​Faith Formation for Children

​Contact: Tere Delgado
Faith Formation Minister
Every year we have about 600 children and teens enroll in Faith Formation. Kids come to church after school to make friends, have fun and learn about our Catholic faith. Church is fun and amazing the more we learn about Jesus!
​FREQUENT Q&A ABOUT Children's FAITH FORMATION
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Select Registration Forms. Download, Print it, fill it out and drop it by the office.

Q: What time is the office open?
A: Monday through Thursday 8:00am to 7:00pm, Fridays 8:00am to 5:00pm, Saturdays 3:00 pm to 6:15pm and Sundays 8:00am to 1:00pm
 
Q: How much does it cost?
A: $50 for Little Church and Middle School Ministry
      $25 for 4:12 (high school youth group)
      Everything else is $120 ($20 discount if received
before July 1)
      $25 extra for sacrament
See Schedule and Fees page of the registration packet for full list.
 
Q: What if I can’t pay today?
A: We ask for $25 with registration paperwork. It is ok to make payments over a few months for the balance, all due by December. If you are worried about the fees, please contact Tere Delgado. Tere does not want anyone to miss out on Faith Formation because they are worried about fees.
 
Q: When does it start?
A: Registration is open the first week of May. We plan the lessons and purchase materials in the summer. We form learning Centers in late August and recruit and train Catechists (teachers) and Leaders in September. Parent meetings come next in late September and the children and teens come back when the program year begins the last Sunday in September.
 
Q: Can I get a calendar?
A: Yes, calendars are available at the parent meetings. Watch the website for calendar information coming soon!!
 
Q: When are the parent meetings?
A: Parent meetings are on Monday September 17 OR Tuesday September 18 at 6:30pm in the Serra Center. Come to the evening that fits your schedule. You will meet all the Coordinators for all your children in one night.
 
Q: I am not Catholic, can I still help?
A: Yes, we have so many ways to get involved, contact one of our Coordinators to find out how. Our children benefit most from having many loving adults around!! Join in!
 
Q: My kids are Catholic, I am not. How can I keep up with what they are learning?
A: For all ages, pre-school and above, just volunteer! Be a parent helper. Attend all the family events that we host. For everyone, check the bulletin for adult formation opportunities. This year check out The University series during Lent. Contact Tere Delgado for more information and more hands-on ways to participate in children’s formation.
 
Q: My daughter has special needs, can she even make her sacraments?
A: In almost every case, yes! Each year we have 2-4 children or teens with special needs that are enrolled and preparing for sacraments.
 
Q: I have been away from the church for a while, how can I come back?
A: Just walk through the door…come to Sunday mass; or make an appointment with our Faith Life Minister; or contact Landings Ministry, a group that will welcome you and answer your questions; or through your children, contact Tere Delgado to get involved. There are many ways to come home. Please let us know how we can best welcome you.
 
Q: I want to help out but I don’t want to teach, what can I do?
A: There is no end to the possibilities! We always need help in the office with administrative work or preparing teaching materials. Meet with Tere Delgado to discern a good spot for you based on your interests and availability.
 
Q: Can my kid start midyear?
A: Children and teens can start at any time. For Sacraments, First Communion and Confirmation, baptized participants must receive two full consecutive years of preparation. Contact Tere Delgado, she will partner with you to discern the best plan for your family.
 
​Q: Can my teen bring a friend?
A: For youth…always! Our middle school ministry, Three:Sixteen, has guest permission forms outside at every meeting. 4:12 (pronounced four-one-two), our high school ministry, teens may bring a friend; simply introduce your friend to Brett that night. For younger children, please contact Tere Delgado.
Spark!
Grades 1 and 2
About 3 times a month
​Children in grades 1 and 2 meet in small groups of 10 children, 2 adults and a teenager about 3 times a month to learn about and grow in their relationship with Jesus and their understanding of our faith traditions, prayers and practices through games, crafts and hands-on lessons. Family events are built in to the curriculum too! 
Coordinator
Jennifer Gutierrez​
Spark!
Grades 3, 4 and 5
​About 3 times a month
Third, fourth and fifth graders meet in small groups of 12 children, 2 adults and a teenager to learn about our Catholic faith in a way that fosters fun, fellowship and discipleship with a focus on service to the poor and the meaning of the gospel message in their daily lives. Grade 5 studies the bible. Family events are built in to the curriculum too!
Coordinator
Christine Olsen
Three:Sixteen
Grades 6, 7 and 8​
Meets most Wednesdays
​Our middle school kids have a blast reading scripture, playing, praying, and being crazy. They have an equal focus on bible study and building community with one another. The name is from the gospel of John 3:16! Three : Sixteen is completely run by our team with a couple of parents by our side each week. ​​​
Coordinator
​Tere Delgado
Baptism for School-Age Children
Grades 1 through 8
We have a loving and welcoming process at Padre Serra through which children 6 years of age and older are prepared to be received into the Church. Infants and very young children are baptized based on the faith of their parents, godparents and the community. But school-age children, capable of having a faith of their own, are initiated through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) process, adapted for children.
Coordinator
Catherine Shadduck
First Reconciliation and Communion Retreats
Grades 1 through 8
2 half-day retreats with their parents
​After a minimum of two consecutive years of the whole family participating in Faith Formation, children in grades 2 through 8 who are ready to receive their First Reconciliation (Confession) and First Communion, attend two half-day retreats with their parents to prepare for these holy sacraments.
Coordinator
Mary Huebner

Weekend Experience for Children

Stay & Play
12 to 36 Months
Sundays
​During 9:00am ​and 11:00am mass
Parents, come meet Miss Nicole and see this free resource in the San Juan Bautista room (4th room on the right in the courtyard), it is for you!

​
Contact
​Teresa Runyon
Little Church
3 through kinder
Sundays
During 9:00am ​and 11:00am mass
Children enrolled in Little Church gather to make friends and learn about God and our Catholic faith in a preschool style environment through stories, prayer, songs, crafts and snacks. ​
​
Coordinator
​Soraya Thenoz
Liturgy of the Word
Grades 1 through 5
Sundays
During 9:00am ​and 11:00am mass
Children, in grades 1-5, are invited to a separate space to hear the readings and Gospel proclaimed at their level from the Children's Lectionary. Children rejoin their families in church in time for the Eucharistic prayer. ​
Contact
Anne McMahon