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 6:20 p.m.
 

Preschool-5th Grade

Catechists (teachers) and children meet at St. Dominic School on Wednesday evenings, from 6:30 p.m.-7:30 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 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 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Our pastor, Fr. Denny Dempsey, presents faith Class 2011-12: The Sacraments, 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 making pizza, 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 20, 2011) and Holy Eucharist (weekend Masses on May 5 & 6, 2012). 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 Thursday, May 10, 2012, at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Faribault, Minnesota.

In addition to meetings in homes of group leaders, the program includes scheduled times of reflection in the Chapel, a retreat, community service projects and social gatherings. 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. 17, 2011, 6:00 p.m., potluck; 7:00 p.m. pageant at the church
• Living Stations of the Cross, Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at St. Dominic School
• May Crowning, Wednesday, May 16, 2012, 6:15-7:30 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

Faith Formation Calendar 2011 2012

Forms

Grade 9 Registration Form 2011-12

Student Questionnaire

Adult Questions

Letter to families 2011-12 revised

Registration Form — 2011_2012

Faith Formation Youth Events

Weekly Events

St. Dominic Children’s Liturgy Cooperative

Children ages 4 through first grade can hear the Children’s Gospel, pray, and learn of God’s love for them in a special setting during the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sundays from October through May. The children go to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel after the opening prayer at Mass and return to take part in the procession at the preparation of the gifts. Children’s Liturgy is made possible through the generosity of volunteer parents with elementary age children.

Middle School

See Middle School Faith Class and Faith Labs above.

High School Youth Group

Monthly social and community service activities for high school youth grades 9-12. Youth gather to enjoy time with friends in a faith-based environment. Activities include hay rides, assisting at Feed My Starving Children, Christmas caroling, sledding, Dakotah! Sports and Fitness day, movie nights, game nights, bonfires, etc.  The schedule of events is posted online at the parish website.

Annual Events

Mission Trip
During the summer for 7-10 days, students who have completed 8th grade through 12th grade sign up to serve the mission field through St. Dominic Church and Youth Works International. It is a wonderful combination of service, prayer and camaraderie. Preparation and fundraising begins in the fall prior to the summer mission trip.  The 2012 mission trip is scheduled for June 15-24 to the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming.  Contact Rick Nelson with questions, 645-8141.

Vacation Bible Camp — VBC
During the summer, for 5 days, Monday through Friday, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., the parish grounds are transformed into a themed faith camp for children ages 4 through 11. Older children and adults from the parish attend as “camp helpers”. Children sing praise and worship songs that carry them through the year, make fun crafts, enjoy outdoor games, watch puppet shows, enjoy snacks and make life-long friends. VBC “On the Road Again with Jesus” will be held in August 2012.