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Elementary Faith Journey
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- Program Overview
- Who Should Attend?
- Tuition Fees and Deadlines
- Formation for Parents
- Faith Formation for Those with Disabilities
- FAQs
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Elementary Faith JourneyOur Pastorate offers a religious education model for our K – 5 students called “Elementary Faith Journey.” The EFJ reminds children and parents that faith is an ongoing journey. The title also references our program’s use of our Faith Journey Passports.
This religious education model will intentionally focus on the major four areas of formation. These areas include…Spiritual, Human, Intellectual, and Pastoral formation.
Throughout the school year, students will be expected to participate in various “passport” events that will focus on these four areas of formation. Each passport event is labeled with a S H I or P, indicating the formational focus of that event. Some events may include multiple areas of formation. Students are to participate in at least 2 spiritual, 2 human, and 2 pastoral events throughout the school year. Students will have their passports stamped at each event they attend.
Students will attend their intellectual formation on the 2nd Sunday of each month, from September – to May at Msgr. Slade School from 9:00 am – 10:30 am (there will be no class on Easter Sunday).
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All families are invited to participate in our Elementary Faith Journey. Children who attend Catholic Schools are not required to attend our Sunday morning classes; however, they should attend our Passport events, especially those who are preparing for the sacraments.
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Tuition CostsAlthough students are no longer attending the Summer Academy as a part of this new model, they will be attending monthly intellectual formation (catechesis). Your tuition helps cover the cost of Passport Events, supplies for our Sunday sessions, and supplemental catechetical materials known as “Gospel Weeklies” provided by Pflaum Publishing. Students will read and complete Gospel Weekly assignments throughout the month.Fees and DeadlinesFamilies who completed 5 Passport Activities during the year and register by September 8th, 2022. Tuition costs are as follows…
$100 for one child
$200 for two children
$275 for a family of three or more children
PaymentTuition can be paid by check, cash (only accepted in-person at the parish center), or credit card. Please make checks payable to Christ the King. Be sure to indicate that the funds are for Elementary Faith Journey on checks or enveloped cash payments.
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Formation for Parents
One of the goals of the religious education model is to encourage and invite parents to be a part of that formation. While students are attending class on the 2nd Sunday of the month, parents are invited to attend adult faith formation sessions that will mirror the topic being covered in that month’s class. This formation will also take place at Msgr. Slade.
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Special Religious Education (SPRED)
SPRED instruction is provided for students with varying degrees of learning and physical disabilities. Please contact Deacon Dan for additional information.
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Frequently asked questionsMy child did not participate in any Passport Events over the year. Are they still eligible to enroll in the 2022-23 Elementary Faith Journey?Absolutely. Families who did not participate in Passport events for the 2021-22 school year will be asked to meet with Deacon Dan to ensure they understand the details regarding the Elementary Faith Journey.
Is the Elementary Faith Journey required for Catholic School students?
Catholic school students are to participate in the Passport Events; however, they DO NOT have to attend Sunday morning intellectual (catechetical) sessions.
What if I am not able to participate in the required amount of Passport Events?
Families are expected to participate in at least 2 Spiritual events, 2 human events, 6 intellectual events (unless the child is currently enrolled in Catholic school) and 2 pastoral events. Families with children who did not complete Passport Events will be asked to meet with a member of our Evangelization team to discuss how members of the team can help the family be more engaged in the life of the parish.
How does the Passport model work?When children attend a Passport Event, he or she will have their Passports stamped by a “Faith Journey Travel Agent.” These volunteers will be announced during Passport Events or will wear a lanyard that indicates they can stamp passports.
After each event, students will answer a few questions regarding the Passport event they attended.
