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FAQS ABOUT FAMILY LIFE GROUPS
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- What is a Family Life Group?
- A Family Life Group is a group of two or more families who meet together to grow in faith and live life together.
- Is this program for all families?
- Yes! No matter where you live, where your child goes to school, what language you speak, or whether you have a child preparing for a sacrament of initiation, this program is for you!
- How does the Family Life Group model work?
- It’s a holistic approach encompassing the entire family. Instead of faith formation being head knowledge imparted by an expert on a strict time table and having an informal ‘graduation’ we’re going to focus on the heart, head, and hands of each member of the family.
- We will provide 3-4 hours of content for each month. It is up to your Family Life Group to decide when you get together and for how long.
- Who participates in a Family Life Group?
- The entire family is expected to participate. If a parent is not Catholic, they do not have to participate, but we would encourage them to do so.
- I am a parent, not a teacher or an expert in the faith, how can I possibly do this?
- You don’t need to be an expert or be good at teaching for this model to work for your family. We will provide resources each month that take you step by step through any learning. And you will get to learn alongside each other together as a family!
- As a parent, your kids need to see you as a committed Christian. That role modeling is what matters.
- How are you going to help us do this?
- We will provide plenty of ready made content for each month (October-June). There is no preparation needed on your part other than determining where and when your group will meet.
- There will be a parish support person who is readily available to the lead adult of your family group.
- I used to teach a catechism class. Can I volunteer with the Family Life Groups?
- Yes! The volunteer roles for the Family Life Groups use many of the same skills that a Catechism class teacher used for teaching a class. Full descriptions of all the roles are available here. Contact jschirripa@saintraphael.org to explore the possibilities!
- Where do I get the resources or material?
- When you register your Family Life Group, you will indicate whether you want to have the materials emailed to you each month or to pick up a packet each month at the parish services desk in the atrium.
- What if I don’t have internet access?
- You don’t need internet access to participate in the activities. You can pick up a paper packet at the parish services desk in the atrium each month.
- Are Family Life Groups the only faith formation option for my family?
- Yes. We realize that this is a different way of doing things and it may be uncomfortable at first, but we hope you will give this model a try because of all the benefits it can bring to your family.
- Parish staff and volunteers will be providing support to Family Life Groups to help them navigate any challenges that come with being the first to try something new.
- When do Family Life Groups begin?
- Family Life Groups can run year round, but often take the summers off. You can register your family anytime by clicking here. For the Fall of 2021, groups will start meeting in October, especially to prepare for sacraments in the spring.
- Where will we meet?
- That’s up to you! You can rotate homes, meet at a restaurant, park, playground, the parish plaza, the clubhouse at your apartment complex. You can also meet virtually if you like.
- Due to the large number of Family Life Groups, indoor spaces at the parish are not available for groups to meet. Unfortunately, there is just not enough space to be able to allow all groups to do this. And this is actually a good thing, because we will reach so many families with this initiative!
- How do we register?
- Register your family by clicking here.
- What is the fee?
- The Family Life Group has a $50 flat registration fee for the whole family.
- Fees reflect the costs of building out the monthly resources, as well as the additional resources for sacraments including the retreats.
- During trying times, financial stress can be a part of our lives. Talk to us if this is an issue. We would never want to make money be an obstacle to participation.
- How do I find other families to meet with?
- Check out the options on the Registration page by clicking here.
- Still have more questions?
- What is a Family Life Group?
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- Is this how our family will prepare for a sacrament?
- Yes. When your family registers as a part of a Family Life Group, there will be an option to enroll in the preparation process for Confirmation or First Communion.
- How will sacramental preparation work?
- As always, sacrament preparation is about changing the heart of a child and it happens within the context of a family. Children preparing for the sacraments of First Communion or Confirmation will have additional materials and experiences as part of their growth toward receiving a sacrament. They will be supported by the entire Family Life Group.
- What if my child goes to a Catholic school?
- Sacramental preparation is an internal and personal journey of faith, unique to each child. Religion classes enrich a child's understanding of Catholic traditions, theology, and beliefs. The two work hand in hand and don't replace each other. Sacramental preparation at St. Raphael is the same for all children regardless of what school they attend.
- When will sacramental preparation start?
- Preparation starts when your child is ready. Determining when your child is ready to receive a sacrament is a process of discernment for parents with the child; we will be here to help when needed. We are moving away from a "cookie cutter" approach that considers every child or family situation to be exactly the same. The Family Life Group model can be quite flexible.
