The parishes of Holy Cross, Mother of Sorrows, St. Charles Borromeo and St. Lawrence offer a variety of faith formation and sacramental preparation programs to assist parents in their important duty to form their children in the Catholic Faith. Here are our current formation offerings.
Family Faith Formation
This program is intended for children in grades 1-7 and their families. We meet twice a month on Sunday mornings. One of the monthly meetings focuses on family catechesis while the other focuses more on age-specific instruction, including a parent talk specifically geared toward adults. Classes will alternate each month between Mother of Sorrows (9:45 to 10:45 am) and St. Charles Borromeo (9:30 to 10:30 am). The registration fee is $100 per family. Parents who volunteer as catechists receive 50% off tuition! To register please fill out a paper registration form and return it to your parish office or sign up online by clicking here (make sure to choose “Family Faith Formation” on your registration).
Home Study Program
In addition to Family Faith Formation we offer a home study program where parents work with their children on the workbook at home and return the completed workbook to the Faith Formation office in May 2026. The fee for home study is $50 for one child and $10 for each additional. To register please fill out a paper registration form and return it to your parish office or sign up online by clicking here (make sure to choose “Home Study Program” on your registration).
Summer Intensives
As an alternative to Family Faith Formation or the Home Study Program, you may opt to enroll your children in our two-week summer intensives. The children attend in-person instruction at either St. Charles Borromeo or St. Lawrence for two weeks in the summer from 9 am to noon each day. Additional details and opportunities to reigster will be offered in the spring.
First Penance and First Holy Communion Preparation
This sacramental program is designed to prepare children to receive the sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion. The diocese requires at least one year of Faith Formation prior to enrolling, either in a parish Faith Formation program or at a Catholic school. Note: attending a Catholic school does not exempt you from participation in this sacramental program, which is required for all children. Children ordinarily receive these sacraments when they reach the age of reason, generally in the second grade. The program includes a parent informational meeting and two workshops leading to the celebration of First Penance, and a parent informational meeting and two workshops leading to the celebration of First Communion. The program fee is $50 per child. To register please fill out a paper registration form and return it to your parish office or sign up online by clicking here.
| Faith Formation Programs for Children and Teens |
| Sacramental Preparation for Children and Teens |