Middle School Family Faith Formation (7&8)
Welcome to Middle School Faith Formation!
St. Patrick Parish’s Middle School Faith Formation program, Coming Together Nights (CTN), is designed to help students in grades 7 and 8 grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while exploring the questions that shape their identity, purpose, and faith.
Throughout the year, students engage in Catholicism 102, a dynamic formation program that explores the foundations of the Catholic faith through the lens of the Creed. Together, middle school students discover who God is, who they are as beloved sons and daughters of God, and how faith provides a roadmap for a life of meaning, purpose, and true happiness.
Through prayer, Scripture, small-group discussion, and fellowship, students are invited to encounter Christ, deepen their faith, and grow as His disciples.
CTN combines independent online learning with in-person faith experiences to create a meaningful and engaging approach to middle school faith formation.
Students and families grow in their faith together through the Catholicism 102 lesson modules at home each month. At our CTN gatherings, students deepen that learning through prayer, Scripture reflection, meaningful discussion, and small-group community.
This model allows young people to learn the content of the Catholic faith while also developing the habits of prayer, reflection, and discipleship that help faith become part of everyday life.
CTN meets on Sunday evenings from 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM throughout the school year. A complete schedule of gathering dates and at-home lesson assignments will be distributed at Parent Orientation and shared with registered families prior to the start of the program.
Each CTN gathering is designed to help students encounter Christ, grow in community, and connect their faith to daily life.
Our evenings include:
- Prayer and worship
- Fellowship and community-building activities
- Formation based on Catholicism 102
- Small-group discussion focused on the Sunday readings and parish homily
- Scripture study and practical tools for reading the Bible
- A weekly faith challenge to encourage students to live what they have learned
Through these experiences, students learn not only about their faith but how to live it as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Faith formation extends beyond the in-person CTN gatherings. Throughout the year, students complete Catholicism 102 assignments that prepare them for and build upon the learning, prayer, and discussion experienced during each gathering.
Students are expected to complete assigned online lesson modules before attending each CTN gathering. These lessons provide the foundation for prayer, discussion, Scripture reflection, and small-group engagement during our in-person gatherings.
Catholicism 102 explores topics such as identity, happiness, God’s plan of salvation, the Trinity, and what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Registration fees support the materials, resources, and programming provided through St. Patrick Parish Family Faith Formation, including Family Faith Formation K-6 and Coming Together Nights (CTN) 7&8.
Registration is considered complete once payment has been received. Payment may be made online or by check payable to “St. Patrick Parish” with “Family Faith Formation” in the memo line.
| Number of children | Early Bird Tuition (May 22 – June 19) | Tuition (after June 19) |
| 1 child | $130 | $150 |
| 2 children | $210 | $230 |
| 3+ children | $280 | $300 |
Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation strengthens and deepens the grace received at Baptism through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Through Confirmation, young people are more fully united with Christ and His Church and are strengthened to live as disciples of Jesus.
In accordance with Diocese of Joliet guidelines, youth must complete two consecutive years of catechetical formation before receiving the Rite of Confirmation. Based on their readiness, students in grade 8 or above who have completed two consecutive years of participation in our Middle School Faith Formation Ministry (Coming Together Nights – CTN) are invited to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Confirmation preparation takes place during the spring of the second year and includes four preparation sessions, a retreat, and the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in the fall.
