Family Faith Formation

GUARDIAN ANGELS • IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY • ST. JOHN FISHER

Your responsibility for the formation of faith in your family is an important and cherished role you hold. While you are the primary catechist, our desire at St. Gregory the Great is to support you through your and your family's journey. After careful consideration of the family survey results and the updated Archdiocesan requirements, we are excited to share the dates, details, and registration link for our 2025-26 Saint Gregory the Great Faith Formation options. Each option is offered as an opportunity for families to grow in faith together. We strive to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to life by exploring our faith through study of our Catholic core beliefs, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Scripture, Sacraments, Saints, Prayer, and through practical application activities based on these teachings.

GRADES K-6 FAMILY FAITH FORMATION

All three options rely on the involvement of parents through faith formation, shared reflections, and faith conversations. Each option also uses the same Graded Course of Study, Christ In Us, by Sadlier Inc., as designed by the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.  This is a spiral curriculum that focuses on the most essential teachings of our Catholic faith, going deeper at each grade level.

Our goal is to engage students and their families in lively discussions and activities as we aim to go beyond a typical classroom model. Recognizing that everyone learns differently, and everyone’s schedules allow for availability at different times according to different seasons of life, we are excited to offer our Saint Gregory the Great families the following options for 2025-26.

Option 1
GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER (GRADES KINDERGARTEN TO 6TH)
Saint Gregory the Great children and parents meet bi-monthly on designated Sundays (10:30am-12:00pm) at IHM, beginning in October, for the Family Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) Gatherings. At least one parent is required to attend the gatherings with the child(ren). If you choose this option, the formal formation for your child in grades 1-6 will take place during our gatherings in the classroom with a catechist, while parents are in a separate learning session. The family will then come together for an activity related to the topic of the day. Homework will be required only if your family misses a gathering. Gathering dates for 2025-26: Oct. 5, Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Nov. 23, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Jan 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 8, Mar. 29 Please add all dates to your calendar now so that you don’t miss anything.

Option 2
WEEKLY PLUS (GRADES KINDERGARTEN TO 6TH)
Saint Gregory the Great children in grades K-6 meet weekly on Sundays (8:30am -9:45am) at GA, from September through April, for catechist led classes within grade level groupings for learning and experiential activities. *Parents attend the following special five classes with their children: Oct. 26th, Nov. 23rd, Dec. 14th, Feb. 8th, and Mar. 29th. On these dates only, the formal formation for your child will take place in the classroom with a catechist, while parents are in a separate learning session. The family will then come together for an activity related to the topic of the day. Makeup work will be required only if your child misses a class.

Option 3
SUMMER PLUS (Grades 1ST -6TH)
Saint Gregory the Great children in grades 1-6 meet on campus at Saint John Fisher within grade level groupings (9:00am-1:30pm) for their choice of one of the following one-week sessions in the summer to enjoy catechist led classes within a camp-like experience, including Mass, arts and crafts, praise and worship, singing and dancing.

June 9-13, 2025 or July 7-11, 2025
PARENT SESSIONS: Parents and children gather on IHM’s campus an additional five times throughout the school year on the following Sundays from 10:30am-12:00pm at IHM or on GA’s campus on the same Sundays from 8:30am-9:45am (parents may choose either time/location): Oct. 26th, Nov. 23rd, Dec. 14th, Feb. 8th, and Mar. 29th. On these special dates, the formal formation for your child will take place in the classroom with a catechist, while parents are in a separate learning session. The family will then come together for an activity related to the topic of the day.

Please note:
Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion will take place within the second-grade year of each of these programs. In addition, there will be a parent meeting and retreat for each of the sacraments.

7th & 8th Grade Family Faith Formation
Saint Gregory the Great 7TH Grade Family Faith Formation will focus on preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. The students will meet on designated Sundays* from 10:30am-12:30pm in the Youth Room on IHM’s campus between September and April. We will review key tenets of our Catholic faith, as well as plan, execute, or review various discipleship activities. In addition, there will be a retreat, a Confirmation rehearsal, and monthly (1 hr) parent/sponsor meetings throughout the year. Gathering dates for 2025-26: Sundays – Sept. 21, Oct. 5, Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Nov. 23, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Jan. 11, Jan 25, Feb. 8, Feb. 22, Mar. 8, Mar. 29, and Apr. 12. Parent / Sponsor meeting dates: Wednesdays – Sept. 17, Oct. 15, Nov. 19, Dec. 17, Jan. 14, Feb. 18, Mar. 18, and Apr. 15 from 7-8pm.
Saint Gregory the Great 8TH Graders will have the opportunity to participate in a new program that facilitates the fine tuning of key life skills: communicating, relationship-building, decision-making, generating and managing income, strategic planning, health and wellness management, time management, and developing discipline, all with a Christian mindset. We will meet monthly from September through April as a group on the first Wednesday of the month from 7:00pm-8:30pm in the Youth Room on IHM’s campus; and then once more for 20-30 mins each month during the 3rd weeks (times and locations TBD) in a 1:1 meeting with a teen life coach.
Please read over the options and prayerfully consider which best fits your family's needs and desires for the faith formation of your children. We are honored to walk this journey with your family and are very excited to share the 2025-26 season of SGG Faith Formation with you!

If you have questions for our team, please ask us here:

Family Faith Formation

GUARDIANANGELS

IMMACULATEHEART OF MARY

ST. JOHN FISHER

GUARDIAN
ANGELS

IMMACULATE
HEART OF MARY

ST. JOHN
FISHER