FAITH FORMATION

Faith Formation is a life-long journey of growth leading into an ever-deepening relationship with Christ.  This deepening of faith takes place in a variety of ways  and contexts within the life of the church and leads us toward taking out place in the ongoing mission of the church.

Adult Faith Formation
RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

Catholic life is an expression of the mission entrusted by Jesus to theChurch He founded.

“Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples; baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.”        
(Matthew 28: 19-20)

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is the process by which adults and children of catechetical age become members of the Roman Catholic Church. The process is concerned with the total formation of the person as believing, living, praying, and serving with the Church community. This journey culminates in the celebration of the Initiation Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist at Easter time.

The Rite is designed primarily for those seeking baptism.  However, because of the nature of conversion as an ongoing reality, the RCIA can be adapted for those baptized in other Christian denominations now seeking membership in the Roman Catholic Church and those uncatechized Catholic adults wishing to complete their Sacraments of Initiation. As such, the RCIA is a flexible process which respects the faith development of each individual while maintaining the ideals and vision of the Catholic community.

What makes this so exciting is that candidates inthe RCIAprocess journey with members of our parish who wish to deepen their own personal relationship with the Lord and the faith community.  This process allows those seeking the sacraments and those members of the community to share their experiences, journeys and personal growth with Christ and/or their call to faith and how they cameto the Lord.

Adults seeking the Sacraments of Initiation and folks who would like to journey with our candidates can call Mary Cobb in the Adult Faith Formation Office at 714/529-0109.

We serve the children of our faith community from, mid-September to late May.

Our classes are offered :
Sunday mornings for age 3-5.
Monday and Tuesday afternoon for grades 1-6
Sunday afternoon twice monthly for 7th and 8th grades.

Enrollment each year is approximately 400 students. Some continue in the program from first through eight grade, growing in their faith and love of Jesus. Our volunteer teachers are an integral part of our ministry. They take time from their busy schedules to share of themselves, following in the footsteps of the apostles to pass on the teachings and love of Jesus Christ.

In addition our program coordinates Sacramental Preparation for students in St. Angela Merici School and Children’s Faith Formation Children in second grade or older receive Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time. Yearly more than 100 students share in this joyous celebration.

For more information about the First Eucharist (click here).

Children's Faith Formation Once Upon A Starry Night slideshow.
Visit Photo Gallery Page for more slideshows.

Liturgy of the Word With Children

Each Sunday of the year we celebrate, Liturgy of the Word With Children at the 9:30 and 12:30 Masses. Children arrive to church and are seated with their patents until the gathering rite is over. At that time the children are called forward and process out of church to a separate worship space for the Liturgy of the Word.This celebration is an extension of the main assembly’s celebration. The children will return to church after the Prayer of the Faithful.

Our program for children was developed based on the book A Child Shall Lead Them, Treehaus publishing. Our leaders have been trained in sharing the Sunday readings with children who are in elementary grades (K-6). Many of our leaders have been serving this community since the programs’ inception in February of 1999. They are truly dedicated to the spirituality of the children. As the leaders reflect on the Word, the children are asked to participate by sharing their own ideas about Jesus message to all of us.

Parents are invited to accompany their children, especially when they attend for the first time; however , children who attend regularly should be able to participate without parental involvement. The program is designed to enable parents to be fed and inspired by the Priest’s homily while their children share the same reflections on a more appropriate level.

We encourage all children who are in the elementary grades to attend Children's Liturgy. The program is developed with their sprituality in mind. There is no registration or enrollment and all are welcome.We are always looking for volunteers interested in serving in this ministry. Join us for Children's Liturgy any Sunday to see the various volunteer positions that are available. Training is available. See you on Sunday!

For more information, please contact Sue de Grasse at 714.529.1821 ext. 26

Fall and Winter 2009-2010 Schedule