Faith Formation
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School
June 24th - June 28th 8:30 - 12:00
Register Here!
Registration fee is $20 for your first child and $10 for any additional child.
Checks can be made out to Notre Dame Catholic Parish
OR
Click here to pay online
(Vacation Bible School can be found at the bottom of the page)
Questions? Contact Jim at 303-742-2351 or jknowles@denvernotredame.org
CHILDRENS’ FAITH FORMATION (PRE K-8)
Faith Formation for Children Pre K – 8
Notre Dame Catholic Parish strives to help and guide parishioners of all ages to understand their faith and grow in personal relationship with God.
Our classes meet on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:45 p.m. from September through May.
Our classes are taught by our certified catechists, whose ministry it is to help parents and guardians form their children in the faith. They work hard to ensure that the children of Notre Dame are receiving the very best formation possible. Each of our volunteers has been through the Archdiocese of Denver’s Safe Environment training program. Parents and guardians are invited to attend classes with their children.
Faith Formation Programs for the First Sacraments
The Faith Formation program also includes formation for those in the 3rd grade and up, to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion. Parents and children together study the sacraments and so prepare the children at home to receive them. For more information on this program, please check the Sacramental Preparation.
Preparing for Your Child’s First Sacraments
What is necessary for a child to receive the first sacraments?
The sacramental preparation program at Notre Dame Parish is designed to help children receive the preparation they need in order to properly and reverently receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion. Several years ago, the Archbishop of Denver “restored the order” of the sacraments of initiation and of Reconciliation. This dropped the age of confirmation from high school to 3rd grade and raised the age of First Communion from 2nd grade to 3rd. (For more information from the Archdiocese of Denver) Now, all children in 3rd grade or above are invited to be prepared for these sacraments.
While some emphasis on these sacraments will be given in the third grade, it is not possible to adequately prepare children to receive these sacraments in limited classroom settings. Materials, workbooks, and assistance will be provided to parents so that they may walk with their children who are preparing to receive the sacraments.
All children being prepared to receive these sacraments will be spiritually nourished and guided towards being a friend of Jesus Christ, prepared to receive the sacraments, and practicing the faith.
Sunday Mass
Catechesis on Wednesdays will include a discussion of the readings, homilies, and Mass the preceding Sunday. Children in grades 5-8 are invited to be altar servers. Parents are invited to become greeters, lectors, and/or extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion.
First Sacraments
Adult Formation
The Paradigm of all Faith Formation
Faith formation is an ongoing, life-long task of a Christian disciple. We are never finished. There is always deeper we can go in our relationship with Christ.
There are opportunities for adult faith formation and catechesis at Notre Dame Parish. These classes include Bible Study during the Advent and Lenten seasons and other classes sponsored by the Archdiocese. Notre Dame has an account on Formed, an online platform featuring the best Catholic content. To sign up at no cost, click on the button below and type in 80219 to find Notre Dame.
Becoming Catholic
Jesus died on the cross that all his followers “may be one” (John 17:21). He invites everyone into the church, and in his name we welcome everyone who comes. The process by which adults come into full membership in the church is known as the “RCIA,” which is short for “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.” “RCIC,” or “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Children,” is the analogous process for children between the ages of 7 and 12. “RCIT” or “The Rite of Christian Initiation of Teens,” is for teenagers from the ages of 13-18.
For Whom is the Process?
The unbaptized. The primary focus of the RCIA/RCIT/RCIC is on those who are not baptized, not yet Christian, and/or who have not been raised in the Christian faith.
Baptized but unformed Christians. The RCIA/RCIT/RCIC process is also for those who have been baptized Roman Catholic or as members of another Christian community but who were not raised and/or formed in the Christian faith.
Those seeking full communion with Jesus in the Catholic Church. These are baptized, practicing Christians from other denominations who seek full communion with the Catholic Church.
RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children) ages 7-12.
RCIT (Rite of Christian Initiation of Teens) ages 13-18.
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) 19 and above.
Looking to volunteer with RCIA?
Contact Jim Knowles at 303.742.2351 or jknowles@denvernotredame.org for more information and/or to sign up.
Catechist and catechist’s aide — Catechists and aides witness and teach their faith to others, especially helping in our children’s faith formation program. The most important qualities for a catechist to possess are excitement about the faith and a desire to share it with others. Training provided.
Sponsors— We also have a need for others to accompany those joining the church on their faith journey by supporting them along the way.