Holy Family Faith Formation

Faith Formation for Middle Schoolers

Faith Formation Office | (770) 973-0038
Director: Rick Dick | (770) 973-0038 ext. 20

Holy Family's Faith Formation program is a life-long heart-to-heart adventure. We are all called by God to grow in full stature "wisdom and age and grace," as did Jesus in His earthly life (Luke 2:32). We foster faith in children through Scripture, tradition, liturgical and sacramental celebrations, the witness of Christian living, faith sharing, prayer and the profound meaning of everyday experiences. We share the story of Christ in the light of specific human experience, reflecting upon its meaning within the community, and responding in faith through worship and service.

All classes use the small group model of instruction, with one catechist per 5-7 students and 4-5 groups per classroom. The levels include "Focus on Scripture" and RCL's content-based curriculum "Faith First". The Faith First program is built upon the four pillars of the Catholic Church: the Creed, Liturgy and the Sacraments, Christian Morality, and Christian Prayer. Each year the children are exposed to these four pillars in a way that brings it alive in an age appropriate manner. So while the 1st graders may be learning that the Holy Spirit is our Helper, the 5th graders are discovering the different gifts that the same spirit showers upon us. This is called a spiral effect. Each year our understanding, our children's understanding increases and we are more able to fully embrace our faith with its many graces by making it our own. To learn more about RCL please visit the RCL website. .

Welcome to "The Zone!" (Sunday 6:15 - 7:45 pm)

If you haven't been downstairs, you probably don't realize just how exciting and different the Middle School program is here at Holy Family. The "Zone" is a unique faith formation experience that combines traditional catechesis with a wide range of hands-on experiences designed to help our young people develop a strong sense of community, a desire to serve, a deeper spirituality, and a firm foundation in their Catholic faith.

Each year "The Zone" has a different theme that runs throughout the year, and is reflected on our class T-shirts. Middle School is a time of intense change, growth and exploration. “Houses” give the kids a time to socialize and engage in a little friendly competition to see if they are living out their faith! In addition to the Sunday night gatherings, the middle school youth have opportunities to actively live out their faith and to grow spiritually through a variety of experiences that help make their faith alive and personal.

After the 5:00 p.m. mass on Sunday, our middle school youth gather in the ZONE from 6:15 p.m. until 7:45 p.m. 

Middle School Dinners

Middle School Parents rotate providing dinner for our Middle Schoolers class on Sunday Nights. The first part of class is eating, social, and house time. It’s a way we build community and get to know each other.

Middle School Retreats

A retreat offers students a spiritual time away from the rush of everyday life.  It is an opportunity for participants to play a little, pray a little, learn more about their faith, and develop friendships with God and others.  All retreats and lock-ins are well chaperoned.

·        6^th/7^th grade Middle Schoolers have a day retreat once a year.  The theme varies each year.

·        8^th grade Middle Schoolers have the opportunity to attend a weekend retreat in the North Georgia Mountains. This retreat is one of the most significant and vital experiences for our 8^th graders.

 

 

Service Projects 

Volunteers plan, organize, publicize, drive, and chaperone service projects for 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade students. Service projects include collecting, assembling, and distributing – clothing and hygiene kits, cooking and serving food at different shelters and ministries, collecting for recycling – cell phones, ink jet and laser cartridges, cleaning and planting on the Parish Grounds, remembering parish family members and friends with luminaries on All Saint’s and presenting the Living Stations during Lent.  Our students learn that service of others is faith in action.  The time commitment is to help plan and supervise service projects.  Volunteers may sign up for a single project.

 

Socials

Help plan social activities for Middle School students. Planners, organizers, drivers, chaperones, set-up, clean-up, and activity leaders make possible events like:  trips to Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze, Theme socials, etc. This team enjoys Middle Schoolers and endeavors to build community among them through enjoyable, wholesome activities. The time commitment is per event, but we would love to have an ongoing team throughout the school year and summer.

For more information, please contact:

Amy Drick at 770 973-0038 ext. 21