Family Faith Formation

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” – Matthew 28:19a

What is Family Faith Formation?

Our mission is to make disciples.

And at St. Mary’s, we aim to help the whole family grow as disciples of our Lord!

The family is the first and most important place that we are all called to learn and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Children learn their faith best from their parents & parents learn by sharing with their children.

So, parents of children in their first year of formation are required to attend formation of their own. Some attend one of our kerygmatic retreats, while others attend a weekly Scripture study or ongoing adult formation. Contact the parish office for more details on parent formation opportunities.

Registration

Family Faith Formation Registration is currently closed for the 2025-2026 academic year.

You can add your child to the waiting list using the registration form below:

Registration Form

Formulario de Inscripción

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

All children ages 3-12 can participate in hands-on learning with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based style of catechesis that strives to instill a love of the sacred in each child that comes to the atrium, a seed of our Faith that the Holy Spirit will water and grow.

Parents are welcome to visit the atrium during their child’s catechesis sessions. If you’d like to visit the atrium at another time and learn more about how Catechesis of the Good Shepherd works, participate in forming the children of our parish in the love of the Lord, or support the program in another way, please contact the parish office.

“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people; but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” – Matthew 19:13-14

Sacramental Preparation

Part of our mission of making disciples in Family Faith Formation is to prepare children & teens for the Sacraments of the Eucharist & Confirmation. In the Diocese of Memphis, this formation in particular happens over the course of at least two years.

Preparation for First Holy Eucharist takes place within the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as well as in families’ homes and at St. Mary’s School. We also conduct our Family Retreat before First Holy Communion (in the Easter season), which is where children receive their First Reconciliation.

Preparation for Confirmation happens in 7th and 8th grade in a small-group discipleship format as well as in families’ homes and at St. Mary’s School. We have two retreats children experience along this journey, one in each year.

If your child needs to be prepared for First Eucharist or Confirmation, please register for Family Faith Formation at the link above, or contact the parish office with any questions.