For 6th-10th grade and Confirmation Preparation and Registration, see the Youth Faith Formation pages. The deadline for Late YFF Registration is Nov 1. No one will be accepted for this year's programming after that date (except HS Youth Group). 

CFF Registration for 2023-24 is anticipated to open in mid-May 2023

We are always seeking volunteer catechists, catechist assistants, substitute catechists and hall monitor/drop off/pick up Safety/Traffic Guards. If interested please contact the Faith Formation Director at 269-978-2347.

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION is a two-year program that begins in the 1st grade. 

As the Catholic Church has taught from its founding by Jesus Christ on earth that Holy Communion (the Holy Eucharist) is the very body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ himself given by him to us as his Supreme Gift to be in the most intimate union with him, the Church has always taken preparation for the reception of Jesus in Holy Communion with the utmost gravity and seriousness. 

Because the Diocese of Kalamazoo recognizes that Holy Communion is the most intimate expression of love that Christ gives us, the diocese requires a two-year program of preparation for children receiving the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Parents should enroll their children to begin preparation for the reception of First Holy Communion when they enter the first grade.

Students who complete the two-year preparation requirements will receive First Reconciliation (also known formally as the Sacrament of Penance or informally as "confession") in the Spring of the second year of the program before their reception of First Holy Communion. See the below 2022-23  Calendar for the date schedule of all children's faith formation sessions.  

What if my child did not receive their first reconciliation (i.e. the sacrament of penance/confession) and First Holy Communion in 2nd Grade? 
Children who are "off-cycle", that is, are beyond the usual age for receiving first reconciliation and First Holy Communion should enter the Rite (or Order) of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIA/OCIC). They should also register for and attend CFF in their respective grade level. To inquire about the RCIC, contact me, Deacon Brian Kaluzny or Deacon Ron Brown at cff@stcatherinesiena.org. Type RCIC in the subject line.   


First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion Important Dates & Information for 2023 See the Children's Faith Formation Calender at the below link.

INFORMATION ON OUR CHILDREN'S FAITH FORMATION TEXTS

Allelu! is used for our Pre-K & K faith formation program. It is published by Our Sunday Visitor and
purchased courtesy of our local Knights of Columbus Council #6980.

• Built upon the same 7 catechetical themes as the older child curriculum, Alive in Christ, and includes Revelation, Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Church, Sacraments, Morality, and the Kingdom of God.
• Allelu! is the only Catholic early childhood curriculum that incorporates the latest research in child development and specifically includes child-initiated activities in every lesson.
• Provides a seamless transition to our older child (grades 1-5) textbook, Alive in Christ 

The Alive in Christ series is used for CFF programming in grades 1-6. It is also published by Our Sunday Visitor and purchased courtesy of our local Knights of Columbus Council #6980.

• Alive in Christ is a comprehensive religious curriculum that leads students and their families to understand and live a Catholic life of discipleship. We will use the Parish edition, which invites children into a personal relationship with Christ while helping them to discover the beauty of their Catholic Faith.