Religious Education Program

Family Formation

We welcome you to Family Formation

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 follows the liturgical cycle.

About the program

There are three (3) components to our program:

Monthly Sessions in Church

  • Students in grades K – 7th grade are required to attend monthly sessions held at St. Francis Xavier.
    • In-Person classes meet once a month at the following times:
      • Sunday 11:10 am – 12:10 pm or
        Monday 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
    • Students are required to attend only the day they are registered for
  • 8th graders will attend monthly confirmation sessions – these students will not attend the RE sessions.  Dates will be provided by Confirmation Coordinators.  Click HERE for Confirmation program info.

Monthly Family Homework

  • Homework will be passed out at each monthly session to be completed by the next session. Homework is for families to complete together.
  • There will be 3 lessons of homework per month. Monthly in-home lessons are designed to take approximately one hour each week.
  • After completion of each lesson there will be a Google form to fill out. You will need to complete one per family only. Google links can be found on the RE Monthly Session Calendar below.

Service Projects

Each family is required to complete (2) service projects.

  • One will be a Corporal Act of Mercy
  • One will be a Spiritual Work of Mercy

At least one project should be in conjunction with St. Francis Xavier Church
The service project is due by April 30, 2026
Once your family has completed the service projects please fill out the Google form below:

Corporal Act of Mercy Form

Spiritual Act of Mercy Form 

See our Parent Handbook for additional info

Monthly Session info (2025-2026)

Topics for the Family Formation program follow the liturgical cycle.

Month Session Homework Completion Form
September

Welcome to Family Formation

Sunday, September 21 11:10am-12:10pm
or
Monday, September 22 6:30pm-7:30pm


October

What Goes Around Comes Around (Overview of the Liturgical Cycle)

Sunday, October 19 11:10am-12:10pm
or
Monday, October 20 6:30pm-7:30pm

November

Living and Dying to Become a Saint

Sunday, November 9 11:10am-12:10pm
or
Monday, November 10 6:30pm-7:30pm

December

Nativity Pageant


Sunday, December 14 11:10am-12:10pm

January

As for me and My House, We will Serve the Lord (Jesus in the Eucharist)

Sunday, January 11 11:10am-12:10pm
or
Monday, January 12 6:30pm-7:30pm

February

Go tell it on the Mountain (Our Baptismal Call)

Sunday, February 8 11:10am-12:10pm
or
Monday, February 9 6:30pm-7:30pm

March

Jesus’ Compassion in His Passion (Stations of the Cross)

Sunday, March 8 11:10am-12:10pm
or
Monday, March 9 6:30pm-7:30pm

April

Our Father, Who Art in Heaven (God, the Father)

Sunday, April 19 11:10am-12:10pm
or
Monday, April 20 6:30pm-7:30pm

May

May Crowning

Sunday, May 3 11:10am-12:10pm

Upcoming Family Formation activities

No Event Found

Service Project info

One project should be a Corporal Act of Mercy which includes:

One project should be a Spiritual Work of Mercy which includes:

At least one project should be in conjuction with St. Francis Xavier Church.

Once your family has completed the service projects please complete the Service Projects form

The service projects are due by April 30, 2026.

Common Questions

Program fees

2025-2026 program fees

Family Formation: $265 per family
*Catechists receive $100 discount

First Communion and Reconciliation additional: $85

Confirmation additional: $85

Registration Info

What is needed to enroll in Religious Education

A Baptismal Certificate for your child
(New Students)

Complete New Parishioner Form
(for new Parishioners)
*Families must be parishioners at St. Francis Xavier

Payment information for registration

Click below to register for 2025-2026 program
Register

Becoming a Catechist

Help our parish community by joining the ranks of catechists making you an active part of the most dynamic aspect of the parish...

Catechist info

  1. Choose to teach on Sunday or Monday
  2. Choose to teach K-3rd grade, 4th-6th grade or help with hospitality
  3. Meet once a month for one hour to go over the monthly lesson
Catechist receive a $100 discount on the RE program fee.

Click below to sign up to be a Catechist for the 2025-2026 program year!
Sign Up


Attendance

Attendance Requirements

Attendance is required each month.

RE meets 9 times throughout the academic year.

Families must attend the day they are registered for. If you are not able to make a session please email Angie Alwood re@sfxjoliet.org

What if I miss a session?

Families that missed a session will have to complete an assignment for each student in grades 1st – 7th...

Makeup Assignment instructions

  1. Log into
  2. Select our parish name: St Francis Xavier Church-IL-60431
  3. Create your family account
  4. Search Littlest Saints for grades 1st - 3rd or The Saints and Heroes Collection for grades 4th-7th grade
  5. Watch one of the Videos on Saints and complete a report using the instructions HERE.
  6. Turn in the report at the next RE session with your student’s First and Last Name and Grade.)
NOTE: If you miss more than 2 sessions in a year, you will have to make up the entire year.

Reach out to our Religious Education staff with additional questions

Angie Alwood

Religious Education Director

Tricia Boese

First Reconciliation & First Communion Coordinator

Kristin & Tim Laszlo

Confirmation Coordinators
Fill out the form below and our staff will get back to you