FAITH FORMATION

Faith Formation endeavors in our parish shall support and strengthen the work of the Spirit to:

• Nurture a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Foster an ever-deepening understanding of the Gospel.
• Build on the Traditions of our Catholic faith.

  We will serve the parish by providing opportunities to foster a sense of spiritual vitality for all age and ability levels. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, these efforts will lead to wisdom, as well as personal and social transformation.

ADULT Faith Formation (18+) 

• Small faith-sharing groups are available at various days and times at both church sites. 
• For more information on adult faith formation at Holy Spirit parish, please contact Carolyn Houston at carolyn.houston@portlanddiocese.org. 

YOUTH Faith Formation (pre-school through high school)

    It is the philosophy of the parish that parents are the primary teachers of their children, and the parish supports that role. The most important means of support is through the celebration of weekly Mass, when the community comes together to nurture one another and to be nourished by Jesus Christ through his Word and his Body.  For some families, involving their children in children’s Liturgy of the Word or having them assist at Mass (when available), has helped in strengthening a sense of belonging and ownership in the Mass in their children.  

Nurturing our parish children’s friendship with Jesus is the ultimate aim of Youth Faith Formation, and the parish will provide various service, prayer, and educational opportunities to help children better understand who Jesus is, and what Jesus has called us all to do. For further details, please review the parish Faith Formation Family Handbook and/or contact Carolyn Houston at carolyn.houston@portlanddiocese.org.
 

     Three years ago, our parish launched an intergenerational faith formation endeavor that was very well received by participants over the two years the sessions took place. The pandemic restrictions prohibited us from continuing with the Journey in Faith sessions last academic year, but we are offering it again this year with a few changes and safety precautions in place.
     This intergenerational family format is the foundation for what the parish envisions for faith formation in the future.  The family is the Domestic Church and the primary catechists for Catholic children.
     These sessions will involve parishioners of every age, pre-school through adult.  We’ll gather together for some refreshment, prayer, and then break into age-appropriate faith formation groups on the same topic. 
     We are called to form our faith as well as our community.  Our mission as Catholics is to grow closer to Jesus, and to share His story with others.  These Journey in Faith sessions will enable us to learn more while evangelizing one another as a faith family.  They will also assist us in recognizing how we are called to bring the love of Jesus to our wider community as well.
     The dates for the Journey in Faith sessions are listed below. We hope that you will enter these dates in your calendar, and plan to join other members of your faith family for catechesis and community-building. 
     In order to ensure enough supplies and adult supervision, we need to know if adults are bringing their children or grandchildren to the child-component of the program by the Wednesday before the event.
     
 Date/Time                              Location         Topic                          Faciliatator

November 7^th, 3-5pm         St. Mary’s     Reconciliation         Dan Mahoney     
December 12^th, 3-5pm       St. Martha     Baptism                  Dr. Matt McDonnell  
January 23^rd, 3-5pm           St. Mary’s     Confirmation           Dan Mahoney     
March 6^th, 3-5pm               St. Martha     Eucharist                 Dr. Mary Colombo
April 3^rd, 3-5pm                  St. Mary’s      Anointing of the      Paula Moses
                                                                 Sick
May 1^st, 3-5pm                  St. Martha     Matrimony               Fr. Fred Morse
                                                                & Holy Orders              

Registration for youth faith formation (religious education) for the 2021-2022 academic year for kindergarten through high school is ongoing. Youth classes begin on Sunday, September 26. While we hope to offer classes for kindergarten through seventh grade at both church sites on Sunday morning, and at St. Mary's on Monday afternoon, classes will depend on the availability of volunteer catechists and enrollment. The 8th - 12th-grade classes will take place on Sunday mornings at St. Mary with carpooling from St. Martha. Classes are provided for children of all abilities, including those who have developmental, intellectual, sensory, physical, or behavioral disabilities.
Registration is required for all children, regardless of age, or whether they have participated in Faith Formation at Holy Spirit Parish previously.
Preparation for Confirmation and First Communion is a two-year process (typically in 1st & 2nd grade), thus families are encouraged to enroll their pre-school and kindergarten-aged children in the programs in order to develop familiarity with faith formation prior to the sacramental preparation years. Faith Formation Family Handbooks with registration forms can be reviewed and downloaded here and hard copies are available in the church offices and narthexes. The handbook contains an academic calendar, a description of programs and policies, and other faith formation-related information.
For additional information, please contact Carolyn Houston at 646-5605, 985-6252, or Carolyn.Houston@portlanddiocese.org.

 Rocky Railway Vacation Bible School was a wonderful week where many new friendships were formed. Please check out all of the photos from the week on the Holy Spirit Parish Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/holyspiritmaine)!!  The week ended with Mass, and all participants were sent forth to continue to spread the Good News!
Many thanks to our amazing teen leaders: Elli Cyr, Cyrus Dyer, Emma Houston, Michael Moseley, Nolan Perry, Teagan Perry, Ben Rizzo, Madison Rizzo, Ragan Schank, Thomas Spencer, Colby White and Norah Wolf. Thanks also to the dedicated adult leaders: Erin Cyr, Paula Dyer, Jessica Grimes, Laurel Hazlett, Carolyn Houston, Dan Mahoney, Melissa Perry, Claire Souliere, and Lisa White.

Congratulations to the sixteen children (and their families) who received the Sacraments of Confirmation and Eucharist on Sunday afternoon, June 6th.  
Many thanks to photographer Larry Ryan for the photographs of the Sacrament celebration!