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Our children are our future. Saints JFX youth programs are designed to help the young people of our parish continue to grow spiritually while following the four pillars of the Catholic Catechism: Creed, Prayer, Sacraments and Morality. Guided by the Holy Spirit, our staff works diligently to provide great faith formation for all our children — God’s children. We partner closely with parents, as home and parents are where children first learn about God’s love.
Youth Faith Formation News BriefOur Youth Programs
Youth Faith Formation
We serve the Catholic community of Wilmette and surrounding areas by offering religious education for grades preK to 8. Classes are taught by VIRTUS certified catechists and our program is run by our Co-Directors of Youth Faith Formation. Following 8th grade Confirmation, high school students participate in our ACTION youth ministry program.
Our Youth Faith Formation program for 2021-22 will begin in mid September and continue through May. We will have onsite (in person) classes. The support and participation of parents in their children’s faith formation is essential. Our parish team is supporting your family’s faith journey. We do God’s work together, helping each other achieve our most important goal in life of getting to heaven. In order to maintain consistency with the religious education curriculum, the students in the YFF Program and those in the school will use the same series. It is important for the children (and all of us) to feel that they are part of a bigger group than just those they see at their individual classes. Our 2021-22 class options are:
Our Vision Youth Faith Formation helps the children of our Saints JFX parish deepen their faith. We develop their knowledge of God and the church, prepare them to receive their sacraments, and lay the groundwork for a lifetime of discipleship. Overall, we equip them with the knowledge and experience to decide how to be a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ and a responsible member of His church. Click on the YFF registration tab below to get started. First Reconciliation & First Communion
YFF serves as a Sacrament preparation program for our children. The Rite of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are celebrated at the second grade level; however, students begin preparation in first grade. Click HERE for more information. Confirmation
The Sacrament of Confirmation is also a two-year process, as preparation begins in the Fall of 7th grade and the actual Confirmation will take place in the spring of 8th grade. Click HERE for more information. CLOW (Children's Liturgy)
Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) Ages 5-9 Children’s Liturgy of the Word (“CLOW”) is offered for children ages 5 through 9 at the 9:30 AM Mass at St. Francis Xavier Church and at the 10:30 Mass at St. Joseph Church every Sunday. This is an Archdiocesan-approved program to give younger children the opportunity to hear and discuss Sunday’s readings at their level. Click HERE for more information. SPRED (Special Religious Education Development)
Special Religious Development (SPRED) is a program to bring all persons with developmental disabilities into full membership in the parish. A community of adult believers gathers to welcome those with developmental disabilities and to grow in faith with them as preparation for their participation in the worship experiences of the parish community. SPRED communities are formed in age groups: children 6-10, 11-16, 17-21 and adults. Saints JFX hosts a group for children 11–16 with a leader catechist, an activity catechist, and six adult catechists, each of whom has a young friend. There are groups for every age in neighboring parishes. Contact the parish chairperson for further information: Marion Kahle: mkkahle@yahoo.com. Volunteer
The YFF program invites parents to get involved in various opportunities throughout the year including being a Room Parent, YFF grade level Mass Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers, Parking Lot and Door Monitor, Food Pantry assistance, Open House set-up and welcoming, activities and events throughout the year such as Wake Up Santa, Pizza and Ashes, Christmas Pageant, Blessing Bags donations/distribution and other parish-wide events. Volunteer roles include:
Youth Faith Formation Board
The board is made up of adult volunteers who have an interest in continuing to enhance and foster the faith of the children of our parish. There are 8-10 members of the Board and each member serves a 3-year term. Directors of Youth Faith Formation
We welcome you to Saints JFX Youth Faith Formation Program, a Spirit-filled journey of Catholic faith formation with child, parent and catechist led by the Holy Spirit. We are grateful and honored to share your family’s faith journey and help parents emphasize the importance of a relationship with Jesus. Our YFF program is blessed with amazing catechists who want to see our Catholic faith tradition passed on to the next generation. They are dedicated and caring. They will be working towards helping your children understand the love of God in their lives. Our program is led by Co-Directors (also called DRE's) who ensure consistent communication with your family and are available to answer any questions. Families receive a bi-weekly newsletter which includes updates about our classes and service opportunities, a calendar of events for that period, invitations to and reminders about happenings and events in our parish. Our community prides itself on the involvement of our parishioners and we hope that you get involved in the many ministries, events and liturgies that will help your family feel connected to this community. Meet our Directors
Dana McKenna is the director of Religious Education Sacramental (First Reconciliation. First Communion and Confirmation). Contact Dana at dmckenna@ssjfx.org or SJ call 847-251-0771. Dani Froelich is the director of Religious Education non-sacramental. Contact Dani at dfroelich@ssjfx.org or SFX 847-256 -4250. ACTION for Teens
ACTION: Belong. Grow. Serve.
At Saints JFX, we believe that when we create a spiritual home for our young people, nurture their gifts and talents, and feed their faith, we get passionate, active disciples who become busy transforming the world. That’s why we call our high school ministry “ACTION.” ACTION meets weekly on Sunday nights for a vibrant, student-led liturgy and programming opportunities to deepen members’ faith. What emerges is a strong community of Catholic teens from all over Wilmette who have the chance to connect to one another in an intentional faith community. It doesn’t stop there—faith leads to service, and ACTION students engage in service opportunities throughout the year. For more information on ACTION including dates, times, and locations, please click the button below! |
