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Children
Parish Christian Formation programs exist
to assist parents in their responsibility of raising their children in
the Catholic faith. The programs are a cooperative effort of the
parents and the parish. Parents and other parishioners volunteer
to serve as Catechists.Christian formation classes meet weekly
from mid-September until early May for children and youth in grades K-12.
Children may enter the Kindergarten class in September of the year in which
they turn five years old by September 30 (that is, when they are eligible
for enrollment in the Virginia Beach public schools.) Thereafter,
their Christian Formation grade ordinarily corresponds to their public
school grade.
Parents desiring to enroll their children
in Christian Formation Programs submit the following:
1.) Parish registration form
2.) Christian Formation registration
form and fees
3.) Copy of baptismal certificate
for each child
When registering their children,
parents are asked to indicate how they will help with the Christian Formation
Programs.
Fees: There is no charge for children
of tithing, ministering parents.
Church of the Holy Family offers many youth
ministry programs and activities for those in grades 6-12. Call the
Parish Office for more details
A Note about Weather-related Cancellation
of
Christian Formation Classes:
During the Winter, if snow or ice forces the
closure of the Virginia Beach Public Schools on a Monday or a Tuesday,
there will be no Christian Formation classes that day. (Please note
that the cancellation of Monday classes will not mean that the Tuesday
classes are canceled unless the Virginia Beach Schools are also closed
on Tuesday.) If there is bad weather on a Sunday, we will try to
notify people during the Masses, with a message on the answering machine
at 481-5702 and, if possible, by phone. |
Catholic School Tuition Subsidy
At the discretion of the pastor, Church
of the Holy Family will pay the difference between in-parish and out-of-parish
tuition for registered members of Church of the Holy Family who wish to
send their children to Star of the Sea School or St. Gregory the Great
School. Parents who wish to take advantage should contact the Pastor
directly.
[ Children
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Adult Formation
| Faith development does not end with school
or Confirmation; it is a life-long process. Church of the Holy Family
offers a variety of adult formation and educational experiences throughout
the year in the form of workshops, retreats, evenings of reflection, lectures
and panels. The bulletin carries notices of dates and topics. |
The Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults
Adults who are interested in joining the
Catholic Church may wish to ask about the Rite of Christian Initiation
of Adults (RCIA). The RCIA is the process by which men and women
determine whether the Catholic faith is the path they wish to follow in
their journey with God. Because the process is ongoing, people begin
whenever the Spirit moves them to inquire. There is no formal "start”.
The RCIA takes place within the context
of the parish community, and after a suitable period of formation, leads
to the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation
and Eucharist).
The process of Christian initiation
is for adults who...
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Want to learn more about the Catholic Church.
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Are unbaptized and want to become Catholic
Christians though the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist.
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Are baptized Christians (in another faith
tradition or Catholic) who want full sacramental membership in the Roman
Catholic Church through Confirmation and Eucharist.
Formation includes four areas:-
Doctrine: what Catholics believe
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Prayer: how we communicate with God
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Liturgy: how the community worships
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Apostolic witness: how we live out what we
believe
