Faith Formation

The main focus of all aspects of our faith formation is centered on the celebration of the Sunday Eucharist.

The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life." The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.

Catechism of the Catholic Church Article 3 - Section I #1324

The Sunday assembly is the font from which the whole parish community draws catechesis. Faith Formation involves adults as well as children and it means "putting on the mind of Christ" in all that we do - at home, on the job, in our neighborhoods, and in our parish schools and communities. It is a lifelong process of formation. We offer a traditionally Catholic experience of catechesis, service, social and spiritual opportunities to live out the gospel call Jesus extends to all of us: Come follow Me!

Our objectives are:

Our Religious Education Programs provide on-going Religious development for all parish groups, but most especially concerning the public school children in grades Kindergarten through Eight, and public and Catholic High School students in grades Nine through Twelve.

Sacramental preparation, including parent and godparent/sponsor meeting for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage.

Administration of the Focus Questionnaire (pre-marriage inventory tool).

Preparation for Adult Confirmation and (R.C.I.A.) The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

Provide Retreats and Days of Recollection for appropriate Sacramental preparation and volunteer enrichment.

Train and provide ongoing in-service instructions for volunteer catechists.

Provide Spiritual Direction for families and/or individuals to become more closely united with God and to enhance their spiritual relationship.

Observe the gifts, talents and interests of the parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, in order to recruit, train and assign needed personnel to appropriate areas of parish life.

We invite you to prayerfully consider how you can use your gifts to enhance our programs. Volunteers are Earths Angels!