Where or when can I pick up a Passport for my child?Parish offices and worship spaces for both Christ the King & St. Bernadette have Passports available.What if I cannot find my child’s Passport?Parents are encouraged to take a photo of their child’s passport after each event they attend. This way parents have a backup in the event a passport is lost.Does the Elementary Faith Journey impact my child receiving their sacraments?It is important to remember that immediate preparation for a sacrament is separate from our Elementary Faith Journey, the two programs work together. Before a child can begin immediate preparation for the sacraments, they will have to meet with a member of the Evangelization team for “Formation Fellowship.” Before that meeting, children are to complete 6 intellectual (catechetical), 2 pastoral, 2 spiritual, and 2 human formation Passport events. Completing these events will take at least 7-8 months.What is “Formation Fellowship” and what does it have to do with the Elementary Faith Journey and Sacramental Preparation?After a young person has completed their Passport Events and would like to register for sacramental preparation, the child and their family will meet with a member of the Evangelization team to discuss their Passport Events and how these events helped form them to be a better disciple.What if my family is new to the parish or I missed the deadline to register, can we still participate in the Elementary Faith Journey?The new model for Elementary faith formation allows children to enter formation at any time; however, due to class sizes and volunteers, children may not be able to enter class until the following year. If a child starts late, they simply continue participating in Passport Events until the Passport is complete. For example, if a child begins attending Passport events in January, he will continue attending events through the Spring, Summer, and Fall of the following year.What is considered Spiritual Formation?Spiritual Formation helps our young people live in “intimate union with God the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit… This is the foundational call to discipleship and conversion of heart. Those who aspire to be sent on a mission, as the apostles were, must first acquire the listening and learning heart of disciples." Spiritual formation includes liturgical formation, that is, participating in various liturgies and/or prayer services. Passport Events for Spiritual formation include, but are not limited to…- Stations of the Cross
- Praying the Rosary
- Blessing of the Pets
- Attending special holy days masses.
- Adoration opportunities.
What is considered Human Formation?Human formation deepens our relationship with God but also helps us communicate this relationship to God's people in the community through both our words and actions. Human formation Passport events will offer families the opportunity for community building with other families. Passport Events for Human formation will include, but are not limited to…- “Pray & Play” Nights – Food and fellowship with families.
- Parish Movie Nights
- Parish celebrations (Example: Parish Feast day celebrations).
What is considered Intellectual Formation?Intellectual formation calls for children to acquire wisdom which assists in their knowing God and His Church. Intellectual formation is also known as catechesis. Intellectual Formation will involve classroom Catechesis that will take place once a month, 2nd Sunday of each month at Msgr. Slade Auditorium
Intellectual formation will also include at-home catechesis. Young people cannot learn the teachings of the Catholic faith in one Sunday lesson. At home, catechesis is essential for intellectual formation. Students will receive weekly at home catechetical material known as “Gospel Weeklies.”Our Sunday morning classroom catechesis serves as Intellectual Passport Events.What is considered Pastoral FormationPastoral formation focuses on how our young people are formed as disciples called to care and serve others as described in Matthew 25:31-43. Through various Pastoral Formation events, young people will be called to serve others through various outreach opportunities. Passport Events for Pastoral formation will include, but are not limited to…- Christmas Cards to homebound
- Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowl collection
- Can food collections
- Sandwich making for “Happy Helpers.”
Who do I contact regarding sacramental preparation?Our sacramental coordinator, Mrs. Airryn Sorto.
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Passport Events
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When you attend your first event, you will pick up a Passport Card. Keep this card in a safe place and bring it to each event to document your attendance. This is the ONLY record of what your child attended. We would suggest snapping a photo with your phone each time the card is stamped so that you have a record in the event the card is lost. The Passport Card or a photo of the card must be returned along with the registration form.
Pop-Up Passports may be added to the calendar throughout the year.
Unfortunately, COVID is still a reality and our Passport Events may be impacted. Notifications about changes in venue, cancellation, or new "Pop-Up Passport Events" will be sent to parents using FLOCKNOTE. Families will automatically be enrolled in FLOCKNOTE upon registration.
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For Questions, Contact
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Dcn. Dan MillerDaniel.Millerarchbalt.orgDirector of Evangelization
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