We at Saint Martin de Porres believe that Faith Formation is a life-long process, not just an occasional class that educates us in the mechanics and brief theology of the sacraments, and it is certainly not limited to children. While our Catholic faith is greatly enhanced through the beauty of the ritual of the sacraments, they are only part of who we are as faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Our participation in the sacraments has little effect if we fail to nurture our relationship with Christ, which requires that we spend time getting to know more about Him and His Church. Over the course of the year, we will be offering seven 1 hour long classes geared toward adults, primarily for parents of children enrolled in our Sunday Religious Education program, but open to all who seek a little more information and knowledge of the Catholic faith. These sessions are required for those families who have students preparing for any sacrament during the current year. This model encourages parents to actively engage in becoming the “primary educators of their children in the faith” (GDC, #255).
Our classes for children will be held between our Sunday Masses, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am. Our Mass times will are 8:30 am and 11:00 am. This change in schedule will allow families to attend Mass together, as well as facilitate a unified time for everyone to participate in classes, regardless of age or grade level.
We are very excited about the possibilities this new model has for renewing our faith community. Together, we can bring new energy and excitement to our community, and help “make disciples of all nations.” This is our baptismal call. We sincerely hope that you will find our new model of catechesis both helpful and enjoyable. It is our desire that every person, regardless of where they are on the path of faith, have the opportunity to experience the love and mercy of our Lord and brother, Jesus Christ. We believe that getting to know Him better is the key to understanding the depth of His love for us, and most importantly, sharing that love with others.