Family Faith Formation K-6
Welcome to Family Faith Formation K-6!
Family Faith Formation K-6 at St. Patrick Parish is a partnership between parents/guardians and the parish to help children grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Rooted in the belief that parents/guardians are the primary educators of their children’s faith, this ministry equips families to live, learn, and share the Catholic faith together.
Through prayer, formation, worship, and faith-filled conversations, Family Faith Formation helps build a strong foundation for lifelong discipleship within the home and parish community.
“The primary way Christian identity becomes rooted in children’s lives is through the day-to-day religious practices of the family and the ways parents model their faith and share it.” Adapted from American Catholic Religious Parenting by Christian Smith and Amy Adamczyk Bartkus.
Family Faith Formation K-6 is a parish-based faith formation model for children in kindergarten through grade 6 and their parents/guardians.
Rather than viewing faith formation as something that happens only in a classroom, Family Faith Formation K-6 recognizes that the home is the primary place where faith is nurtured and lived. The parish supports parents/guardians by providing formation, resources, and community while children receive age-appropriate catechesis grounded in Catholic teaching.
Together, parents, children, and the parish grow in faith as a community of disciples.
Families attend one Family Faith Formation session each month:
Sunday Session
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM
Wednesday Session
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Families select one session option for the entire year.
To provide a positive experience for all participants, enrollment in each session is limited. Registration for a session will close once capacity is reached.
Each Family Faith Formation session begins with parents/guardians and children meeting together as a parish community.
Following the opening session:
- Parents/guardians participate in adult faith formation and discussion.
- Parents/guardians receive practical resources and tools for nurturing faith at home.
- Children meet in grade-level groups for engaging catechetical activities.
- Lessons incorporate Scripture, Catholic teaching, prayer, and interactive learning experiences.
Each month, families receive take-home materials designed to continue faith formation beyond the parish session.
Family Faith Formation K-6 extends beyond the monthly parish session and encourages families to make faith a regular part of everyday life.
Throughout the year, families receive:
Monthly Formation Guides
Resources that reinforce the monthly theme through prayer, discussion, and family activities.
Weekly Family Emails
Supplemental resources and practical ideas for incorporating faith into daily family life.
Family Reflections
Opportunities to reflect on faith experiences and share how God is working within the family.
Family Mass Reflections
Guided reflections that help families connect Sunday Mass to their daily lives and deepen their participation in the Eucharist.
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.
Registration closes on Friday, August 14, 2026.
| 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 |
First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion
The sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are important milestones in your child’s faith journey. Through these sacraments, children encounter God’s love, mercy, and presence in a deeper way as they continue to grow as disciples of Jesus.
After Baptism, children begin preparing to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Baptized students in second grade and above may participate in the sacramental preparation process.
In accordance with Diocese of Joliet guidelines, children must complete two consecutive years of catechetical formation before receiving these Sacraments. While many children begin preparation in second grade, readiness is not determined solely by grade level. Rather, it is based on the child’s spiritual, emotional, and catechetical readiness to receive the Sacraments fruitfully.
Children participate in four preparation sessions designed specifically for them while families receive at-home activities and reflection opportunities. First Reconciliation is typically held in the spring before First Holy Communion. Families are encouraged to attend and participate in this special milestone.
Children participate in four preparation sessions focused on the Eucharist and their participation in the Mass. Families also complete at-home activities and reflections and participate in a parent/guardian-child retreat. Parents/Guardians also attend a sacramental preparation meeting. First Holy Communion is typically celebrated in the spring following the completion of preparation.
All sacramental preparation activities, meetings, retreats, and requirements are in addition to, and do not replace, participation in the Family Faith Formation K-6 ministry.
Because the Eucharist is at the center of Catholic life, participation in Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation is an essential part of preparation for First Holy Communion. Regular participation helps children become familiar with the prayers, responses, and rituals of the Mass while fostering a deeper connection to Christ and the parish community. By worshiping together, families model the importance of faith and support their children’s sacramental journey.
