Welcome to Elementary Faith Formation!  Registration for 2020-2021 is here with new opportunities for children and families.  With an emphasis on building strong Catholic families, faith formation will take place through two different settings:
1) Family At-Home Learning and Discussions, with easy-to-use resource materials which will be provided; along with training and support as needed
2) Large Group gatherings once a month at OLA* - 8 times total.
The plans for next year were made in collaboration with all OLA staff members and with the approval of Msgr. Bell. Permission for groups to meet in our buildings at any given time is based on what’s allowed by the Diocese of Dallas, civil authorities and whether or not OLA has the resources to adequately maintain facilities based on CDC guidelines.

*If circumstances change you will be updated.
 
In this document you will find:

1. Information on Family formation including a faith formation calendar
2. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion information for 2^nd through 5^th graders who are in their second year of Sacrament preparation.

• Open Registration: Begins June 15 – Open to all parishioners as well as non-parishioners.
• Please register by August 1 in order to give staff and volunteers adequate time to prepare and order materials.  By honoring this date, your considerateness of our time and efficiency is greatly appreciated. 

 
Registration for ALL faith formation is online.  NOTE: Please be sure to complete a separate registration for each child in your family and indicate the grade he/she will be in for the 2020-2021 school year.

Register for Elementary
Faith Formation

 
Our goal is to Form Strong Catholic Families.  We aim to provide quality faith formation and family gathering opportunities. An annual registration fee of $75 per child/with a maximum of $300 per family is requested.  However, we will always provide full and partial scholarships, as well as payment plans, to families in need.

Our Lady of Angels is excited to offer A Family of Faith (K – 5^th) to help develop strong Catholic families in which children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of our Faith through the witness of Christian life given by their parents.
Studies tell us that parental involvement in the faith-life of their child is by far the most important element in ensuring that a child develops into a practicing Christian. A Family of Faith provides parents with an easy-to-use, turnkey solution to catechizing the whole family and helping parents lead their children to Heaven.

Engaging with Our Parish
With A Family of Faith, families come together regularly — growing in relationship with one another and learning the truths of the Catholic Faith and how to apply them in their lives. In the parish and at home parents and children have the opportunity to build strong relationships through discussion and reflection on topics that matter in their lives.

Following Jesus
As families continue to come together to learn about the life of Jesus Christ, His teachings, and the Catholic Faith, they desire to know Him better. The home becomes the place of deep learning as families desire to follow Jesus more closely. Families are introduced to the spiritual treasures of the home, the domestic church. Parents can learn and share with their children practices such as grace before meals, reading and praying with Scripture, and learning about the lives of the saints. All these are included in the monthly Our Catholic Home feature.

Building the Domestic Church
As parents and children engage in discussion about what they are learning, spiritual curiosity is awakened and families desire to deepen their understanding. Each month parents have the opportunity to choose from a variety of activities and discussions that they can do as a family to explore the concepts that are taught in each lesson. Younger children might learn through the experience of coloring one of the beautiful illustrations while older children might meditate on the Scripture.

A Two Year Preparation Process
Our bishop is tasked with the responsibility to help his flock grow in their faith, so he asks all Diocese of Dallas parishes to provide two years of preparation for those seeking to receive these Sacraments. 
 
Sacrament Preparation typically looks like this:

• 1^st Grade – Year 1 preparation through foundational formation & catechesis
• 2^nd Grade - Year 2 Sacrament Preparation through formation, catechesis, and Sacrament retreats

• Any 1^st grader; as well as any 2^nd through 5^th grader who did not attend faith formation last year.
• These students will receive At-Home parent-led catechesis through the Family of Faith program, along with monthly on-site family gatherings -- as permissible.
• These students should also be attending weekly Mass with their families – as permissible.

• Any 2^nd through 5^th grader who attended faith formation classes last year either at home or at a Catholic parish*.
• These students will receive At-Home parent-led catechesis through the Family of Faith program along with monthly on-site family gatherings – as permissible. These students will also receive additional online Sacrament specific resources, which may include digital classroom gatherings. These students and a parent will also attend 2 Sacrament prep retreats in the Spring of 2021.
• These students should also be attending weekly Mass with their families – as permissible.

*Note: Contact us if your child participated in a formation program at a different parish last year, to determine equivalence.