Formation Options
Children & Youth Formation:
Ages 0-3 years -- Nursery
Babysitting services while family attends formation.
Pre K (ages 3 thru Kindergarten) -- Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Led with the Montessori style of learning, our preschoolers will participate in topic-oriented activities as they begin their journey to experience the “ah ha’s” of our faith.
Grades 1 through 5 -- Sacred Heart Kids’ Club
This weekly study will cover age appropriate teachings and activities in a club/community atmosphere led by St. Alban Roe’s Sister Margaretta and Julie Bestgen that will complement the home component. It will include Reconciliation and Communion in the second grade. This option replaces PSR.
Grades 6, 7 and 8 -- LIFT Program of Faith, Hope and Love
This weekly study will challenge our middle schoolers in activities and teachings that will build on the three theological virtues (faith, hope, love) with each year’s curriculum. This three year program of service and study prepares the students for the Sacrament of Confirmation
High School Teen Formation:
Crosswalk
This scripture study and discussion of current topics for all our high school students is a valuable resource for teens to apply their knowledge and faith to what they experience and face each day. Study topics included are: saints, theology of the body for teen, teen timeline.
High School Curriculum
Each semester one Crosswalk small group will be devoted to a three year curriculum. High School students may choose to be a part of that small group to complete a systematic presentation of the Catholic Faith. For the 2011-2012 school year, the Fall semester will cover the Theology of the Body for Teens, giving those participants an understanding of our vocation as Christian men and women. During the Spring Semester a course on Defending the Catholic Faith in Love will be offered, covering how to respond to commonly misunderstood teachings of the Catholic Faith.
Adult Formation:
Two adult options will be offered during the Fall Semester, and three options will be offered for the Spring Semester. Adults with children in the Family Formation program may choose one of the five options. Adults without children may choose to participate in one course each semester.
Parenting toward Sexual Purity (Fall Semester)
Following up on the Archdiocesan anti-pornography program (As for Me and My House...), thse course will be a practical look at how to raise children who will value purity. It covers many topics including equipping your children to guard themselves in an impure world, having open, honest and age-appropriate conversations with your children, and understanding the dynamics of a truly Christian family. This course will be taught by Dr. John Splinter, Director of pureHOPE, who also assisted the Archdiocese of St. Louis in developing and implementing its anti-pornography effort.
Catholic Apologetics (Fall Semester)
This course will address many of the typical questions that people have about the Catholic Faith. It will look at how best to respond to people who may ask questions about the Faith, and it will provide a paradigm for how to find answers to future questions not covered in class. This course will be led by St. Alban Roe's Director of Faith Formation, Jim Blase.
Paul VI Course: Basic Catholic Doctrine (Spring Semester)
A study of the fundamental beliefs of the Catholic faith as outlined in the Creed and described in Part I of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC). This will be taught by an instructor from the Paul VI Catechetical Institute. It is one of the core classes required for any of the certificates offered by the Institute.
A Biblical Walk through the Mass and A Look at Grace and Faith (Spring Semester)
This is a two-part course. The first part will explore the biblical roots of the words and gestures we experience in the Liturgy and explain their profound significance. It is based on the revised translation of the Mass, which will begin with Advent of 2011. The second part of the course will discuss some of the issues that were wrestled with during the Protestant Reformation and clarified in the Council of Trent. Many of these issues continue to confuse people today. The course will be taught by St. Alban Roe's Fr. Mark Chrismer.
The Bible Timeline, part I (Spring Semester)
This course is the first 12 weeks of the 24-week Bible Timeline with Jeff Cavins. The Bible Timeline walks through the whole story of Scripture following the 14 narrative books and demonstrating where the supplemental books fit within the story of God's wonderful works among His people. This is a great introduction to reading Scripture and will provide a basis for all future Bible studies.