Mass Times Daily: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m.Saturday: 6:00 p.m.Sunday: 8:00 & 10:30 a.m.Holy Days: 7:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
Confessions: Saturday 5:00-5:40 p.m.; other announced throughout the year; anytime by appointment


Home » Faith Formation

Life Long Faith Formation
"God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life.  For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man.  He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength.  He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church.  To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior.  In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs to his blessed life." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1)

Here at St. Francis Xavier Parish, we strive to offer opportunities for everyone, family & guests, to draw into a deeper relationship with Jesus, our Savior.  Faith Formation is a life long journey, and we hope to accompany each other as we draw closer to Jesus and the Church.  Ways that can happen are below.

Faith Formation/Religious Education Program for School Age Children

2024-25 Updated Faith Formation Calendar
2024-25 Registration Form
2024-25 Photo Release Form
Policy Handbook Updated 2020 Viewable
Policy Handbook updated 2020 - printable

Children K-12

After baptism, infants begin their formation in the faith through the example and teaching of their parents and family members.  As the child develops, parents have their choice of enrolling their child in Catholic, Private, Public Schools or Homeschool to help in the child’s formation and development.  If parents are unable to send their child to a Catholic School, parishes assist in the Faith Development of children by offering a Religious Education Program. 

Our Religious Education Program runs from September thru the end of April. The program is held on Sundays from 9:00-10:20 am.  We strive to provide a solid foundation of our faith that is age-appropriate to the students.  Our program begins in Kindergarten.  Classes are held in the basement of the church and in the Parish Center. Retreats (except for sacrament preparation retreats) are typically held on Sunday afternoons. 

In 2022, the Diocese of Erie announced changes coming for 6-12 Grade Faith Formation Programs across the Diocese.  We are following the "6-year Plan" to make the transition as smooth as possible.  More information can be found here.

Adults

After the completion of Religious Education, Faith Formation often continues by our own initiative.  It is our decision of how often we celebrate the Sacraments, how we develop our prayer life, how we seek opportunities to live our faith through service, and what ministries in the parish we might get involved, all impact our spiritual growth.  As a Church we need to continue to support each other in our journey through life.  Therefore throughout the year, we offer Spiritual Opportunities to help deepen our relationship with Jesus and His Teaching. Some opportunites have included:


Check out the Kiosk at the entrance of the Church for more resources (books and cds).  We have been offering parishioners copies of the Magnificat in place of the usual missal found in church pews so they can continue to pray with the daily readings, meet some of the Saints, and have further reflections/meditations on Sacred Scripture at home throughout the week.  We also have a subscription to FORMED, which offers a wide range of Catholic Media (movies, books, audio talks), so parishioners and guests can access this content for free.  Just creat an account by finding our parish by our zipcode.

Stay connected with St. Francis Xavier Parish for ongoing opportunities to be enriched in your faith.

If you would like to enroll your child in the Religious Education Program, or have any thoughts, questions and/or concerns about how to live the Catholic Faith, please call the Director of Evangelization at 814-476-7657 ext. 7 or email evangelization@stfrancisxaviermckean.org.

SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATIONS

A Sacrament is an efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Jesus Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us through the work of the Holy Spirit. (CCC1131)  The seven Sacraments (Mysteries) are:  Baptism, Holy Communion, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Matrimony, and Holy Orders.

Baptized Children, typically celebrate the Sacrament of First Reconciliation during the 2nd grade year in the Diocese of Erie. A parent/child preparation program is used to prepare for the child's reception of the sacrament. The completion of a first grade Religious Education program is required in order to enter the preparation process.

The Sacrament of First Eucharist is typically celebrated during the 3rd grade year in the Diocese of Erie. A parent/child preparation program is used to prepare for the child's reception of the sacrament. The completion of a 1st and 2nd grade Religious Education program is required in order to enter the preparation process.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is now being celebrated in the 9th Grade. Across the Diocese we utilize the "Purpose" curriculum provided by Life Teen. 

What if I missed celebrating a Sacrament when I was "supposed" to?  Though we are all on "pilgrimage" this side of Heaven, we do not always follow the same path.  Whether you moved from one Diocese to another that celebrates the Sacraments differently, or you journey is just different and you missed a Sacrament, please reach out to the Director of Evangelization about the process for beginning/finishing any of the Sacraments of Initiation.  

More information can be obtained by contacting the Director of Evangelization.

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