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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 1:15pm 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) Everything else is $120 ($20 discount if received by 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 18 OR Tuesday September 19 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 mid year? 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. SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN
We are dedicated and committed to protecting all God's children. We follow the policies and procedures set forth by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and our parish Safeguard the Children Committee. At Padre Serra, all adults who work with or around children must attend Virtus awareness training. Additionally, adults who supervise children must be live-scan fingerprinted by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Virtus - Protecting God's Children Awareness Training - This three-hour workshop helps clergy, staff, volunteers and parents to understand the facts and myths about child sexual abuse; how perpetrators operate; and how caring adults can take five important steps to keep children safe. For more information or to find a session, please Click here. Fingerprinting - Live Scan fingerprinting by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is required for all adult staff and volunteers who work directly with children. Guidelines for working with Children - Each year adult staff and volunteers receive and review the Archdiocesan Guidelines for working with children. Youth working with other youth also recieve guidelines. Click here to read these guidelines. Touching Safety Program - Required by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for children enrolled in school or parish programs, is a vehicle through which parents, teachers, leaders and youth ministers give children and young people the tools they need to protect themselves from those who might harm them. Our Faith Formation team presents this material to help children identify unsafe situations, say stop and tell a trusted adult. Safeguard the Children Committee - For more information about the commitee and its work parish@padreserra.org Working Together 2017 Brochure - click here to read Reporting Abuse or Misconduct - click here to read Archdiocesan Electronic Communications Policy and Resources - click here to read United States Conference of Catholic Bishops "Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People" - click here to read For more information, please visit the Archdiocese of Los Angeles website or contact: Alan Lien (805) 482 · 6417 alanlien@padreserra.org | ||
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!
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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. |
