The mission of the Catholic Church is to bring the message of Jesus to all people. When parents ask for baptism for their child, they accept the responsibility of training him or her in the practice of our faith. It is the duty of the parents, with the help of the Godparents, to bring up the child to keep God’s commandments as Jesus taught us, loving God and neighbor. This is faith formation, which last a lifetime.

As a parent, you are the first teacher of your child. Your child will learn from you what it important to you about our faith. Bedtime prayers, traditions such as using an Advent wreath, saying the rosary, Lenten sacrificing, attending weekend Liturgy, saying grace before meals, etc. all teach your child very important lessons at an early age.

There is help available to carry out this responsibility. Corpus Christi Parish provides Faith Formation programs at many levels of development. There are session opportunities on Sunday mornings from 8:30-9:45AM and Tuesday afternoons from 3:15-4:30PM for children in Pre-School through grade 5. Children study faith and doctrine from the FAITH FIRST series or the WE BELIEVE series both of which include many different experiences and activities.  These sessions are held in our Faith Formation Center located in Winslow attached to St. John Regional Catholic School.

An exciting opportunity has opened up this year to have a Fatih Formation class on Thursday afternoons at the Alfond Center here in Waterville.  Busses from all area elementary schools drop off kids after school.  You don't have to be a member at the Alfornd Center to participate.  Speak with Elaine Gordon, 660-9027, for more information.

We are offering a new program for Faith Formation this year called Family LIfe.  These sessions will be offered once eah month on Sunday afternoons from 3:00-5:00PM.  Families will begin the session together then children will break off from their parents and have their own age appropriate lesson.  At the same time parents will gather for their own discussions.  All will come together at the end of the session for a project and closing prayer.  This is a great opportunity for families to work together to further their understanding of our faith assisted by our Faith Formation program.

Sacramental Preparation is an important function of the Faith Formation program. In accordance with our Bishop and Diocese, our preparation program for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Holy Communion is a 2-year process. 
Year I:  In the first year students learn the basis of our Catholic Faith and are introduced to the Sacraments. 
Year II:  In the second year of Sacramental Preparation, children study the Sacraments in more depts. After an appropriate period of prayer and study, during this second year, students celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Eucharist. We believe that this is a vital period in the faith development of our young people, in need of specialized and focused preparation. Receiving 3 Sacraments within a is an exciting time but also challenging time—one that demands extra formation. It is therefore, our expectation that students are enrolled and regularly attending classes for the entire 2 years of this program.

If you prefer to teach your child at home please contact your Parish Catechetical Leader for our Home-Based materials. FAITH FIRST has excellent materials to assist you in your efforts to pass on your faith.

All sessions for Elementary Faith Formation, Family LIfe and Junior High Youth Ministry are held in our Lifelong Faith Formation Center.

For more information please contact Elaine Gordon, Parish Catechetical Leader:  660-9027.