Grades K – 5

August 10, 2026

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to Faith Formation!
We are very excited to start Faith Formation this year! September 9 will be the opening evening and our first Faith Formation session. What better way to start our year than with Mass before we begin our formal session.

This year we will be using the Sophia “Spirit of Truth” books with each grade working at their grade level. We will not be able to finish the lessons in one hour a week. Therefore, there will be some pages to finish at home.

That is why catechizing adults/parents is also very important to us. There will be a presentation to the parents each week using the Sophia “Family of Faith” volume III, “Life in Christ.” With this volume we will help you learn how to share your faith with your child in everyday life at home and in the world. These sessions will be presented by Fr. Emmanuel, Fr. Aloysius, and Fr. Basil along with other guest presenters, and held at the same time as the Faith Formation sessions. Learning and growing in faith as parents will help you teach and be an example to your child as they learn and grow in their faith.

Mass is so important to our lives, and truly the first part of catechesis for all of us.  As a Church, for parents to guide their children in the practice of the faith, and for students to learn and practice the rich traditions of our Catholic Faith we look to the Mass. Therefore, to help families, we will continue the Liturgy of the Word for Children during our Sunday 11am Mass and we would like to add it during the 9am Mass as well. If you are interested in helping with this program, please let me know.

Again, this year, the Pre-K class will spend much of their time focusing on Bible stories. By using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori based program, where children can grow in their relationship with God through a deep engagement in Scripture and Liturgy. The stories in the bible are so important for these young students to begin their knowledge of the faith as well as the basics in the Liturgical Year.
For all students, we cannot stress enough the importance of reading the Bible at home. Knowing some of the basic stories will build a good foundation in faith.
In addition to Faith Formation, as it is with All Saints Catholic School students, those who wish for their child to receive sacraments will also be part of the sacramental preparation process. The information on these parent and family sessions will be forthcoming.

On September 9 we will begin our Faith Formation year at the Center of Evangelization/ST. JOHN CHURCH of All Saints Parish at 6pm in the church with Mass. This building is where our Faith Formation sessions will take place each week. After Mass, the students will go to their classroom with their catechist. When they receive their books they will be expected to bring them each week.  

Because we are expecting parents to do some of the teaching at home, and we know that many students need to be in bed early, our weekly class time is only an hour long. Classes will begin promptly at 6:00 pm and we will join together for a short prayer at 6:55 pm in the church.
 
In order to be ready for Faith Formation we will need you to fill out the registration form. You may go to the link https://alpenacatholics.org/faith-formation/grades-k-5/faith-formation-k-5-registration-form/  or to our webpage, alpenacatholics.org and go to Evangelization/Grades K-5/Faith Formation K-5 Registration Form and register so that we are prepared for each student/family. The registration fee is $50 for one student or $75 for a family. If you need a scholarship, we do have those available. Please call me to request a scholarship. You have the option to pay the registration fee online or with a check. However you pay the fee, please make sure you put the first and last name of each student in the “note” section so that I know who has paid.

When you fill out the registration, please supply an email address that is visited frequently. It is also important that you join our parish Flocknote by going to alpenacatholics.flocknote.com or bytexting “Alpena” to 84576. I will be communicating mainly through Flocknote. If you have already signed up and have received my flocknotes in the past you do not need to sign up again. However, if you have a change of email or phone number, please let me know so that it can be corrected.

We are so looking forward to working with you and your family. Please register as soon as possible so we are prepared for all students for the first week.
More details will follow in the coming weeks.

God bless you,                                                In cooperation with,
Jackie Benson, Catechetical Leader            Fr. Emmanuel Finbarr, Pastor 
jbenson@alpenacatholics.org                     Fr. Aloysius Okpala, Parochial Vicar
                                                                       Fr. Basil Lek, Parochial Vicar
                                                                        

Click here to register