Faith Formation
Faith Formation provides religious instruction and faith activities for the young people of our parish.
Weekly religious instruction is presented to public school children and youth from preschool through grade 10. Faith activities are faith-based learning events and/or leisure activities for all youth parishioners in elementary, middle school and high school.
Through instruction and activities, we seek to support and encourage students, to help them see themselves through the eyes of a loving God, in a comfortable, friendly and safe environment. The Faith Formation team accomplishes this mission through the work of parish staff members, the service of many dedicated volunteers and the commitment of faithful parents and students.
Our program promotes a close relationship with God through the gifts of His presence in scripture, sacraments, and people; and offers a Catholic information blueprint for our youth to use as they build their faith through adulthood. Instruction and events for young people are based on Holy Scripture and Catholic Doctrine handed down by the Holy See and the Catholic Magisterium.
Faith Instruction
Wednesday Night Dinner
Dinner is served at O’Gara Social Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 6:10 p.m.
Preschool-5th Grade
Catechists (teachers) and children meet at St. Dominic School on Wednesday evenings, from 6:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m., from September to May. Structure of Learning is as follows:
- Preschool — Old and New Testament Bible Stories
- Kindergarten — Old and New Testament Bible Stories
- First Grade — Prayer: Our Conversations with God
- Second Grade — Sacramental Preparation for Reconciliation and First Holy Eucharist
- Third Grade — Life in the Church: Liturgical Seasons and The Saints
- Fourth Grade — The Bible: Listening and Responding to God
- Fifth Grade — The Mass and Those Who Serve in the Mass (Servers, Lectors, Greeters, the Priest, Ushers, etc.)
Middle School (Grades 6-7-8)
Middle School Faith Class and Faith Labs: Small groups of 6-8 students with high school and/or adult mentors participate in faith instruction and activities held in the lower level meeting room of the church from 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Our pastor, Fr. Denny Dempsey, presents faith Class 2012-13: “Gracebook” (The Bible), on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Middle School Youth Group Coordinators Jen and Mike Wallin host Faith Labs, themed activities on the sacraments, on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Types of activities for Faith Labs include game nights, movie nights, community service, etc.
First Reconciliation and First Communion
St. Dominic Faith Formation Program and St. Dominic School children in grade 2 prepare to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 18, 2012) and Holy Eucharist (weekend Masses on May 4 & 5, 2013). Classroom meetings for students as well as special sessions for students and their parents are a part of the interactive learning experience of sacramental preparation.
Older students who have not received these sacraments are encouraged to participate in the program at their grade level with additional, individualized sacramental preparation arranged through the Director of Faith Formation.
Confirmation Preparation
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year program of spiritual formation and study of the Catholic faith beginning in the fall of 9th grade, leading toward Confirmation in the spring of the 10th grade year. Confirmation this year will be on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, St. Paul, MN
Students participate in the life of the church through Sunday Mass attendance, small and large group gatherings, community service, scheduled chapel visits, and retreats. The emphasis is not placed so much on receiving the sacrament as to enabling students to live their sacramental commitment after being confirmed.
Special Celebrations
St. Dominic Faith Formation plans and presents the following special celebrations to which all parishioners are invited:
- Christmas Pageant and potluck dinner, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, 6:00 p.m., potluck; 7:00 p.m. pageant at the church
- Living Stations of the Cross, Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 6:15-7:15 p.m. at St. Dominic School
- May Crowning, Wednesday, May 8, 2013, 5:15-7:15 p.m. Rosary, May crowning, Mass, picnic dinner, at the church.
Contact
Mara Mangan, Director of Faith Formation, (507) 645-8816 ext. 205 or
e-mail
Calendar
Calendar 2012-13 Pre – Grade 8
Confirmation groups meet in homes or on church grounds at varying times on Sunday or Wednesday. Please make sure you are following the calendar appropriate for your group.