Discipleship Faith Formation (grades 1-12)
About
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Redemptorist Parish warmly welcomes students from elementary through high school who attend public or other non-Catholic schools to participate in our enriching discipleship faith formation classes. These classes are thoughtfully designed to provide in-depth guidance and preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. Our dedicated catechists are committed to nurturing each student's spiritual growth and understanding, fostering a deep connection to their faith, and guiding them toward a meaningful experience of the Sacraments.How we will serve you
We are joyfully committed to standing alongside you in the vital responsibility of nurturing and guiding your children in the practice of their faith, a sacred commitment that you embraced when you presented them for baptism.Faith formation is a lifelong journey. It encompasses a holistic parish experience, involving not only your child but also engaging parents, families, dedicated catechists, and supportive priests who collectively form our parish faith community. We believe in walking this lifelong faith journey together, in unity and support, as a community of believers.Our Mission
At Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Faith Formation Ministry, we are dedicated to assisting parents in the essential task of transmitting the teachings of the Catholic and Apostolic Faith to their children. We achieve this by providing a structured curriculum and discipleship process that builds a strong foundation of Faith, helping prepare and celebrate Sacraments and accompanying them in their journey to become lifelong missionary disciples of Jesus Christ.Who should attend Discipleship Faith Formation classes and when?
- Classes are offered by a loving group of faithful and dedicated volunteers for elementary through 12th grade public, non-Catholic schools, and homeschool students.
- Classes will be held in the Garden Room from September 15, 2024 through May 25, 2025. Students must attend the 9:30 AM Mass on Sundays before attending classes at 10:30 AM. Please see the Formation Calendar for more details.
Sacrament Preparation
- Sacramental preparation is offered following the guidelines of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Children must be enrolled in the Parish’s Discipleship Faith Formation process and are expected to attend grades 1-12.
- Children requiring the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion begin preparation in first grade, and readiness to receive the Sacrament is determined in the second year of preparation. Children in older grades will receive religious instruction in classes at their grade level and will receive the Sacrament when readiness is determined.
- According to the guidelines of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, the new faith formation education program "The Way" will prepare students for the Sacrament of Confirmation starting in 5th grade, and the Sacrament will be received in 6th grade. Enrollment in the parish Discipleship Faith Formation process is required.
Visit here for a printable brochure about the DFF program.
The Way Initiative
All the parishes and schools in the diocese must implement “The Way” within the next three years. After much discussion and discernment, we have decided how to implement this process at Our Lady of Perpetual Help.Religious Education is not about taking classes so a person can receive the Sacraments. Yes, a person is prepared to receive the Sacraments, which are very important. However, Religious Education also prepares a person to be a lifelong disciple of Christ. In other words, a person is supposed to live their Catholic faith every day because of the strength and grace they receive through the Sacraments. Therefore, we have changed the name of our Religious Education process to Discipleship Faith Formation.Learn more about The Way from The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.The Way Initiative: Proposal Implementation at OLPH | |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | First Communion Year 1 |
| Good Shepherd Year Goal: children will be prepared for First Reconciliation | |
| Grade 2 | First Communion Year 2 |
| Holy Eucharist Year Goal: children will be prepared for First Communion | |
| Grade 3 | Holy Family Year Goal: do-it-yourself family retreat First half-year |
| Grade 4 | Ten Commandments Year Goal: children and parents will be equipped to live the Ten Commandments Second half-year |
| Grade 5 | Confirmation Year 1 - Diocesan Retreat |
| Call to Holiness Year Goal: children will understand Catholic doctrine and Sacraments | |
| Grade 6 | Confirmation Year 2 |
| Holy Spirit Year Goal: children will be prepared for Confirmation | |
| Evangelization Sunday | |
| When | Last Sunday of the month from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Goals | Kerygma and cultivating a missionary discipleship process through the Redemptorist Charisma Building a Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) and Youth Ministry |
| Redemptorist GIFT (Gathering In Faith Together) | |
| When | First Tuesday of the month starting with Mass at 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM |
| Goals | Involvement of parents in their children's ongoing Christian education and spiritual growth. At the same time, we contribute to the ongoing spiritual development of parents and a sense of community of faith. |
Meet Our Formation Team
| Pastor |
|---|
| Rev. Donald Berry Willard, C.Ss.R 816.561.3771 ext. 237 pastor@olphkc.org |
| Pastoral Associate |
| Edith Montes-Jankowski 816.561.3771 ext. 256 faithformation@olphkc.org |
| Catechesis Committee |
|---|
| Chris Acosta Elementary Grade LevelAmy Acosta Middle and High School Grade LevelJim Stanley OCIA for adults and OCIC for children |