Faith Formation is most productive when it complements the faith lived out each and every day by families. Faith Formation is offered by our parish to assist parents in teaching the Catholic faith to the young. Classes for both parishes are held at St. Anthony’s in Mattapoisett.
Parents are the first educators in the faith lives of their children. Families form the domestic church and prepare children to live as Catholic men and women. Children learn how the faith is practiced and lived out by parents first. Faith Formation helps parents by teaching the doctrines and dogmas of our faith and prepares children for the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation.
See our policies on Home Schooling, Inclement Weather and Classroom Behavior & Attendance.
Grades 1 - 8
We are using A Family of Faith to help develop strong Catholic families in which children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of our Faith through the witness of Christian life given by their parents. The adults meet once a month to discuss the topics and lessons and then teach the lessons to their children at a time that suits their family’s schedule.
Second graders prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation in the fall/winter and First Communion in the spring. Click here for a video on Reconciliation, and click here for a video on First Communion.
Click the links below for instructions and prayers for Reconciliation and First Communion, and Basic Prayers.
Confirmation 1 & 2
Fall/Winter: Confirmation I
(9th grade)
This will be completely remote until December. The text book “CHOSEN” published by Ascension is used for the Confirmation program. I will be sending a separate sign-up sheet for in-person sessions. As with Confirmation I, we will reevaluate in December.
Confirmation II (10th grade)
We will revaluate as well: We will be using a hybrid model for this age group. In-person meetings will be once a month, in small groups, with remote learning for the other sessions. Father Chris’ talks on Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4 and Chapter 6 of “CHOSEN” are provided right here. Other speakers from the parish ministry are invited, too.
Community Service
As part of preparation for Confirmation and to demonstrate the importance of service to others, students are required to participate in a Christian Service project. 9th Graders are required to have 10 hours of service and 10th graders, 15 hours.
One of the greatest ways to cultivate a talent is to use it to serve others. Identify your strengths, and then develop a way to use them in service to others. If you have musical ability, consider joining the church choir. If you have the gift of patience, consider teaching the young children in our parish in the Faith Formation program. If you enjoy being outdoors, volunteer to “adopt” a road or park in your area and pick up litter and clear away brush. If your talent is leadership and organization, perhaps you could organize an event to benefit a charity.
It is important that your choice be something specific and practical; that it meets a real need in your parish, neighborhood, community or world at large and that it is something that is not normally part of your everyday responsibilities. This must be a new service project. You cannot use past experiences. You can work alone, with your sponsor or in a group.
SERVICE PROJECT REPORT: DUE WITH SERVICE RECORD SUBMISSION
On a separate piece of paper, write a short essay in which you answer the following questions:
1. What type of community service (home, church, school, neighborhood/community, social justice) did you choose? Why?
2. Describe what you did for your community service
3. What did you learn from your community service?
4. Recount one funny thing that happened when you did your community service.
5. Name one event that touched your heart when you performed your service.
6.How did performing community service make you feel?
7. Did performing community service change you spiritually? Why or Why not?
St. Anthony’s, Mattapoisett MA
St. Rita’s, Marion MA
