St. John's Department of Faith Formation, 2021 Sandridge Road, Alden, NY 14004
Phone: (716) 937-6959 Ext. 103
Email: [email protected]
Faith Formation Leader: Angela Behrend
2023-2024 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 three in-person grade level classes, and one Families of Faith session where families come together to learn or one Family Home Study in which a lesson will be email to families to complete together. 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 through High School classes are all held on Sundays from 9:45-10:45am according to the schedule below, 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.
Middle and High School
Middle School and High School classes are classroom based and about 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.
Sacraments
First Reconciliation- There will be four evening classes beginning in the winter. 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 early spring. 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 9:45am-10:45am, two-three times
per month from September 17th through March 24th. Students will need to have completed a
High School Faith Formation class last year. Please see the Confirmation Schedule for detailed
information.
Please fill out the separate sacramental registration forms linked below.
Click the link to view 2023-2024 Faith Formation Calender: 2023-2024 Faith Formation Calendar
Click the link to view 2023-2024 Confirmation Class Schedule: 2023-2034 Confirmation Class Schedule
Registration Links :
2023-2024 Faith Formation Registration Grades 1-9
First Reconciliation Registration
First Communion Registration
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