Welcome to Faith Formation!
St. John's Department of Faith Formation, 2021 Sandridge Road, Alden, NY 14004
Phone: (716) 937-6959 Ext. 103
Email: faith.formation@stjohnsalden.org
Faith Formation Leader: Angela Behrend
2024-2025 FAITH FORMATION INFORMATION GRADES 1-9
“Let the children come to me...” Matthew 19:14
St. John the Baptist Faith Formation is a partnership with your family in helping to form disciples of Christ.
Elementary
St. John the Baptist Elementary Faith Formation program is a hybrid model that consists of both grade level classes and family learning for grades 1-6. In a typical month, students will attend two to three in-person grade level classes, and one Families of Faith session where families come together to learn. At our Families of Faith sessions, students of all ages are welcome to join their families, but lessons are geared towards students in grades 1-6.
Elementary classes are held on Sundays from 9:30-10:45am according to the schedule above, at St. John the Baptist School.
Families of Faith sessions will be on Saturdays at 3pm and Sundays at 9am and 10am at St.John the Baptist School. You may choose your desired session to attend in the registration form.
Family Masses will be held once a month at 11am after Faith Formation classes. Families are expected to attend this Mass as part of Faith Formation requirements. Please see the St. John the Baptist Faith Formation Schedule for detailed information.
Middle School
Middle School classes are classroom based on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:45am two to three times per month. Each month, Family Masses will be held at 11am after Faith Formation classes. Families are expected to attend this Mass as part of Faith Formation requirements. Please see the St. John the Baptist Faith Formation Schedule for detailed information.
High School
High School classes are classroom based on Sunday mornings from 9:15-10:45am two to three times per month. Each month, Family Masses will be held at 11am after Faith Formation classes. Families are expected to attend this Mass as part of Faith Formation requirements. Please see the St. John the Baptist Faith Formation Schedule for detailed information.
Students entering Grade 2 will need to register for the sacrament of First Reconciliation.
Students entering Grade 3 will need to register for the sacrament of First Communion.
SACRAMENTS
First Reconciliation- There will be four evening classes beginning in February. A parent or
guardian is required to stay with the student for all classes. First Reconciliation will take place
mid-March. A parent meeting will be held prior to classes starting for further information.
First Communion- There will be five evening classes beginning in March. A parent or
guardian is required to stay with the student for all classes. First Communion will take place in
May. A parent meeting will be held prior to classes starting for further information.
Confirmation- Classes will be held on Sunday mornings from 9:15am-10:45am, two-three times
per month from September 15th-April 13th. Students will need to have completed a
High School Faith Formation class last year to be eligible for Confirmation prep classes.
Please fill out the separate sacramental registration forms linked below:
Registration Links :
2024-2025 Faith Formation Class Registration
First Reconciliation Registration
CONFIRMATION IMPORTANT DATES AND FORMS
September 8- Enrollment Mass at 11am.
December 3- Confirmation Sponsor Form with Sponsor Letter of Recommendation due.
March 24th- All paperwork due: Choosing of a Christian Name, Service Record Form, Service Reflections, and Letter to the Bishop. Please return all paperwork in your Red Folder.
April 13th- All day Retreat
St. John's Parish believes Religious Education is a continuing journey of faith. It is one that begins in the home and is reinforced by religious education classes. We strive to teach the students the basic principles of the Catholic faith, giving meaning to the rituals and symbols of Catholicism and helping them grow in their prayer life. It is our desire to work in conjunction with their families. These classes need to be combined with their family’s daily commitment to practicing the faith (regular Mass attendance, commitment to God, service to others and good example).
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Safe Environment Training
We can all be part of the solution--- together we can prevent child abuse. All clergy, consecrated men and women and employees, are required to take Safe Environment Training. In addition, all volunteers serving minors, working in food pantries or meal service, providing ministerial service in private homes or other facilities and/or administering service in an after school program must be trained.
In the Diocese of Buffalo all volunteers over 18 years old must complete a safe environment training foundation class. The current foundation training program is “Protecting God’s Children for Adults" which is a 3 hour program that provides steps that each one of us can take to prevent child sexual abuse. As a component of the training, all volunteers are required to complete a Volunteer Application and Code of Ethics.
After taking the Safe Environment foundation course, a renewal training through monthly online training is required.
Please visit virtus.org to learn more about the Diocese of Buffalo Safe Environment Training, to register for a training class, or to complete online training.
The Diocese of Buffalo encourages anyone who has been a victim of sexual, physical or emotional abuse by any clergy, consecrated life, employee or volunteer of the Roman Catholic Church to contact the police.
Please continue to pray for the end of all abuse and a greater respect of the dignity of the human person.
"Be Bold. Be Catholic." Decision Point