St. Stephen Catholic Church

Diocese of Austin

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Faith Formation

- Faith Formation
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- Sandra Reed
  
  Director of Faith Formation
  
  faithformationsaintstephenchurch.org

Faith Formation Mission
The St. Stephen Faith Formation Ministry strives to enrich and challenge the lives of our adults, young people and children. We will provide them with the education and examples necessary to become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ in a loving and caring Christian community and in keeping with the vision statement of the Austin Diocese; and all those who are called to serve in the catechetical ministry of the church will work together to carry out our specific faith formation goals:
- Provide quality educational resources for all children, youth and adults;
- Meet and respect children and youth at their individual levels of understanding and faith develop development;
- Integrate prayer, Scripture and service;
- Welcome and involve parents in the faith formation of their children;
- Provide instruction and preparation for the receiving of the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation; and provide opportunities for service to the community at large through a variety of different programs.
Program Information:
The St. Stephen Faith Formation program currently serves more then 150 students. The Faith Formation Program is open to all students age 4 years – high school. Classes are divided by grade level. Each class is taught by a catechist and one aide. Faith Formation classes meet on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. Sacramental classes meet on Sundays.
Meet our new DRE

Greetings! My name is Sandra Reed and my family and I just moved from Copperas Cove last summer. Throughout the year we have been exploring different parishes praying to find one to call home. We were blessed to finish St. Stephen and to meet Father Jude. We have been attending the last couple of weeks.

I was born in Mexico and raised in California for the majority of my life. God gave me the opportunity of being a military wife or the past 21 years. We have traveled and gone back home but lived in Texas for the past 9 years. My kids have grown up calling Texas home. I went to the University of Austin Peay in Clarksville, TN and received my Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2010. I am currently working at Carl R. Darnall Army Military Center as the Chief Nursing Officer in Charge for the Department of Orthopedics. I am a cradle Catholic and during my children’s enrollment in faith formation I was a Catechist at Holy Family Church in Copperas Cove.

I will be replacing Laura Synder who has done a wonderful job starting and managing the program. She will be retiring and I can only hope to continue the excellent work she has done. I feel very blessed to be given the opportunity as the new DRE. I would like to thank you all for the warm welcomes and for allowing my family and I to join you at St. Stephen. Thank you for allowing me to be around your children but most importantly allowing me to mentor our Catholic faith through our faith formation program.
2020-2021 Faith Formation
St. Stephen is excited to welcome our students and families back to Faith Formation for 2020-2021. Despite the challenges we face with COVID-19, St. Stephen is committed to providing families with two options for participating while still focusing on the health, safety and well-being of our catechists, children and faith community. Fees and materials provided for both options are identical.
1. Face-to Face-Catechesis: For those who choose it, children and youth will attend Faith Formation classes at St. Stephen beginning Wednesday, September 30 or Sunday, October 4, 2020
2. Home-school: For those not choosing to do face-to-face catechesis, parents will become the primary educators of the faith and teach their children at home with materials and support provided by St. Stephen. We will set-up a time to meet and distribute materials in a safe environment.
Faith Formation Registration
STEP 1:
Fill out a Registration Form. Only one registration form is needed per family.

Registration Forms are Available:
- At the Parish Office: hours 9-3; Monday-Friday
- In the Back of Church before and after Mass
- 2020-2021 Registration Form - English
- 2020-2021 Registration Form - Spanish
STEP 2:
There are two options to submit your registration form and receive your Registration Packet.

Option 1: Submit your registration form and donation and we will mail your registration packet to your home.
- Mail: PO Box 662, Salado, TX 76571
- Email: www.faithformation@saintstephenchurch.org
- Drop Off in the Parish Office or in the drop box in the back of church
Option 2: Submit your registration form in person at St. Stephen on Wednesday, and pick-up your registration packet. Masks will be required.
Donation - for supplies and materials
Faith Formation Classes:
A donation for supplies and materials is strongly encouraged.
- $30 per student or $60 per family
Sacramental Preparation Classes
A donation for supplies and materials is strongly encouraged.
- $30 First Reconciliation/ Communion Class per child
- $30 Confirmation Class per child
At Home Activities for Children

SUNDAY MASS - Liturgy
These FREE Catholic Mass Bulletin Printables are offered each month to help young Catholics learn about the Mass.

2021 June Catholic Kids Bulletin
2021 Junio Boletín para Niños Católicos

2021 July Catholic Kids Bulletin
2021 Julio Boletín de Niños Católicos

2021 August Catholic Kids Bulletin
2021 Agosto Boletín para Niños

WORSHIP@HOME - This is an online resource to help families with children pray together at home while we are unable to gather for Sunday Mass. It is based on and inspired by Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest: Leader's Guide (promulgated by the U.S. Bishops) and the Directory for Masses with Children (from the Congregation for Divine Worship).

CATHOLIC GOSPEL COLORING & WORKSHEETS FOR SUNDAY MASS - Enjoy Catholic coloring pages, lesson plans, Mass worksheets, crossword and word search puzzles, and more to help you prepare for the Sunday Liturgy. These activities, prepared by the Catholic Mom Sunday Gospel Team, are free for you to print and share with your family, classroom, or parish.

LIVING THE LITURGICAL YEAR
Catholic Family Resource Library (Catholic Sprouts)
Catholic Icing (Catholic crafts and activities)

VIDEOS
Watch " The Mass: A Life-Giving Prayer " from FORMED
Watch " The Bread of Life: Celebrating the Eucharist!" from FORMED