The Christian family is ordinarily the first experience of the Christian community and the primary environment for growth in faith; it is the “church of the home”, the domestic church. In his 1994 Letter to Families, Pope John Paul II wrote: “Parents are the first and most important educators of their own children, and they also possess a fundamental competence in this area: they are educators because they are parents.” It is through the living witness of parents that children first experience the faith; faith-filled moments permeate all of family life. This experience is irreplaceable and lasts throughout life. 

As parents, you teach your children through your example every day. You teach them to walk, talk, tie their shoes, and say their prayers. As parents you are blessed with the love and grace to foster your children’s spiritual growth and it is in the family that children learn to love and serve God.  Indeed, as parents you are uniquely able to teach your children – first because you yourselves are persons of faith and second because you are parents. It is this religious formation that is the foundation of all other forms of religious education a person receives.

Faith Catechesis Program

• Teach your children the monthly lesson.
• Take your family to the monthly meeting with the catechist. 
• Attend the month gathering with the priest to better understand your faith and to be better prepared to hand on the faith to your children.
• Help your children memorize essential Catholic prayers, not only by practicing at home, by attending weekend Sunday Mass
• Follow the precepts of the Church
  • Taking their families to Mass every Sunday and all Holy Days of Obligation. 
  • Follow the Church's Abstinence and Fasting Laws during Lent.
  • Receive Holy Communion at least once a year.
  • Go to confession at least once a year.
  • Care for the needs of the Church.