Family Formation

Welcome to St. Francis Xavier’s Family Formation Religious Education Program

Family Formation is a Religious Education program that engages both the parents and the children in the family.

Children are more likely to put into practice the faith they see lived out day-to-day at home.

The Family Formation program serves students from Pre K-8th grade and follows the liturgical cycle.


Monthly Sessions at Church

For the 2023-2024 year children in Pre K-8th grade will attend monthly sessions held in the church and rectory basements.

  • Families can choose to attend on a Sunday after the 10am Mass (11:15 am-12:15 pm) or a Monday evening (6:30-7:30 pm).
  • We will begin each session in the Church.
  • Children will then go with their catechists to their classroom to learn about the current month’s lessons. Grades Pre K-6th will go to the church basement while grades 7-8 will go to the rectory basement.
  • Parents will remain in the Church for a parent lesson.

Materials for monthly homework will be handed out at the monthly sessions.

Students are required to attend each monthly session.

photo of planner and writing materials

Religious Education Calendar Monthly Sessions 2023-2024

MonthSession
SeptemberSunday, September 24 11:15am-12:15pm
or
Monday, September 25 6:30pm-7:30pm
OctoberSunday, October 22 11:15am-12:15pm
or
Monday, October 23 6:30pm-7:30pm
NovemberSunday, November 12 11:15am-12:15pm
or
Monday, November 13 6:30pm-7:30pm
DecemberSunday, December 17 11:15am-12:15pm
JanuarySunday, January 21 11:15am-12:15pm
or
Monday, January 22 6:30pm-7:30pm
FebruarySunday, February 11 11:15am-12:15pm
or
Monday, February 12 6:30pm-7:30pm
MarchSunday, March 17 11:15am-12:15pm
or
Monday, March 18 6:30pm-7:30pm
AprilSunday, April 21 11:15am-12:15pm
or
Monday, April 22 6:30pm-7:30pm
MaySunday, May 19 11:15am-12:15pm

Monthly Homework

a girl showing her homework to her parents

Materials for monthly homework will be handed out at the monthly church sessions.

All work should be completed before attending the next session.

Monthly homework can be done as a family for grades 1-8.

Monthly in-home lessons are designed to take approximately one hour each week.


Service Projects

This year we will be bringing back our (2) service projects per family.

One will be a Corporal Act of Mercy:

  • Feed the hungry
  • Give drink to the thirsty
  • Clothe the naked
  • Shelter the homeless
  • Visit the sick
  • Bury the dead

One will be a Spiritual Work of Mercy:

  • Instruct the ignorant
  • Counsel the doubtful
  • Admonish the sinner
  • Forgive injuries
  • Comfort the sorrowful
  • Bear Wrongs Patiently
  • Pray for the living and the dead

Once your family has completed the service projects please fill out the google form below:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNMSMF3zq9su8C9KqouhtQzDqT703SbB57Qg0MFCcoHXgdbA/viewform?usp=pp_url

The service projects are due by April 30, 2024.


FAQs

Do I need to attend both sessions offered per month?

No, when you register for the program you will select if you will be attending the Sunday or Monday session.

If I register on the Sunday sessions, can I attend a Monday session if my family isn’t available on a Sunday?

Yes, you can attend the Monday session is you are not available on Sunday or you can attend the Sunday session if you are not available on that Monday. Please let us know if you have to switch days throughout the year by sending us an e-mail to RE@sfxjoliet.org.

What if I miss a monthly session?

If you have to miss a session there is a special assignment on Saints to be completed by each child in grades 1-8 and turned in to receive credit for that session…

  • Select and watch one of the Formed videos on a Saint of your choice:
    NOTE: You will need to log into Formed to watch the videos. No account? SFX provides a complimentary subscription to each family. To redeem your complementary subscription go to signup.formed.org. Create a new account using our parish info: St Francis Xavier Church – IL – 60431.
  • Write a report on your chosen Saint using the directions HERE.
  • Make sure to write the student’s full name and grade on the report and turn in at the next month’s RE session.

What if I miss more than two sessions?

If this happens you will need to make up the entire year.

What is the cost of the program

Tuition cost is $250 per family. Catechists receive a $100 discount.

If a child is preparing to receive sacraments, additional fees are as follows:
– First Reconciliation & First Communion: $85
– Confirmation: $65

What if I have additional questions about the program?

Please e-mail RE@sfxjoliet.org


Ready to register? Please e-mail RE@sfxjoliet.org