This year, in an effort to keep everyone safe and still provide some community interaction, St. Mary’s is developing a whole family catechesis model for Faith Formation. What this means is that we are going to provide materials, so families do most of the teaching/formation in the safety of your home but also come to the Parish Life Center once a month for small group peer interaction.

The curriculum will revolve around the Sunday readings. Parents will have their own materials for adult learning plus a family teaching guide (your choice of hard copy or digital) to help teach your children. A tutorial video will be available to explain the curriculum and ways to use it. Families that were enrolled in our IFFD program will be familiar with the curriculum. Wednesday, October 7 is material pick up day / answer questions / finish registering if needed. After looking over the choices below, click on the SIGN UP HERE button at the end and make your selection using the Sign-up Genius website. Please make your choice by September 21.

Community Interaction:
Families / children will be coming to the Parish Life Center once each month for small group gatherings. Small groups will consist of 10 people or less. VOLUNTEER CATECHISTS (and hallway helpers) will be needed to lead each small group.
Each person will attend six sessions total throughout the year (except one Wednesday group will have five). Only children attend on Wednesdays. Parents attend with their children and have their own small group in the Weekend Model. We may need to limit the amount of enrollment on Wednesdays or Weekends based on catechist availability. The structure is as follows:

WEDNESDAY MODEL* - small groups for youth, all sessions will be 6:30 – 7:30 PM
  • First Wednesday of the month: seventh and eighth graders – November 4, December 2, January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7
  • Second Wednesday of the month: second and third graders – October 14, November 11, December 9, January 13, February 10, April 14
  • Third Wednesday of the month: fourth, fifth and sixth graders – October 21, November 18, December 16, January 20, March 17, April 21
  • Fourth Wednesday of the month: Kindergarten and first graders – October 28, January 27, February 24, March 24, April 28
*For this year there will be no in-house preschool on Wednesdays

WEEKEND MODEL – families with all ages can attend at the same time – preschool included
Saturday, 8:30 - 9:30 AM – October 24, November 21, December 19, January 23, February 27, March 27
Sunday, 10:15 - 11:15 AM – October 25, November 22, December 20, January 24, February 28, March 28

HOME PROGRAM: Families are also able to choose to do their learning completely at home with no in-person gatherings. You will need to stop in at the parish office on four occasions throughout the year, to pick up materials.

Please make your choice by September 21.
Families who are new to the St. Mary’s program will need to fill out a New Families Registration form and should also be registered parishioners.

Karlene Feidt
Director of Faith Formation
St. Mary of the Lake Church, White Bear Lake