Growing In Faith Together GIFT
ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA PARISH FAITH FORMATION PARENTS MEETING – JUNE 16, 2025
Christian Admonition
A Reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans (12:1-8)
I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.
For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned.
For as in one body, we have many parts, and all the parts do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually parts of one another.
Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us exercise them: if prophecy, in proportion to the faith; if ministry, in ministering; if one is a teacher, in teaching; if one exhorts, in exhortation; if one contributes, in generosity; if one is over others, with diligence; if one does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Role of Parents in Faith Formation
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) Article 2223
Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues. This requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgment, and self-mastery - the preconditions of all true freedom. Parents should teach their children to subordinate the “material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones.” Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them.
Our Growing In Faith Together (GIFT) Journey (Family Catechesis)
Theme: The Sacraments and Our Christian Journey
Begins September to May (2 Post Session events – May Crowning & Corpus Christi)
GIFT Sessions have been moved to Wednesdays – 6pm – 7:30pm
2 Sessions every month (In Church & At Home)
Materials for At Home Session will be given at the end of the In Church Session
Last Sunday of the Month is Gift Mass
Family Mission Symbol (2 Families will receive the symbols on Sunday to pray with and return the following Sunday to another Family
GIFT Family Project – Families to conduct a work of Mercy (Dates will be given in Sept.)
Sacramental Preparation (New Resource – Accession Press)
1st & 2nd Communion and 1st & 2nd Confirmation Parents meeting (to outline details of the Sacramental Preparation) for those who sign up
Reconciliation – Renewed (Mondays 6:30pm – 7:30pm)
First Communion – Received (Mondays 6:30pm – 7:30pm)
(Faith Formation Continues)
Level 1 Confirmation – Journey to Confirmation Part 1 (Mondays 6:30pm – 8:00pm)
Level 2 Confirmation - Journey to Confirmation Part 2 (Mondays 6:30pm – 8:00pm)
(The Journey to Confirmation begins with a Retreat and ends with a Retreat)
This includes twelve (12) catechetical Sessions plus other practical sessions
Confirmation candidates of each year are required to participate in the Easter Triduum Liturgies (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday Easter Vigil)
Confirmation Candidate Election by the parish will be on Holy Saturday
Mass Attendance (on Sundays and on Holy Days) is a basic requirement for any serious Catholic
Sadly, many families stay away from Mass
Mass will be the first and most important element of GIFT
Bulletin signing will continue
Participation in the Gift Sessions and Sacramental Preparation sessions are mandatory
If a family or a child is to miss a session for a legitimate reason, prior notice should be given
Specific Family Situations should be made known to the Priest
All Information concerning the Gift and Sacramental Preparation process will be communicated to families through constant contact and will be available on the parish website.
CLICK HERE FOR GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER REGISTRATION FORM
