861 Wildwood Lane, Grapevine, Texas  76051 - (817) 481-2685 - Fax (817) 488-3169 

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St. Francis offers multiple Formation Sessions for
ALL ages from Pre-K through 12^th grade.
Registration for Summer Session 2011 and
Pre-Registration for Fall Sessions 2011-12
have begun!
Fall Faith Formation Schedule
Sessions Offered:
School Year Session – September through April
3-yr old – 1st Grade
Sundays 9:00am—10:00a.m., 11:30a.m. – 12:30p.m.
Wednesdays 4:30p.m.—5:30p.m.
2nd – 5th Grade
Sundays 10:15a.m.—11:15a.m.
Wednesdays 4:30p.m.—5:30p.m., 7:00p.m. – 8:00p.m.
6th – 10th Grades
Sundays 10:15a.m.—11:45a.m.
Wednesdays 7:00p.m.—8:30p.m.
All students are registered on a first-come, first served basis
with volunteer’s children being placed in classes first.

Summer Session – July 11-22^nd, 2011 – 9:30am – 12:30pm
1^st grade – **10^th grade
Pre-K & Kinder are for volunteer’s children only.
(**10^th grade students preparing for Confirmation will also be
expected to attend Confirmation Preparation Classes
each month throughout the school year.)
(If these times do not accommodate your family there is always the option to Home School your students.  Parents are the primary educators of their children and the Formation Staff of St. Francis is here to support parents in this vocation.)

Registration Information
Registration packets are being distributed in the Parish Offices.  Forms are also available here at the sidebar menu to the right. 

Forms needed for Youth Formation Registration

1.     Family Registration Form – 1 per family

2.     Code of Conduct – 1 per family

3.     Student Registration Form – 1 per student

4.     Baptismal Certificate – for students preparing for Eucharist & Confirmation

5.     Birth Certificate – for students preparing for Baptism

6.     Promotional Release Form** – 1 per student

7.     Medical Release Form** – 1 per student

a.       6^th grade and above ONLY

8.     Payment – Material fees are $50/child with $150 max/family for Parishioners who have been registered for at least 3 months.  Material fees are $70/child for non-registered parishioners.  Families may make payments as needed.  Please see the Youth Formation office for assistance.  (Fees for children of full-time catechists are waived.)

**At this time the Promotional Release form and the Medical Release Form are not available.  We will accept Registration Packets without these forms at this time.

Catechesis for Children – Pre-K thru 8^th Grades
Faith Formation teaches our children about their Catholic faith using Harcourt’s Called to Faith curriculum.  Students are taught by teams of dedicated catechists and assistants and participate in faith building, age-appropriate activities and lessons, taking home each week’s lesson to share with their parents. Students periodically participate in outreach efforts to broaden their view beyond their classrooms and families.

9^th – 10^th Grades
The High School Students (9^th and 10^th grades) like the elementary curriculum are taught by teams of catechists and participate in faith building, age-appropriate activities and lessons. 

In addition to the Harcourt curriculum used in the classroom, parents and students have access to the Harcourt/St. Francis website where parents can obtain additional information on the subjects taught and students have activities, games and lessons to reinforce what they are learning in the classrooms or at home.

Sacrament Preparation
Eucharist and Reconciliation
Preparation for Eucharist and Reconciliation is begun in the 2nd grade.  In addition to Faith Formation classes, attendance at a Sacramental Preparation Workshop is required of the parent prior to the child receiving the sacraments.  If your student is older than 2nd grade then arrangements can be made for them to prepare for the sacraments they have missed.  Please contact the Formation Office for more information. 
Requirements for reception of Eucharist and Reconciliation:
Have received the sacrament of Baptism
Enrollment in the Faith Formation program
Participation in the Sacramental Preparation Classes
Parent attendance at the Sacramental Preparation Workshop
Attendance at Mass weekly
Memorize the following prayers: Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, Act of Contrition, the Creed.
Be familiar with the 10 Commandments and how to pray the Rosary.