- What does "flexible" mean?
- The celebration of the sacraments will take place throughout the year.
- At what age can my child receive First Communion?
- According to diocesan parameters, First Communion can be received from the age of 7. At St. Raphael, preparation can begin at a minimum age of 6. A child's unique needs and understandings, or the realities of a family, can lead a family to choose a different time that is more appropriate for them, and that's okay.
- At what age can my child receive Confirmation?
- According to diocesan parameters, Confirmation can be received from the age of 14. At St. Raphael, preparation can begin at a minimum age of 13. A child's unique needs and understandings, or the realities of a family, can lead a family to choose a different time that is more appropriate for them, and that's okay.
- Still have more questions?
- Is this how our family will prepare for a sacrament?
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- Why use this model now?
- The large group/classroom model hasn’t been working for a while. In both local and national statistics, research shows that a large number of young people in the US who are raised Catholic walk away from their faith by their mid-twenties. Folks used to hold out hope that young adults would return to the church when they had children of their own. This is happening less and less.
When asked about why they no longer identify as Catholic, many young adults say that they do not see the faith as relevant to their lives. The faith is distant from them and disconnected from the reality of their everyday experience. We hope to help young people discover just how relevant Jesus and his Church are to their everyday lives through the Family Life Group model, where faith is incorporated into the fabric of family lives.
The new approach focuses on the primary role of parents as witnesses to the faith, with lots of support both from the parish and their peers. We are trying a new model because we want a better future for our church and our children. The old method was not firing up our children as much as we want for them with the joy of being a friend of Jesus and the excitement of sharing that faith with others.
We want to treat being Catholic as a way of life and not a subject in school. Family Life Groups focus on building and strengthening Catholic families, the place where we learn how to live our lives of faith. We honor these family relationships and provide resources and supports to make this fun and approachable. Meeting with several families on a regular basis allows your children to develop friendships with adult role models and peers in the faith who will grow alongside them. Family Life Groups make faith more personal and integrated into the fabric of daily life.
- The large group/classroom model hasn’t been working for a while. In both local and national statistics, research shows that a large number of young people in the US who are raised Catholic walk away from their faith by their mid-twenties. Folks used to hold out hope that young adults would return to the church when they had children of their own. This is happening less and less.
- What are the benefits for my family?
- It’s convenient: For many families this model fits into your existing peer/family relationships and routines. For others, perhaps new to the parish or community, it can be a great way to build roots and make new friends.
It has a flexible schedule/time: Your Family Life Group determines how often and where to meet.
There’s one meeting for the whole family: Everyone has the opportunity to learn from those older and younger. There will be ideas for adults, teens and children that are adaptable for different learning styles and abilities.
Parents are empowered as primary decision makers: As parents you know your children best: when they understand something and if they’re ‘ready’ to celebrate a sacrament. There’s a place for the child themselves to determine if and when they want to proceed with celebrating a sacrament.
Covid sensibility (another benefit, just for the time being): Family Life Groups are adaptable to changing circumstances with regard to the pandemic. Gatherings can be outside, on our plaza under the umbrellas, or at public places like parks. If your group chooses, you can also meet at someone’s home.
- It’s convenient: For many families this model fits into your existing peer/family relationships and routines. For others, perhaps new to the parish or community, it can be a great way to build roots and make new friends.
- What will we be learning?
- How to be a Catholic family
How to live the faith in everyday life
Faith sharing with my family and other people
Bible, prayers, Mass, saints, traditions, Catholic identity, Ignatian spirituality, and more...
- How to be a Catholic family
- Is anyone else doing faith formation like this?
- We’re not really creating something new. The early church did faith formation like this. Much of what the New Testament tells us about what it looks like to function as a church, can’t be done unless you’re in some type of smaller community. In Acts 2: 42–43 we can see how the early Church lived in relationship with each other: They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
Choosing to journey together with other people who follow Jesus accelerates our growth, just as it did for those first Christians. When we have the connection of good friendships with other disciples, it’s easier to pray, serve, and deepen in our faith. It’s easier to invite and welcome new people to our faith and our parish. It’s easier in every way to be the people that God calls us to be.
- We’re not really creating something new. The early church did faith formation like this. Much of what the New Testament tells us about what it looks like to function as a church, can’t be done unless you’re in some type of smaller community. In Acts 2: 42–43 we can see how the early Church lived in relationship with each other: They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.
- Still have more questions?
- Why use this model now?
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