At the Concord-Carlisle Collaborative, we view Faith Formation as a parish-wide mission involving children, parents, families, catechists, faith formation leaders, and clergy—together forming a community of faith. Faith Formation is, first and foremost, about encountering the person of Jesus Christ and learning what it means to follow Him in the Catholic tradition.
Our ministry integrates learning, catechesis, prayer, sacramental preparation, Catholic doctrine, Scripture study, liturgy, community building, and the many other dimensions of vibrant parish life. In the light of faith, we strive to foster in those entrusted to our care a deeper relationship with God.
Dear Parents,
At your child’s baptism, the Church prayed for you with these words:
“God is the giver of all life, human and divine. May He bless the fathers and mothers of these children. With their spouses, they will be the first teachers of their children in the ways of faith. May they also be the best teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what they say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
It is our joy and privilege to support you in this sacred responsibility. Our role is to assist you in teaching your children to walk in the ways of faith. This is accomplished when each family places Jesus Christ and His teachings at the center of daily life through participation at Sunday Mass, family prayer, and Christian witness.
We especially encourage your family’s participation in the Family Masses, which will be led by our children at various points during the formation year. Please make Sunday Mass a regular part of your child’s life. Participation in the Eucharist is the heart of our Catholic faith and an essential part of faith formation.
We look forward to working together with you—praying, planning, and supporting one another—as we strive to pass on Catholic Christian values to our children in today’s world.
We hope this handbook will guide us in our shared mission. May God bless us in the work of Christian formation carried out in His name.
Sincerely in Christ,
Holy Family–St. Irene Collaborative Formation Team