Early Childhood Programs

During one Mass per weekend at two of our three campus (school year only), young children are invited to an age-appropriate Liturgy of the Word. They will hear the same Scriptures that are proclaimed at Mass, which will be explained at an age-appropriate level by a trained Catechist. Children's Liturgy of the Word takes place during the:

• 10:00 AM Mass at St. Gregory
• 10:00 AM Mass at St. Ferdinand

Research continues to show that faith is best passed on from parent to child. This program will facilitate this with family-style learning at home supported by monthly in-person family gatherings for students entering grades PreK-5.
At-Home - At home throughout the week, families will read Scripture and catechism questions and pray together.
Family Program Gatherings - Monthly gatherings (9:15-10:45 AM at St. Ferdinand) will focus on living the faith in the home. Activities include:

• Families begin together with light refreshments, Catholic trivia, and family activities.
• Then students go to classrooms with catechists while parents hear a parent presentation and are given time to discuss the content with other parents.
• Families come back together for a final activity and prayer.

Research continues to show that faith is best passed on from parent to child. This program for preschool-aged children and older will facilitate this with family-style learning in the comfort of your own home and on your own schedule. Families will be supported by a weekly email from the parish detailing the material to be covered that week and including brief teaching videos explaining the weekly materials and supplemental materials (additional videos, worksheets, and printables).
This program will involve five steps each week, which will be spelled out in each weekly email:

1. Begin with prayer – Reciting basic prayers is the easiest way to memorize them.
2. Explore the Sunday Gospel – Follow a simple format to reflect and share what God says to you.
3. Read and discuss a handful of catechism questions and/or and additional Bible story – Age-appropriate resources keep the whole family focused on the same topic and able to share what they learn.
4. Complete the Learning Check In in your email – A simple Google form that shows your family has completed the week’s material.
5. Conclude with prayer – Sharing your prayer intentions with each other enhances your bond as a family.

Families will continue to have the option to bring their kids to a classroom-style Faith Formation program. Our on-site sessions utilize the Finding God curriculum from Loyola Press and Blessed from Dynamic Catholic, which we will supplement with various resources and activities to make learning fun and age-appropriate, respecting the way kids learn. Parents will also receive session summary emails telling you what your child learned and giving you simples ways to reinforce the concepts at home.
On-site sessions begin in Kindergarten, which meets:

• Sundays, 9:30-10:45 AM, Grades K-8 at Holy Redeemer 
• Sundays, 11:15-12:30 PM, Grades K-8 at St. Ferdinand 
• Tuesdays, 4:30-5:45 PM, Grades K-5 at St. Ferdinand