooms, and planning to welcome kids and families back this fall. A few known changes will be to our class sizes, curriculum, the need to social distance in the classroom, and disinfect at the end of each class. 

I am excited to share a shift in curriculum and teaching that allows grades K-7 to be learning the same topic at a depth appropriate to their grade level. Previous models had each grade learning a different theme, for example 4th grade covered the 10 Commandments and 5th grade learned the Sacraments. This year, K-7 will all learn about the first pillar of the catechism of the Caholic Church - the Creed. This will make those at-home conversations about what the kids are learning much easier! Rather than each child telling you about something different, all children can contribute to the same discussion. 

Classes for the year will meet the first 3 weeks of each month, instead of every week. During week 4 it is encouraged that there be at-home organic conversation and activity with the whole family. It is critical that children experience their home as the principal place where faith is shared and practiced. There is a parent guide and children's activity book to help initiate some of those activities. This schedule of three weeks on, one week off, will allow for more flexibility for families and for catechists. 

In addition to the children learning about the same topic, we are incorporating a parent night once a month, with two date options to choose from, for parents to gain insight to their child's faith education.

I often hear parents express the challenge faced when discussing faith with kids because the children may be learning more than parents remember from their own Faith Formation! This one night a month where parents are asked to come together, parents will hear about everything the kids will be learning for that month, and be given a parent guide and other resources to help have those faith conversations without the anxiety of your child asking a question you don't know the answer to.


All of this is also going to be key if there is a second wave of COVID this fall. Rather than having each child learning something different, and parents struggling to stay afloat, we will all be discussing one topic together and the Family Ministry Team will be able to lead parents in faith discussions at home. This is also ideal for families who will not feel comfortable returning to in-person instruction at school and with their faith education. 

We are continually adjusting to meet the recommendations from the Diocese of Green Bay, follow CDC guidelines, keeping open communication with our local public and private schools, and collaborating with our neighboring Catholic churches. As we move into the fall, communications will be emailed to enrolled families, posted on our Facebook page, and included on our website. 

We look forward to welcoming you back and growing in faith together! 
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph - Pray for us!

Parents - Help us know how you are feeling about COVID and Faith Formation this fall. Please complete the brief survey on our website or on Facebook. Your time will greatly help our program to plan for the new year, and serve you and your family in the best way possible. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZVM6LCK