Faith Formation Office: 724-444-1971
Faith Formation Manager: Elizabeth Bedel- ext. 20
Faith Formation Assistant: Mary Haenig- ext. 15
Middle School Coordinator: Holly Joy Penzenstadler - ext. 28
Secretary: Mrs. JoAnn Van Atta - ext. 29
Receptionist: Mrs. Judi Hoffmann - ext. 19
Go To: Faith Formation -Philosophy and Operating Principles Page
St. Richard Parish offers a full array of religious education opportunities available to families of the parish with the primary focus of supporting parents as the first and primary educators of the faith of their children. The following describes the programs available to assist parents/guardians with the decision of best format for their child. If you have questions about our programming opportunities, please contact the Faith Formation Office so that we may assist you.
On-site and Home-site Learning Environments
St. Richard offers weekly faith formation sessions both at our on-site campus and in neighborhood homes. Each “class” is staffed by parishioner volunteers as teachers and aides. Home-sites may also have home-site sponsors who offer hospitality and the location for meeting.
The following formative opportunities are available in both on-site and home-site learning environments. While home-sites may be less classroom oriented, the curriculum and activities are identical through both environments insuring diocesan catechetical guidelines are accomplished for each age/grade level.
Early Childhood Faith Formation Program:
Full faith formation for 4 year olds and Kindergarten aged children. Curriculum centers on God as Creator, creation, family, the Church family and membership, relationships, introductory prayer and basic scripture learning. Much hands-on and discovery activities keep children involved and moving and are lead by teachers and aides. This program is very popular and registration may be limited.
Primary Grades 1-5 Faith Formation Program:
Following a liturgy-centered model, this program is rooted in the experience of the Sunday mass. In each session, the Sunday scriptures are proclaimed, studied, prayed, and integrated as young members build their Catholic identity. The curriculum used, RCL’s Faith First, takes a spiral approach to religious education and offers increasing depths of faith experiences and knowledge in Catholic doctrine, morality, and the sacraments in age appropriate faith levels based on the child’s age/grade. Like topics are studied in the different grades the same week so that discussion and integration may take place with siblings of differing age at home.
Junior High Faith Formation Program for Grades 6-8:
Also based in a liturgy-centered model, the Junior High program offers curriculum in Scripture, “Creed and Prayer” and “Liturgy and Morality.”. Each session is lead by a teacher and aide employing dynamic methodology applicable to pre-teens. In the 8th grade, programming at the Sunday evening session partners with the Life Teen mass and incorporates periodic integration and social activities with high schoolers who are meeting concurrently in our Life Teen Youth Ministry program.
Family Program:
Using the same curriculum as the on-site and home-site options, with the Family Program, formation occurs primarily with the family in their home. Catechetical sessions are led by the child’s parents. Parents plan a single lesson using the Faith First Family Guide and teach their own children of varying ages at the same time based on their family schedule.
Families in this program option once a month:
• Attend mass together
• Prepare a covered dish breakfast
• Participate in a catechetical session together either on the second or fourth Sunday of the month where they are prepared for the next month's topics and assigned the chapters to cover.
Home School Program:
With this option, the Faith First Curriculum is also used. Parents also serve as their children’s teachers in the home and receive one teacher’s manual per grade. For each child, an Individual Faith Formation Plan (IFFP) is developed. Periodically, children and parents meet with the Director of Religious Education or Coordinator of Religious Education at which chapter reviews are submitted and reviewed.
Faith Formation for Persons with Special Needs:
Using the Rose Kennedy religious education curriculum for children and adults with special needs, this program is oriented to children with mental retardation and other special needs. Similar to an IEP used in the public school, the Individual Faith Formation Plan (IFFP) provides detailed information regarding a child’s diagnosed needs and their social/emotional/psychological abilities. In addition, it maps out religious education programming content and methodologies for parish pastoral administration, parents, catechists, and the child. While preferred, the degree of mainstreaming within another program option depends upon the preparation, support structures, and abilities of volunteer catechetical staff to creative the best possible formative experience with the child.
Sacramental Preparation Programs
RCIA for Children:
This program geared toward children who have reached the age of reason and who have not been baptized prepares them for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation and holy eucharist. Catechesis on the Church’s beliefs, moral life, sacraments, and disciples are at the core of the content with weekly scripture study presented. Initiation takes place at the Easter Vigil liturgy, however, children move through this process at their own pace thereby often making it a multi-year preparation experience. Following initiation, children are integrated into either the on-site, home-site, or family program. This process also applies to children who have been baptized in other Christian faith traditions who are joining the Catholic church after reaching the age of reason and may be applied to baptized Catholic children beyond the age of reason, but previously receiving no formal religious education.
First Reconciliation/Eucharist:
Children who have reached the age of seven or older and who have received religious education instruction in the previous year are extended the invitation to participate in preparation for the sacraments reconciliation and holy eucharist. This sacramental preparation program is primarily parent led and includes Evenings of Reflection, a total of 15 chapters for parents to complete with their child, a retreat day, sacramental family chats with parish leadership, and the celebration of the sacraments. All sacramental preparation is in conformity with the guidelines of the Diocese of Pittsburgh employing approved curriculum and methods.
Confirmation:
Our confirmation preparation program is a cooperative effort between faith formation and youth ministry and is open youth entering the ninth grade or older and who have completed the “Creed and Prayer” and “Liturgy and Morality” units of the junior high program. Youth are presented with four lessons by volunteer catechists only at the church campus. In addition, with their parents (and sponsors), they attend an Evening of Reflection and receive a confirmation preparation packet that they complete together to discern the decision to be confirmed at this time. Parents and candidates also have the opportunity to complete three service activities together over the summer. Candidates are required to attend one weekend retreat, two additional focus nights where they view Bishop Wuerl’s Confirmation Preparation Video’s as required as the final preparation for confirmation by the Diocese of Pittsburgh, and a rehearsal with their sponsor. As an introduction to youth ministry at St. Richard, candidates also participate in Sunday evening Life Nights.
Vacation Bible School:
During the summer months, St. Richard also offers a one week high-energy Bible School for pre-schoolers and primary grade aged children using Catholic curriculum. Each day, children travel with their small group through various stations of learning activities, crafts, snacks, and games that bring home the Scripture focus of the day. Each day begins and ends with prayer. |
Faith Formation is looking for volunteers as catechists at our on-site sessions or for our home-site program. We are also looking for volunteers to help with clerical functions during regular business hours or during on-site sessions. If you are able to volunteer with us, please complete a volunteer form by downloading it from this website or call the Faith Formation Office at 724-444-1971, ext. 19. Volunteer forms may be returned via the collection basket, mail, or by dropping it off at the parish or Faith Formation Office
- FAITH FORMATION. DOWNLOADS -
The Catholic Vision of Love
New Child Faith Formation Registration Form
2008 - 09 Lesson Schedules
Faith Formation Volunteer Form
Faith Formation Early Dismissal Form
Faith Formation Progress Request Form
Goals and Guides of Faith Formation per Grade Level
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