Please review the following descriptions before selecting the Family Faith Formation options below for your child(ren).
SEEK & ROOT
Explore our Glory Story & Core Beliefs as a Catholic Family
If this is your child(ren)’s first year in Family Faith Formation, select SEEK and ROOT. This allows families to experience our “Glory Story” of faith and the core beliefs of our faith tradition that flow from this Biblical story.
This is also the first year of First Holy Communion/Eucharist Sacramental Prep. The U.S. Bishops have stated this should be a 2-year program. Seek/Root is the first year, then Mend/Nourish will be the second year.
SEEK & ROOT meets two Sundays a month, at 11:15-12:30 (after the 10am Mass).
Find more information at: https://olmercy.com/family-faith-formation-k-5
MEND & NOURISH
Encounter Jesus in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion
Families with Students entering Grade 2 – Grade 5 who Completed at Least One Year of Faith Formation and Need Sacraments. If your child(ren) grade 2 – grade 5, have already received a full year of faith formation and need to prepare for the Sacraments of Reconciliation or Holy Communion, please select MEND and NOURISH this year, (anticipating SEEK & ROOT next year).
MEND & NOURISH meet on Saturday 4:00-6:45pm (Includes 4pm Mass & Family Friendly Supper).
Find more information at: https://olmercy.com/family-faith-formation-k-5
MISSION READY ~ Saint in Action
Families will become Mission Ready and Learn & Lead to put Faith into Action
Families with Students in Elementary Grades who have completed SEEK/ROOT and MEND/NOURISH are encouraged to enroll in MISSION READY, as well as those families who completed SEEK/ROOT, but have children too young to begin their Sacramental preparation with MEND/NOURISH.
You are welcome to enroll in MISSION READY, even if you are enrolled in another program. Students of all ages are welcome.
MISSION READY meets twice a month on Sunday at 9:05-9:55am and includes three additional Faith Events.
Find more information at: https://olmercy.com/family-faith-formation-k-5
Students Age 7-17 Needing Sacrament of Baptism
Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC)
If you have a youth between the age of 7 years and 17 years, and they need to prepare for the Sacrament of Baptism, then they take Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC). OCIC is a two-year Sacramental Prep program (Year 1 and Year 2) that meets one Wednesday evening a month, 7-8:30pm (If this Wednesday evenings is impossible please contact formation office). You should select Select ‘OCIC Year 1 (7-17yrs)’.
*Note: Students Grades 1-5 should also enroll in Seek & Root, Middle School students should also enroll in EDGE, and High School students should also enroll in CHOSEN Year 1.
Find more information at: https://olmercy.com/ocic
Students in Grade 6 – Age 17 Needing Sacraments of 1st Reconciliation / 1st Holy Communion
First Reconciliation and First Communion (Grade 6 – Age 17)
It is a two-year Sacramental Prep program to receive the sacraments of 1st Reconciliation / 1st Holy Communion. If you have a youth entering grade 6 – age 17, and they need to prepare for the Sacraments of 1st Reconciliation and/or 1st Holy Communion, then their first year of Sacramental Prep will be:
- Grades 6-8, select EDGE
- Grades 9-12, select CHOSEN Year 1
Students in Grade 6 – 8
EDGE Program
EDGE is a Catholic middle school youth ministry experience created for early adolescents in grades six, seven and eight. EDGE is designed to meet the educational, spiritual, emotional, and social needs of young adolescents. Kids are always welcomed and encouraged to invite their friends to the EDGE. Students in grades 6, 7 and 8 will participate in the EDGE program starting in September and going until April. Topics will be presented to educate about the Christian Catholic faith and challenge the student to grow in a relationship with Christ. There will be large and small group activities. EDGE generally meets twice a month on Monday evenings.
Find more information at: https://olmercy.com/middle-school-faith-formation
Students in Grade 9 -12
CHOSEN: Sacrament of Confirmation Program
The CHOSEN program is designed to nourish and strengthen our high school teens on the journey towards the sacrament of Confirmation. CHOSEN is a two-year process (Year 1 and Year 2) where teens will meet 12 times each year on a Sunday morning (8:30-10:00am) or will meet 12 times on a Sunday evening (6:45-8:15pm) to explore the Catholic faith and prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Teens will also participate in a Search Retreat (Year 1) and Discovery Retreat (Year 2) as well as various service/discipleship projects to put their faith into action and worship events to grow closer to Jesus. Note: Students must successfully complete Chosen Year 1 before registering for Chosen Year 2.
Find more information at: https://olmercy.com/high-school-faith-formation
Persons Grade K-6 with Disabilities/ Special Needs
REACH Faith Formation Program
REACH is offered to individuals with special needs who are in grades K-6. The program follows the Loyola Press Finding God Adaptive Curriculum and meets September through April, two Sundays a month from 8:30-9:45AM, with additional opportunities throughout the year to gather and socialize. Students are grouped based on age and/or ability. Our catechists are trained and range in experience with accompanying individuals with special needs through Special Education, Social Work, parenting a child with a disability and more! REACH Formation meets twice a month on Sunday mornings.
Find more information at: https://olmercy.com/reach
Persons Grade 2 and older with Disabilities/ Special Needs
REACH Sacramental Preparation Program
REACH Sacramental Preparation is for individuals with special needs ages Grade 2 and older. We provide sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation using the Adaptive Sacramental Prep Kits by Loyola Press. Scheduling is flexible and based on the needs of those in the REACH program. When possible, a small group of students is formed for sacramental preparation, with the goal that they may journey together toward receiving their sacraments. However, under certain circumstances, 1:1 formation is also available.
Faith Buddies
REACH Faith Buddies Program
“Faith Buddies” connects children with disABILITIES with a peer in our parish! Faith Buddies is offered for individuals with disABILITIES ages 5 and older. Each individual is paired with a peer from our parish community. Together they meet one Sunday each month Spring (April, May, June) and Fall (September, October, November) at the Mass, followed by a social gathering in our Parish Life Center. After the Mass, each social gathering will last approximately one hour. Individuals with disABILITIES and their peers will be accompanied by a trained adult supervisor. Parents are welcome to stay on-site for coffee and fellowship with other parents. Registration is required so we may plan to welcome you!
Find more information at: https://olmercy.com/reach