At St Patrick’s, we believe that forming youth disciples doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should be intentional.By adding new and creative opportunities to live and explore our faith into our lives together as families, we build our most important relationship with Jesus Christ together!
Family Formation meets twice per month, each session focusing on a key part of our faith, and then sends quality resources home with families to bring those faith lessons to life throughout their week.With 18 or more activity options ranging from prayer, crafts, videos, and more, there are plenty of options to choose from and find what fits your family best!
Family Formation (Grades K-5), meets twice per month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 6:00-7:30pm.
2026/27 Formation Year
Family Formation will meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 6:00-7:30pm.
Family Formation Session 1: God as Creator Materials
Here you will find all the materials for the October 1st session of Family Formation, for families who might have missed the session or to review and download digital versions of the Home Materials.
Intro to Session 1
Welcome, opening prayer with Father Yanta, Creation Trivia, and General announcements for the first session.
Parent Crash Course: What Does the Church Really Teach About Creation
Here you will find all the Family home resources for October 1-15, to be used in bringing our Creation Lesson home and building it into your family’s faith practices. Pick and choose what is best for you, and remember: The Christian life does not need to be complicated but it should be intentional. So, come up with a plan that is well-suited to your family’s needs.
You will find all of the digital options in the Toolbox below, to make navigating them easier. All of these resources can also be found using the QR codes in the Toolbox Guide.
Family Formation Session 1.5: All Saints Day and All Souls Day
In the month of October, Family Formation only meets once, due to MEA Break. As a result, there are no in-person session resources for this session, BUT we have provided home resources for the second half of October, focused on All Saints and All Souls Days (November 1 and 2).
Family Toolbox Resources
Here you will find all the Family home resources for October 16-November 4, to be used in bringing All Saints Day and All Souls Day to life in your family’s faith practices. Pick and choose what is best for you, and remember: The Christian life does not need to be complicated but it should be intentional. So, come up with a plan that is well-suited to your family’s needs.
You will find all of the digital options in the Toolbox below, to make navigating them easier. All of these resources can also be found using the QR codes in the Toolbox Guide.
Here you will find all the materials for the November 5th session of Family Formation, for families who might have missed the session or to review and download digital versions of the Home Materials.
Parent Crash Course
What does the Church really teach about the Trinity and God the Father? This video covers the foundational teachings of the Church about the Trinity and God the Father.
Here you will find all the Family home resources for November 5-18, to be used in bringing our God the Father Lesson home and building it into your family’s faith practices. Pick and choose what is best for you, and remember: The Christian life does not need to be complicated but it should be intentional. So, come up with a plan that is well-suited to your family’s needs.
You will find all of the digital options in the Toolbox below, to make navigating them easier. All of these resources can also be found using the QR codes in the Toolbox Guide.
Here you will find all the materials for the November 19th session of Family Formation, for families who might have missed the session or to review and download digital versions of the Home Materials.
Looking back over the past couple of weeks, consider the following questions:
How have the past few weeks gone? Did you try something different from the toolbox, something you might not normally do as a family? How did it go?
Have any of you read or listened to the parent resources in the Deeper Learning section? Did you learn something new by doing that?
Parent Crash Course
Why Did the Son of God come to Earth? This video covers the foundational teachings of the Incarnation and why Jesus came, in order to assist us in leading our children through the season of Advent.
Looking ahead to the Advent Season to begin, consider the following questions:
Does your family have any Advent traditions? What are they?
In the past, have you tried to live the Advent season liturgically – as a special season of living your Catholic faith? Have you been able to focus on making a bit more room for Jesus in your lives? What ideas do you have to do that this year?
Family Toolbox Resources
Here you will find all the Family home resources for November 19 through December 3, to be used in bringing our Following Jesus Lesson home and building it into your family’s faith practices. Pick and choose what is best for you, and remember: The Christian life does not need to be complicated but it should be intentional. So, come up with a plan that is well-suited to your family’s needs.
You will find all of the digital options in the Toolbox below, to make navigating them easier. All of these resources can also be found using the QR codes in the Toolbox Guide.
Here you will find all the materials for the December 3rd session of Family Formation, for families who might have missed the session or to review and download digital versions of the Home Materials.
Looking back over the past couple of weeks, consider the following questions:
How have the past couple of weeks gone with the toolbox materials? Did any of the activities bring your family joy or laughter?
Over the past couple of months, has your family watched any of the recommended videos or movies? Did your family discuss them afterwards? What did you learn from each other?
Parent Crash Course
Through his Passion, death, and Resurrection, we are saved through Jesus’ gift of Salvation.? This video covers the foundational teachings of Redemption and the Universal Call to Holiness.
Did you start a devotional for Advent? If so, which one did you chose and how has it been these first few days? If not, are you doing or planning something else to help you prepare room for Jesus in your life?
Although this session’s toolbox only includes St Nicholas, there are a few other feast days that many celebrate this month: St Lucy, St Ambrose, St Juan Diego, Our Lady of Guadalupe. Do you celebrate any of these? If so, how?
Family Toolbox Resources
Here you will find all the Family home resources for December 3 through December 17, to be used in bringing our Salvation Lesson home and building it into your family’s faith practices. Pick and choose what is best for you, and remember: The Christian life does not need to be complicated but it should be intentional. So, come up with a plan that is well-suited to your family’s needs.
You will find all of the digital options in the Toolbox below, to make navigating them easier. All of these resources can also be found using the QR codes in the Toolbox Guide.
