Elementary Faith Journey

• Pathways formation will consist of the following…
• Pathway Family Meetings
• Church formation sessions
• Adult Formation Sessions
• Pathway Family Events

Parents are always the first and most influential teachers in the lives of our young people. Our children don’t always do what we tell them, but they do imitate what we do (for better and for worse!). Therefore, we as a pastorate want to recommit ourselves to empowering our parents and families to be effective in raising their children in the Catholic faith.

The Church recognizes parents as the “primary catechists” in the formation of their children. 

At baptism, parents and godparents make a commitment to their child and the Lord to raise their child in the Catholic faith. Our new model of formation emphasizes this role and responsibility while giving parents the tools to succeed.

Beginning in the Fall of 2023, all children in Pre-K through 8th grade will participate in “Pathways.”

As the Evangelization team becomes more and more familiar with this new model of formation, “Pathways” will be incorporated into our sacramental preparation, including 1st Eucharist and reconciliation, Confirmation, Marriage, and Baptism.

It is important to note that participation in “Pathways” also includea parents of children involved in faith formation.

The curriculum for our Pathways formation is produced in “modules” or “Pathway.” Each module or “Pathway” is comprised of several family meetings, followed by Church sessions. 

The Pathways curriculum will provide Families with a guide on how to complete family gatherings. This guide will ask families to complete different tasks, each month, during their family meetings. 

Beginning in the Fall of 2023, families will start working on the “Root” module. This module consists of 6 family meetings and 6 Church sessions.
The Pathway curriculum also provides parents with their own faith formation materials which will be presented on our  “2nd Sunday  Sessions” held monthly at Msgr. Slade School.
 

• Gathering prayer

• A “Check In” - a question that is discussed as a family.

• An Activity - Families will participate in an activity together. Families will mark these activities using the Pathways online app called “Martha.” 

• Teaching - The family will discuss a particular Church teaching which stems from the “Check - in” and “Activity.”

It is the responsibility of the parent, by virtue of presenting their child for Baptism, to be the primary Catechists for their children. 

It is the responsibility of the parish to help form adults in their faith so that they feel equipped and empowered to be the primary catechists for their children. 
In an effort to help form the parents of our children, we will be asking that at least one parent attend adult formation on the 2nd Sunday of each month. 
Parents will meet with catechetical leaders while their children participate in group formation with our parish catechists.

Each adult formation session will focus on the theme that is the primary focus of the family’s upcoming “Family Meeting.” The goal, in addition to general faith formation for our adults, is to help them be better prepared to discuss the specific topic of each family meeting with their children. 

For example, if the subject of the family meeting for October is “The Creed,” the 2nd Sunday adult formation session will also focus on “The Creed.” 

Our 2nd Sunday catechesis will begin in the auditorium with a group prayer, then students will be dismissed to their catechists. At this time, parents will begin their own formation until 10:20, when their children return from their catechists. 

The adult formation will be offered in English & Spanish.

One of the more significant changes to the new model is the change regarding our Passport events. In place of Passport events, the Evangelization team will be hosting “Pathway Events.”

Much like our Passport Events, families will be invited to participate in a variety of parish, community-building events. 

Students will participate in Pathway Events, at least one per month. These events include Eucharist Adoration offered every Tuesday, Family movie nights, Pray and Play, as well as many other faith-enriching, fun activities. As students participate in these Pathway Events, they will no longer have to get “Passports” stamped. Participation in the event will be recorded through our Pathways app called “Martha.”
 

The following is a tentative list of Pathway Events. Please always check the bulletin and Flocknote for the latest updates for the following events, as well as events added in the future.

Regularly scheduled Pathway Events - Families can use these as one of their Pathway Events once.

• 1st Friday Adoration - 6 pm, CTK Chapel.
• Tuesday Night Adoration - 6-7 pm, STB.
• Rosary - After 9 am Mass, on the 3rd Sunday of each month, STB. Bernadette.
• Family Movie Night - 3rd Friday of Odd numbered months, 6:30 pm at STB. 
• Pray & Play - 3rd Friday of even-numbered months, 6:30 pm, location varies.
• Stations of the Cross - Every Friday during Lent, locations and time TBD.

Service Sunday - 9 - 10:30 am, Fourth Sunday beginning in September, STB (Middle School Only). Parents DO NOT have to attend. Please RSVP w/Dr. Pat at [email protected].

What is Martha? Is the online learning management platform we are using to deliver digital content, communicate, view progress, family follow through and view calendar with upcoming events related to Faith Formation. 

At the end of each family meeting, you will be able to submit a photo, text response or audio response to show us your progress. Families will also submit a photo, text or audio response when attending Pathways Events.
For those familiar with our old model of formation, think of “Martha” as our new, digital “Passport.”

Each Family Meeting and each Pathway Event will provide you with specific instructions on what you are to submit through the Martha App.
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How much does Pathways for Elementary Faith Formation cost?

• Cost for 2 children: $220

• Cost for 1 child: $120

• Cost for 3 children: $280

• Cost for 4+ children: $350

Middle School, High School, and Sacrament Preparation are separate costs.

Payment

​​​​​​​Payment is due at the time of registration. The due day for tuition is July 25th. If payment cannot be made by this time, please contact the director.

Tuition 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 Pathways on checks or enveloped cash payments.