Faith Formation for Children and Adults
Baptism Preparation Team
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | Prepare Parents for their child’s baptism, underscoring
the ongoing responsibility they have: to share their faith with the
child, to instruct the child in the faith and to live lives that
reinforce Christian faith and morality. To work at resolving any issues that may present themselves in meeting with the parents. To underscore the communal nature of the sacrament and to welcome the family into the active life of the church. To familiarize the parents and godparents with the rite and symbols used during baptism. |
| Activites: | N.A. |
| Training/Requirements: | Annual CORI Check Virtus Training One and a half hour training session |
| Need: | Four parishioners who will commit to being present at baptism three times a year to welcome the families and to participate in the celebration. |
| How to Participate: | Speak with Father Petringa or Sister Kathleen |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | Conduct Baptismal Catechesis session the Wednesday before baptism three times a year and attend the baptism on Sunday. |
| Contact Person: | Sister Kathleen Moran (617-489-5857) or kmorancsjstluke2@verizon.net |
Baptism Host Couples
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | To be a welcoming presence on the evening of the catechesis and day of baptism To greet the parents and family members, assist them to their place in church and offer any assistance needed To be a welcoming presence on the evening of the catechesis and day of baptism To greet the parents and family members, assist them to their place in church and offer any assistance needed To participate in the baptism as a member of the welcoming faith communi |
| Activites: | N.A. |
| Training/Requirements: | Annual CORI Check Virtus Training One and a half hour training session |
| Need: | Eight to twelve parishioners who will commit to being present at the catechetical session and baptism three times a year to welcome the families and to participate in the celebration. |
| How to Participate: | Speak with Father Petringa or Sister Kathleen. |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | Be present at the baptismal Catechesis session the Wednesday before baptism three times a year and attend the baptism on Sunday. |
| Contact Person: | Sister Kathleen Moran (617-489-5857) or kmorancsjstluke2@verizon.net |
Generations of Faith - Intergenerational
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | Generations of Faith is the umbrella under which all religious education, sacramental preparation and faith formation are shaped. Based on the conviction that life-long learning is in our best interest and that shared faith is a strengthened faith, we encourage communal learning contexts for all ages. This program is multi-generational and is aimed at providing faith formation in age appropriate catechetical sessions, giving support to parents in their role as their children’s most important teacher, building community and enhancing the parish’s participation in the liturgical life of the church. |
| Activites: | Vary according to the content of the GOF session |
| Training/Requirements: | Annual CORI checks Virtus Training Those responsible for facilitating teaching roles will receive instruction in content and methods. |
| Need: | Many volunteers are needed to carry out a variety of tasks from clerical assistance, to welcoming participants, setting up the gathering space, cleaning up, emcee responsibilities, planning sessions, serving as catechists and aides |
| How to Participate: | Speak with Director of Faith Formation |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | Varies according to the role you are willing to assume |
| Contact Person: | Robert P. Flaherty, Director of Faith Formation (617-484-9357) or faithformation@stlukesbelmont.org |
Sacramental Preparation for Children: First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | Children preparing for Reconciliation and Eucharist are required to participate fully in the Generations of Faith Program (meeting 6 times a year) as well as take part in weekly classroom instruction during grades one and two. Adolescents preparing for Confirmation are required to participate fully in the Generations of Faith Program as well as take part in weekly classroom instruction during grades nine and ten. In the months in which Generations of Faith sessions take place, there will be no classroom sessions the week after GOF. |
| Activites: | Varied. |
| Training/Requirements: | Proof of Baptism is required. |
| Need: | In order to receive these sacraments, students must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of their faith and active participation in the practice of their faith. |
| How to Participate: | Register for Generations of Faith and for weekly classes in the Faith Formation Office with the Director of Religious Education |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | Weekly Religious Education classes and six GOF Sessions |
| Contact Person: | Robert P. Flaherty, Director of Faith Formation (617-484-9357) or faithformation@stlukesbelmont.org |
Volunteer Catechists, Aides and Monitors
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | Catechists are needed for the classroom sessions that take place weekly. They are responsible for teaching the children elements of the faith appropriate to the age of the child. Aides assist in the classroom. Monitors supervise the children when they leave the classroom for any reason. Supervisors of confirmation projects accompany students on their project. |
| Activites: | Attendance at children’s retreats, practice for sacramental reception and the celebration of the sacraments |
| Training/Requirements: | Annual CORI Check Virtus Catechetical Teacher planning/training meeting with DRE |
| Need: | Six catechists and two aides Three monitors Two supervisors |