Confirmation
Students may begin preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation at the age of 15 (in the 10^th grade). 
Confirmation Preparation and Requirements include:
Have received the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist and Reconciliation
Enrollment in the Faith Formation program
Participation in Confirmation Preparation Classes to be held once a month outside of Formation classes
Attendance at the “Spirit” Confirmation Retreat (or a Confirmation Retreat hosted by another parish and the Day of Reflection Retreat.
40 hours of Community Service
Attendance at Mass weekly

RCIA adapted for Children and Teens
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children is for children, ages 8 to 18 who have not been baptized or who were baptized in another Christian Tradition.  We follow similar guidelines and rites as in the RCIA (Adults) adapted to the level of the children or teens in formation.  Those prepared through the RCIA-Children or Teens enter into full membership of the Catholic Church during the Easter Season.

Other Catechetical Opportunities
Pass-It-On - 11th & 12th Grades may also join Pass-It-On, a peer-to-peer ministry group that meets year round, except for the month of August.  The group’s focus is on helping each other live Christian lives.  This group meets on Wednesday evening from 7:00 – 8:30p.m. in the Youth Center

Children’s Liturgy of the Word
For Children in Kindergarten through 2nd Grade (who have not yet received Holy Communion), the Children’s Lector proclaims the same Sunday readings as for the adults, but in words children can understand using the Children’s Lectionary.  This is not a catechism class; rather the lectors break open the scriptures in ways that make the stories come alive.  The children are invited to enter into the stories, developing a greater appreciation for the meaning of the Gospel in their lives.

The children are dismissed for Children’s Liturgy of the Word after the opening prayer.  The Prayer, First Reading, and Gospel are proclaimed. After the Gospel, the children sit and share with the Lector what they have heard. They offer prayers, recite the Creed and offer their monetary donations.  The children join their families and the congregation for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  This does not qualify as Faith Formation for Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and Eucharist.

Volunteer Information
Volunteer Opportunities include Session Coordinator, Catechist, Assistant Catechist, Office Help, Crafts, Nursery worker & Children’s Liturgy Lector.  All volunteers will be assigned to the session that their children are attending, unless otherwise noted.  Volunteers can sign up on the Family Page of the Formation Registration Forms or contact the Formation Office.  Children of full-time catechists may have their fees waived.  

To volunteer for Faith Formation or for Children’s Liturgy of the Word contact
Yvette Crumly in the Youth Formation Office at 817-481-2685 x236.

Volunteer Requirements - All volunteers are required to complete an application with references and an interview.  All volunteers are also required to attend a Keeping Children and Youth Safe session and a background check before beginning volunteer work.  This certification is renewed every 3 years.

Job Descriptions
Session Coordinator:  Will volunteer during the time their child(ren) is in class by overseeing the other volunteers, assisting with whatever is needed, talking to parents who have questions and assisting the Formation Office to disseminate information and oversee dismissal.

Catechist/Assistant Catechist: Prepare the lessons for each class and teach the students about the subject that is age appropriate.  There is some advance preparation required each week and training will be provided.  Required to have at least two adults in every classroom and the preference is for three, so that teaching responsibilities can be shared.

 Office Help:  Be in the office during the Formation session to assist catechists and staff with various projects, copies, shredding, tracking attendance, etc.

Crafts:  Assist teacher in gathering supplies for crafts in the classrooms, finding ideas for teachers needing help, possibly leading a craft project in a classroom.

Nursery:  During the Summer Sessions and the Wednesday sessions, volunteers are needed to assist the Nursery Coordinator with caring for the children of volunteers that are not old enough to attend classes.  Usual age for these children is infants to 3-year olds.

Children’s Liturgy Lector:  Is trained and scheduled similar to the Lectors for mass.  Lectors can volunteer for the mass that they usually attend.  Children ages Kindergarten through 2nd grade will be dismissed to the Chapel and the Lector will lead them in readings and an interactive reflection.  Training is provided and there are always at least two adults present.  Teenagers are also encouraged to help with this ministry.  Great opportunity for families to minister together!

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