Information – Saint Eugene Church

Introduction

Faith Formation (aka: C.C.D. or Religious Education) is an important part of the life of any parish. Children and youth are the future of the Catholic Church and of our parish and so everything we do to teach and give the Catholic Faith to them and help shape their character by it is part of our mission as a community of faith. Here at Saint Eugene Church we offer the following Faith Formation Classes:

Grades K-5
Sunday 9:00 A.M.-10:30 A.M.
September-April

Grades 6-8
Sunday 6:00 P.M.-7:00 P.M.
September-April

Confirmation Preparation Program
Five two-hour sessions are held Monday-Friday, Autumn and Winter

2023-2024 Registration Form

O.C.I.A. (formerly known as R.C.I.A.)
*Annual Schedule based on enrollment

Name of Catechetical (learning the Catholic faith) Programs

“Faith Formation” is the term currently most often used to refer to programs of religious instruction in the Catholic faith. Basic education in the fundamental beliefs of the Catholic faith is called “catechesis”, which literally translates from the Greek term “kaetekisis” as “instruction by word of mouth”. In the 16^th Century, an organization called the “Confraternity of Christian Doctrine” was created with the mission of providing basic education in the faith for Catholics and it produced the most commonly used program of religious instruction in the Catholic Church. As a result, religious instruction programs in parishes became commonly referred to as C.C.D.-the abbreviation of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. Over the last few generations, the name C.C.D. has become less common for programs of catechesis for several reasons. For a while, the term Religious Education increased in usage because the name C.C.D. referred to the formal program produced by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine and was not being as commonly used. Now, the most popular term for programs of catechesis is “Faith Formation”. This is a response to the current need to emphasize the reality that learning the Catholic faith is holistic; it is not about gaining knowledge of the Catholic faith only. A life of Catholic faith-being Catholic-is a lifestyle choice and involves the commitment of the whole of one’s life. Learning the Catholic faith involves much more than the reception of knowledge about it. It is about growing in one’s relationship with God and in spiritual communion with Jesus Christ.

Role and Responsibility of Parents and Faith Formation Programs

When Catholic parents have their children baptized, they make a formal promise to God and to the Catholic Church to do everything in their power to give the Catholic faith to their children. Providing for their children to learn the Catholic faith through enrollment in Catholic schools or parish programs of Faith Formation is certainly an essential part of this; however, it is important for parents to understand that enrollment and, or, participation in Catholic schools or Faith Formation programs by themselves are not enough to appropriately teach/give the Catholic faith to their children. The correct practice of the Catholic faith is also essential. This means that in order to fulfill the commitment they made when they had their children baptized, they also are required to attend the celebration of Catholic Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation, that they have to be committed to following the teachings of Christ as guided by the authority of the Catholic Church (which means they have to have a basic knowledge and understanding of them and put forth the effort necessary to follow them even when there are factors influencing them not to), that they have to practice the other seven Sacraments appropriately (e.g., get marriage validated in the Church-i.e., “blessed” if it has not been, go to Confession when they have committed a mortal sin [according to the Church’s definition of a mortal sin], and ensure their children follow through with completing the Confirmation Program and support them in this), spend time in prayer each day, and are committed to striving to live more and more with God as the center of their world-to be perfectly spiritually united to Christ.

The role that a Catholic parish and, or, a Catholic school plays in teaching children and youth the Catholic faith and having their character formed by it is only intended to be and can only be a supplement.

Volunteer Teachers (Catechists)

Here at St. Eugene Church, we are extremely blessed to have both the faithful programs of catechesis and volunteer teachers (catechists) that we do. The children and youth of our community greatly benefit in their learning of and growth in the faith from them. However, we also welcome any faithful Catholic who feels called to serve God and the Church as a Catechist to assist with one of our Faith Formation Programs here at St. Eugene Church.

Registrations:

We ask that all registrations be returned to St. Eugene Rectory, P.O. Box A, Chepachet, RI 02814. You may also download a registration form from our Parish website. Please fill out both pages of the form and mail it to the rectory with your payment. Every year, it seems, we remind parents of how important it is for their children to continue in our programs especially after receiving First Eucharist. Year after year children do not return to our program until Grade 6. Because of the policy enacted in recent years, more children are participating in our grades 6-7-8 program on Monday evenings. No one will be allowed to begin Confirmation preparation unless grades 7-8 have been successfully completed here, at another parish, or by attending a Catholic School for these grades. Each year we also remind parents about the importance of bringing their children to weekly Mass. While Sunday morning Religion classes are in session, the 10:15 AM Masses are filled to overflowing, but as soon as classes end, many families disappear. All Religious Education students should be participating in the weekly Eucharist with their families and classmates, especially those who are preparing for First Communion and Confirmation. So many students receive the Sacraments as if they were a graduation exercise. Not so, First Communion and Confirmation should mean that the young person is more committed to his/her faith and is receiving Eucharist regularly.

For all the families that follow necessary directives each year, we are very grateful for your cooperation and support. We are trying to supplement what you, the parents teach by your example in living your faith. You‟ve hear it over and over, but it is worth reiterating again, “Parents are the first and most important teacher their children will ever have”. Faith is not only “taught” but “caught” in the daily life of each family.