| How to Participate: | Speak with the Director of Religious Education |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | One hour a week from September to May |
| Contact Person: | Robert P. Flaherty, Director of Faith Formation (617-484-9357) or stluke.faithformation@verizon.net |
Youth Ministry Team
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | This is a desired ministry within our parish. Its purpose would be to provide the youth of our parish with social, educational and service related projects. Each experience ought to have some opportunity to reinforce the importance of our deepening faith and the development of community life |
| Activites: | To be determined |
| Training/Requirements: | Those adults connected with Youth ministry must undergo an annual CORI check and Virtus Training, take a fair share of turns chaperoning events and be willing to work with youth and other adults in planning the program. |
| Need: | Ten core team members, committed to work for at least two years are needed |
| How to Participate: | Speak with Bob Flaherty, Director of Faith Formation |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | Six hours a month divided between planning and executing events. |
| Contact Person: | Bob Flaherty (617-484-9357) faithformation@stlukesbelmont.org |
Adult Confirmation
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | The Adult Confirmation Program has as its purpose the preparation of baptized, Catholic adults who have received their first communion for the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation. The sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in the spring of each year by the regional bishop. The course consists of six 1 1/2 hour sessions, and it is offered year to year in one or another collaborative parish. The formal teaching responsibilities currently belong to a member of the staff; other parishioners assist in the course through their witnessing to their own faith life. |
| Activites: | N.A. |
| Training/Requirements: | Annual CORI check Three hour Virtus program One meeting with Sister Kathleen to be oriented to the process and responsibilities of participation in this team. |
| Need: | two volunteers |
| How to Participate: | Speak with Father Petringa or Sister Kathleen |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | Attend 6 sessions |
| Contact Person: | Sister Kathleen Moran (617-489-5857) or kmorancsjstluke2@verizon.net |
Marriage Preparation
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | The purpose of this process is to provide the couple that is to marry with an understanding of the Church’s teaching on Christian Sacramental Marriage, to explore with the couple their readiness and freedom to marry, look at key areas of married life and human relationships to surface facets of the relationship that may need further conversation before making a lifelong commitment. As a final element to the preparation, the couple plans the marriage rite with the priest or pastoral minister, choosing readings, music, prayers and forms of consent. |
| Activites: | During the marriage preparation, the couple takes an inventory (FOCCUS Instrument) intended to surface areas requiring exploration and goes on an engaged encounter/pre-cana weekend. |
| Training/Requirements: | The couple should contact the rectory a year in advance of their desired marriage date and before booking a reception site. Sacramental records must be provided. One member of the couple must reside in or be registered in the parish. |
| Need: | N.A. |
| How to Participate: | N.A. |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | Anywhere from six to eight meetings will be needed in addition to the weekend pre-cana weekend. |
| Contact Person: | Father Gerard Petringa (617-484-1996) stlukebelmont@verizon.net or Sister Kathleen Moran (617-489-5857) kmorancsjstluke2@verizon.net |
Ongoing Faith Formation
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | This group has as its objective identifying appropriate ongoing faith formation opportunities that will complement the Generations of Faith programs for adult members of the parish. They could either review existing programs within the archdiocese for parish involvement or design programs that would meet the needs of the parish. (“Design” does not imply being the provider/teacher/mentor.) |
| Activites: | Dependent on the program in question |
| Training/Requirements: | This group ought to have the ability to test the pulse of the parish for its interest in what is being proposed. |
| Need: | Five or more members |
| How to Participate: | Speak with Bob Flaherty, Director of Faith Formation, 617-484-9357 or email him at faithformation@stlukesbelmont.org |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | Meetings to be determined. |
| Contact Person: | Bob Flaherty (617-484-9357) faithformation@stlukesbelmont.org |
RCIA
| Purpose/Responsibilities: | Individuals on the RCIA Team give witness to their faith to those who are seeking to become Catholics. They join in prayer with candidates and catechumens, reflect on the meaning of scripture with them and give expression to the teachings of the Church to the degree they feel comfortable. There is an opportunity to share in the formal teaching component as well. Other persons can be of assistance by assuming the role of Sponsor for our catechumen or candidates. |
| Activites: | N.A. |
| Training/Requirements: | Openness to the movement of God in one’s life and a willingness to articulate that experience is vitally important. Attendance at an RCIA workshop sponsored by the archdiocese is highly recommended. |
| Need: | Three or four individuals |
| How to Participate: | Speak with Sister Kathleen. |
| Meeting/Serving Commitments: | RCIA is a collaborative program. It rotates weekly among the collaborative parishes, and it meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 to 8:30. |
| Contact Person: | .Sister Kathleen Moran (617-489-5857) or kmorancsjstluke2@verizon.net |
