The faith formation program we are using is called Gospel Weeklies. This program differs from other programs in a number of significant ways that make it an effective way to teach your children.
This is a method of instruction that integrates faith formation lessons with the life of the parish community experienced in the Sunday Eucharist. The content of the program flows from the Sunday Gospel and children learn their faith within the rhythms of the liturgical year - Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time.
The Sunday Liturgy is the heart of the parish community. The weekly celebration is more meaningful to young people because they are familiar with the Gospel proclaimed each week. They have studied it in class and wrestled with its meaning. With this program all students and their families hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They learn the Gospel. The love the Gospel. They live the Gospel in their daily lives. They share the Gospel both in the community of faith and, by their witness and loving service of others, with every person they meet.
Your whole family can easily share in the learning because all children are studying lessons based on the same Gospel proclaimed in church on Sunday. You can gather all you children at one time to share what they have learned and to talk about it as a family.
Because the Gospel Weeklies do not use a textbook, they are very appealing to young people and easy to use in class and at home. Each child receives a "catechism handbook" called What the Church Believes and Teaches. This handbook contains all the doctrinal elements that are considered essential at each grade level. Each week you child will receive a new lesson dated for each Sunday of the liturgical year. These lessons are the heart of the program and will be used in class and then brought home for you to see and talk about with your children.
The Weeklies follow the three cycles of Gospel reading in editions used to cover all the grade levels: Promise (K and grade 1), Good News for Children (grades 2 &3), Venture (grades 4,5&6), and Visions (grades 7&8) - students in grade 9&10 will be enrolled in the confirmation program.