Reconciliation
The sacrament of Reconciliation is about the mercy of Jesus Christ. Honestly confessing our sins reconciles us to God and restores us to His grace and intimate friendship. Confession breaks the power of shame and the hurt of sin; it restores and revitalizes our relationships within the community of faith in the life of our Church.
Eucharist
The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. When we faithfully receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, we grow deeper in communion with God and fellowship with one another. Preparation for the sacrament begins in first-grade Religious Education classes and continues through second grade. A child must be in first and second-grade programs to receive Communion in the spring of second grade.
Family Faith Formation Year 1- SEEK & ROOT
SEEK is the first step or pathway on our journey of faith. SEEK is about our life-changing Glory Story- the Biblical journey that mirrors our lives and reveals we are created from love and for love. It’s a drama that unfolds, showing we have been captured by sin and need a redeemer, Jesus Christ, who rescues and saves us from ourselves. Parents, you participate and enjoy fellowship with each other as you encounter our God of love through guided discussions, activities, reflections, and witness stories- all of which serve to equip you to lead and engage your children in meaningful faith experiences at home. Meanwhile, the students are discovering the same Glory Story themes with their peers and the leadership of their classroom catechesis. SEEK typically meets twice a month in the early Fall.
ROOT is a learning experience of our foundational beliefs we profess in the Creed; it is the Church’s reflection of our Glory Story! ROOT follows the SEEK series and begins in the month of November, typically meeting twice a month through the Spring. Parents, you will get to know the Trinity and the essential teachings of our faith contained in the Creed. You will deepen your understanding of what we believe and be empowered to share the essentials of our Catholic faith with your families. At the same time, your children, in a classroom setting, will deepen their understanding of what we believe through hands-on activities and meaningful conversations. What’s more, an at-home “ROOT Box” connects families with the previous on-site learning experience, deepening the family’s knowledge and practice of the faith.
Family Faith Formation Year 2- MEND & NOURISH
MEND is a First Reconciliation preparation journey for families. Families journey deeper in faith to encounter Jesus in the gift of Reconciliation. This Year 2 Pathway of Faith follows Year 1 of SEEK and ROOT. As a MEND faith community, families will typically come together once a month to pray at the 4pm Mass, share in a family friendly supper, followed by a meaningful faith session that grows our love and knowledge of Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation
NOURISH is a First Communion preparation journey for families. NOURISH allows families to journey deeper in faith by preparing to encounter Jesus in the gift of the Eucharist. Families will typically come together once a month to pray at the 4pm Mass, share in a family friendly supper, followed by a meaningful faith session that grows our love and knowledge of Jesus in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. This journey is designed to equip you as parents to teach, share faith, and pray with your children in a manner that deepens your family’s awareness of God’s real presence of love at home, and most intimately, in the celebration of the Eucharist at Mass.
Contact Us
Mary Jo Trapani
Director of Family Faith Formation, Kindergarten – Grade 5 | OCIC
maryjot@olmercy.com
(331) 707-5378
Lydia Schmitt
Individuals with DisABILITIES Coordinator
LydiaS@olmercy.com
(331)707-5377
Karen Schwartz
Administrative Assistant, Family Faith Formation, Grades K-12 | OCIC
karens@olmercy.com
(331) 707-5369