Here you will find all the materials for the December 17th session of Family Formation, for families who might have missed the session or to review and download digital versions of the Home Materials.
Looking back over the past couple of weeks, consider the following questions:
Are you finding ways to keep Advent a more restful and prayerful time? In what ways are you being pulled away from that? Any tips for resisting such temptations?
What is one special winter season tradition your family practices? Was this tradition inherited, one that evolved, or one that your family intentionally created?
Parent Crash Course
Who is the Holy Spirit, and Why does He matter? This video covers the foundational teachings of the Holy Spirit and His role in our lives.
Crash Course: The Holy Spirit
Share one or two gifts that you have recently received or noticed from the Lord. (These could be insights, answered prayers, direction, etc.)
How familiar are you with the Holy Spirit? Have you noticed times when the Holy Spirit has moved in your life, helped you with prayer, or spoken to or for you?
Looking ahead to the Advent Season to begin, consider the following questions:
Does your family have any Advent traditions? What are they?
In the past, have you tried to live the Advent season liturgically – as a special season of living your Catholic faith? Have you been able to focus on making a bit more room for Jesus in your lives? What ideas do you have to do that this year?
Family Toolbox Resources
Here you will find all the Family home resources for December 17 through January 7, to be used in bringing our Holy Spirit Lesson home and building it into your family’s faith practices. Pick and choose what is best for you, and remember: The Christian life does not need to be complicated but it should be intentional. So, come up with a plan that is well-suited to your family’s needs.
You will find all of the digital options in the Toolbox below, to make navigating them easier. All of these resources can also be found using the QR codes in the Toolbox Guide.
Here you will find all the materials for the January 7th session of Family Formation, for families who might have missed the session or to review and download digital versions of the Home Materials.
Looking back over the past couple of weeks, consider the following questions:
What brought you joy or laughter during your recent family celebrations?
Did you or a family member have an opportunity to practice mercy? Were any family relationships strengthened during family experiences or celebrations?
Do you have any tips for returning the family to normal routines post-holidays?
Parent Crash Course
Annual Safety Lesson
Each year all youth participating in Faith Formation in Parishes and Catholic schools around the country must complete a safety lesson, mandated by the USCCB and our local archdiocese. This year, this lesson is an at home lesson in order to allow you as parents to customize it to your child’s needs and your family’s household rules/expectations. Your family will be free to complete the brief lesson activities at your leisure and return the completed lesson by March 4th.
Were you able to do anything from the last toolbox? Are you hoping to still do something from a past one?
Anyone have a story to share about a family member’s baptism?
Does your family already have an annual baptism celebration tradition? If yes, what do you do?
Family Toolbox Resources
Here you will find all the Family home resources for December 17 through January 7, to be used in bringing our Holy Spirit Lesson home and building it into your family’s faith practices. Pick and choose what is best for you, and remember: The Christian life does not need to be complicated but it should be intentional. So, come up with a plan that is well-suited to your family’s needs.
You will find all of the digital options in the Toolbox below, to make navigating them easier. All of these resources can also be found using the QR codes in the Toolbox Guide.
Here you will find all the materials for the January 21 session of Family Formation, for families who might have missed the session or to review and download digital versions of the Home Materials.
Looking back over the past couple of weeks, consider the following questions:
Does your family have any traditions that help you get through the depth of winter>
What are you grateful for today?
Parent Crash Course
Video Coming Soon
What level of discipleship do you think you are at? Have you noticed in yourself or family members a non-linear journey of discipleship?
What obstacles for moving forward in your discipleship journey do you foresee or perhaps are even now experiencing? (Consider your own journey as well as your children’s).
Did you have any surprising or fun toolbox experiences these past few weeks?
Is there anything in this sessions Discipleship toolbox that looks of interest to you?
Family Toolbox Resources
Here you will find all the Family home resources for January 21 through February 4, to be used in bringing the Discipleship Lesson home and building it into your family’s faith practices. Pick and choose what is best for you, and remember: The Christian life does not need to be complicated but it should be intentional. So, come up with a plan that is well-suited to your family’s needs.
You will find all of the digital options in the Toolbox below, to make navigating them easier. All of these resources can also be found using the QR codes in the Toolbox Guide.
Big Changes for Saul | Formed: tells the story of Paul’s conversion from an enemy of the new Church to an evangelist for God.
Temple of Love | Formed: Join Nicholas, a young man growing up in Corinth during the ministry of the Apostle Paul, as he struggles to understand and live his faith. Based on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Corinthians.
Deeper Learning for Parents:
Parent Videos:
God Doesn’t Call the Equipped (an Archdiocesan video) Archbishop Hebda reminds us that we are often called before we feel ready for certain changes or journeys in our lives. However, God will equip us if He’s calling us!
How to Pick Up Your CrossFather Mike: discusses Jesus’ condition for discipleship, the trap of thinking harder is holier, active and passive purification, and the power of embracing your cross.
How to Say Yes to GodSometimes God calls us at seemingly inconvenient moments. Father Mark-Mary and Brother Malachy share their thoughts and experiences when God barges into their lives every day to remind them that their initial yes implies a daily yes to do his will, even when they’d rather be sleeping!
Following Christ: A Call to Radical Discipleship“To follow Christ is the essence of the Christian vocation. It is an invitation to embark on a transformative journey…Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of various pope’s and various saint’s provide to each of us, very profound insights into what it means to answer this call.”
Transformative DiscipleshipWhen you feel called to step up much higher as a disciple, this is a good place to start. The Focus site has an entire series of articles, called Foundations for Discipleship to help you on the journey.
