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Faith Formation

Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace offers opportunities for lifelong faith formation.
As programs are developed, they will be added to this page, announced in the bulletin, and publicized in flyers.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please call the Office of Faith Formation,
(727) 896-2191, extension 207


 

Wednesday Small Group Faith Study 

Have you ever wanted to take a closer look at Catholic teachings and beliefs?
Do you want a way to meet other parishioners who are thirsty for Christian community and learning? 
Join us on Wednesday mornings this Fall for a discussion of various Catholic topics.
We will read a Catholic Update each week (only 4 pages long) and gather weekly for refreshments and lively discussion.

Cost: $8 to cover the cost of materials.
Where: Saint Mary Parish Hall
When: Wednesday Mornings, September 6 through October 24, 2023, 10 – 11:30 AM
Who: All adults of the parish are invited, but you must register in advance before August 28.  Jen Ehrhart and Claudia McIvor will facilitate the discussions.
What else? Coffee and water will be provided. We will sign up for snacks after the first session.
For more information or to register, send your name, phone number and email address to:  [email protected]   Please register before August 28. Your materials fee will be collected at the first session. 

God Stories 9/6
Ten Peak Moments in Church History 9/13
Infallibility 9/20
Stages of Faith Development 9/27
Why Me? Scriptural Answers to Suffering 10/4
Stewardship 10/11
Eucharistic Adoration 10/18
Sacred Symbols and Invitation to Prayer 10/25


Saturday Bible Study

Our Saturday Bible Study is held from 10 - 11:30 AM in the Parish Ccenter.
Please contact our leader, Theresa Pacuicrk, for more information or to register for a study.
[email protected]  
727-470-1671

Below is the upcoming schedule for 2023

July 22 - Aug 26:  Praying the Liturgy of the Hours and practicing journaling with the Hallow app, 6 weeks

July 30, SUNDAY: Eucharist Part II, after the 11:00 Mass (all parishioners invited to this event)

Sept 2 - Nov 4:  "What We Believe" by Ascension Press, 10 weeks. Register in advance and purchase materials online. 

Nov 11 - Nov 25:  NO STUDY, 3 weeks. Thanksgiving time. 

Dec 2 - Dec 30:  Advent study using Catholic Updates, 5 weeks.

 We will begin on Saturday, July 22, our practice with praying the Liturgy of the Hours and journaling. I was able to find the journaling sessions on Hallow and will play them for everyone each Saturday. This will end with the last session on August 26th.
 
Then, on September 2nd through November 4th, we will offer the Ascension study "What We Believe". This will be opened to the parish so we may see some new faces!
 
We will then take a break through the end of November as time off to relax before and during the Thanksgiving holiday.
 
To finish out the year, we will use Catholic Updates and study Advent through December and the Christmas season. 

 


The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (Formerly the RCIA) is the process of prayer, preparation and sacrament by which we welcome new members to our Church. If you have not been baptized, this is for you! We also invite anyone who has been baptized in another faith tradition and would like to prepare for First Communion and Confirmation in the Catholic faith to contact us. The RCIA is available for both adults and children over the age of 8.

Participants meet on Sunday afternoons, 12:15 - 2:00 PM. We meet live in the parish center, and we ask that you bring your own lunch or snack to enjoy during our social time. We provide coffee, fellowship, prayer, teaching and discussion!

 

 

If you are ready to register, please download the form below and send it to Claudia at [email protected] . If you are unable to download, just call the office and we will take the information over the phone. M-Th, 9 am - 3 pm (727) 896-2191, extension 207.

Registration Form 

Children in the Initiation Ministry- If you have a child who is over age 6 and unbaptized, or who is baptized in another Christian faith tradition, and you would like that child to be received into the Catholic Church, please call us to discuss how this is done. M-Th, 9 am - 3 pm (727) 896-2191, extension 207.


Baptism of Infants and Children

 Congratulations on your decision to have your child baptized at Saint Mary's. 

There is a lot of preparation that goes into a baptism! Please contact us six months in advance so we can complete the necessary steps and schedule your child's baptism at a mutually convenient time. 

  • Parents must be registered and active members of Saint Mary's Church for at least 6 months.
  • Complete the Baptism Registration Form
  • Submit the Godparent Eligibility Form for qualified godparents at least one month before the Baptism.
  • Attend the Parent/Godparent preparation class (live or online) Parents are required to attend. Godparents are welcome but not required.

Please call to register for a Baptism Parent Preparation class, 727-896-2191, extension 207

 


Children's Faith Formation Information 

 

 

Learning about the Catholic faith and coming to be in relationship with Jesus through the Church is a lifelong adventure. Our Faith Formation program at Saint Mary Our Lady of Grace is a home-based intergenerational program using the "A Family of Faith" materials published by Sophia Institute. The handbook, required forms and schedule for 2023-24 can be downloaded below. We accept children from Kindergarten through eighth grade. If you have an older child who needs Faith Formation or Confirmation, please contact our office to discuss alternatives. This year we will use the Sophia Institute "A Family of Faith" Volume 2 materials for all ages, and the focus this year for all grade is the Sacraments. This is a family based program and an adult must agree to instruct the child at home during the month. Then both parents and students come to the Church once a month for intergenerational activities. 

By diocesan rules, children must complete two consecutive years in Faith Formation before they are eligible for Sacramental Preparation for First Holy Communion or Confirmation.

CLASSES BEING ON SEPTEMBER 18 WITH A MANDATORY SAFE ENVIRONMENT/CIRCLE OF GRACE PRESENTATION FOR ALL AGES.

DOWNLOAD the HANDBOOK which includes all forms that must be submitted for registeration by September 1, 2023. It also includes instructions on how to order materials.
If you are unable to download and print the forms, please contact Claudia at the office for assistance.

Diocesan Policy for the Protection of Children and Young People 

Schedule for 2023-2024 Intergenerational sessions and activities:

DATE

TIME

Activity

Other topics

Sunday Sept. 10, 2023

9:30 – 10:30

Circle of Grace - required Safe Environment class

Introduction to materials 
The Sacraments

Saturday, September 30, 2023

10:00

Blessing of the Animals in the church parking lot

Please bring your family pet AND a donation of cat or dog food for Daystar.

Sunday, October 8, 2023

9:30 - 10:30

Review the materials with parents and make up Safe Environment

Bring the whole family. 

Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023

9:30 – 10:30

Distribution of Advent Packets

St. Catherine of Alexandria,

Baptism

Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023

9:30 – 10:30

Blessing Bags for the Poor – all hands on deck to pack up donations for the poor

Saint Stephen, Confirmation

Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024

9:30 – 10:30

TBD

Eucharist

Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024

9:00 – 10:30

Distribution of Lent packets

St. Mary Magdalene,

Reconciliation

Sunday, March 10, 2024

9:00 – 10:30

 TBD

St. Bernadette Soubirous, Triduum, Anointing of the Sick

Sunday, April 14, 2024

9:00 – 10:30

ARK ASSESSMENT - Students will be tested on religious knowledge

Matrimony, Holy Orders

Sunday, May 5, 2024

10 AM 

Final Celebration / May Crowning

Parking Lot

 

Please direct any questions to:
Claudia McIvor
Director of Faith Formation
(727) 896-2191, ext. 207