Faith Formation is the practice of exploring, nurturing, and developing our belief in God and the way we live our lives. Our faith is always in a process of growth, it never reaches final completion. A wide variety of opportunities are available to nurture your faith.
A current catechist shared with us:
“When I was first felt called to become a catechist, I was concerned. Would I be good enough? Did I know enough about the Catholic faith? However, I didn’t have those answers. Instead, I trusted God’s calling and signed up. I quickly learned that the program in place was solid. The faith formation staff was incredibly supportive, and I had no reason to be concerned. The students are a joy to be around.”
Happenings in Faith Formation….
See photo description at bottom of photos.
MARCH 2023
FEBRUARY 2023
This class heard from BOTH Fr. Colin and Fr. Phong
from one of the first-grade classrooms.
Nursery
The nursery is provided for infants and toddlers (Birth to 3 years) during the 11:00 AM Mass. Children are cared for in a safe, loving, fun, and comfortable environment, which allows parents an opportunity for worship with less distraction.
Registration forms are available when you bring your child to the nursery or complete one beforehand in the Faith Formation office.
Sunday School
Holy Redeemer Parish is able to provide a Sunday school program for children age 4 through Kindergarten during the 11:00 AM Mass.
This Fall – May program is designed to acquaint the young child with God’s love for him/her and the unique gifts God gives each person.
In order for Faith Formation Office to try and honor special requests (including preferred day and time), forms must be completed and turned in by September 10th, 2023.
Faith Formation will start October 3rd or 8th. Click here to view full Faith Formation Calendar!
All children planning to receive First Communion in Spring 2024 must have this form completed by November 26, 2023.
If you questions please contact Marija Bilic at mbilic@holyredeemerparish.org
We also have printed registration forms in the Faith Formation Office and throughout church!
(All adult volunteers are VIRTUS trained and background checked. For more information, please go to www.virtus.org)
Young Adults (Single or married, high school graduates through 39 years of age)
Young adult ministry in the Catholic Church connects young adults with:
- Jesus Christ, fostering personal growth in faith as disciples;
- the church, by inviting and welcoming their presence in the Christian community;
- the mission of the church in the world; and
- a peer community in which their faith is nurtured and strengthened
Often, the first community that Catholics connect with is the parish. This may be where they were baptized, where they stop by when they are in town, or where they hope to marry. Pastoral ministry for young adults in our parishes provides a “home” where they can more personally experience their faith
Ministries in the Diocese of Grand Rapids
Following are links to other ministries in our diocese providing programming and a community:
Veritas
Veritas is a back-to-basics, fun, and spirit-filled weekend designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the Catholic Faith while learning how to live for God in our complex world.
Catholic Connect
Catholic Connect is a faith-sharing group for young adults (ages 20-35) seeking to grow closer to God and understand the Catholic faith. Through Bible study, praise and worship, service, and fellowship, young adults are connected to others who share their passion to learn and grow closer to Christ. Connect meets weekly on Wednesday nights from 7:30-9 p.m. at Holy Spirit Parish, and adults of all faith levels are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Connect at catholicconnect@gmail.com.
Youth group is Sunday nights in the Window Room from 6:45pm-8:30pm. We have food, friends, fun, and fellowship, so please come join us! All 9th – 12th graders are welcome (and encouraged) to join! If you have any friends who are in that age range who would like to come, even if they aren’t part of Holy Redeemer Parish (or even Catholic), feel free to bring them! The more the merrier!
The purpose of Youth Ministry is to provide opportunities for our youth to become more aware of who they are as Catholics, learn how they can actively be disciples of Christ, deepen their relationship with their God, and bring the Gospel message to others.
As approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops and stated in the document, Renewing the Vision, our Youth Ministry aims to:
- Empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today,
- Draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community, and
- Foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person.
Spiritual Life: Youth Ministry at Holy Redeemer Parish creates a space for youth to encounter Christ in Sacrament and relationship, and to learn how God is calling them to respond to His love in their day-to-day lives. Through prayer, Sacraments, retreats, and conferences, we raise our hearts and minds to our Lord and find fulfillment in our Source and Summit, Christ in the Eucharist.
Community: As a vibrant Catholic community, we spur each other on to love and good works while having lots of wholesome fun! Together, we stand strong. A Christian alone is a Christian in danger. As unique members of the body of Christ, the Lord calls us out of ourselves to love one another.
Faith Formation: Our high school group forms disciples through authentic Christ-centered relationships. Dynamic youth nights enliven the truths of our Catholic faith as we grow in relationship with Christ and each other.
Stewardship: The Lord has blessed us with material, spiritual, and personal gifts. In response, we glorify God by ministering in the Liturgy and by living out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. High School youth regularly pack food for Hand2Hand Ministries and food drives.
*Permission forms are available (when events planned) in the Faith Formation office or the Youth Ministry bulletin board in Shepherds Hall hallway or check out the bulletin for any links! Permission forms for off-site events are mandatory for all participants, including non-parishioners.
Attending both Youth Group and Faith Formation is highly encouraged as you’re sure to have fun and grow in your faith during BOTH! To register your 6th—12th graders for Faith Formation AND Youth Group click the link below! As a reminder, youth group does not replace faith formation.
Spiritual Life: CROSSROADS Youth Ministry Rally, Shine Youth Rally, Confirmation Retreat, Diocesan Youth Events, and more.
Formation: 6th , 7th and 8th grades follow the Finding God Curriculum and in preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Community: Holy Redeemer Youth Ministry Kickoff, Ice Breakers, retreats, Escape Room Events, small group discussions at Youth Nights, Shine Youth Rally, and more!
Possible Stewardship Opportunities: Altar Serving, Youth Ensemble, Youth Choir, Parish picnic, Knights of Columbus Fish-Fry’s, Coffee and Donuts, Trunk or Treat, and many other opportunities throughout the year.
Sacrament of Confirmation: Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year process. Over the course of two years, Confirmation Candidates work through the Spirit of Truth Curriculums which provide the foundation for well-rounded catechesis. The Sacrament of Confirmation may be celebrated when a candidate is in the eighth grade or older.
IMPACT Junior High Youth Group (6th – 8th Grade): this group has an opportunity to pray together and discuss matters of the faith in Christ-centered small groups. Youth group is Sunday nights in the Window Room from 5pm-6:30pm. We have food, friends, fun, and fellowship, so please come join us! All 6th – 8th graders are welcome (and encouraged) to join! If you have any friends who are in that age range who would like to come, even if they aren’t part of Holy Redeemer Parish (or even Catholic), feel free to bring them! The more the merrier!
In order for Faith Formation Office to try and honor special requests (including preferred day and time), forms must be completed and turned in by September 10th, 2023.
Faith Formation will start October 3rd or 8th.
It is our belief that learning and growing in our faith is a lifelong journey. As a parish and as part of the CROSSROADS Parishes, we are excited to offer the following opportunities for adults.
Adult Bible Studies
We offer opportunities to study and reflect on Sacred Scripture in two different timetables during the academic year: Tuesday Morning & Tuesday Evening. This is a wonderful way to gather with others to study and reflect on Sacred Scripture while offering support to one another as Catholic Christians living in our world. Contact the parish office to sign up.
CROSSROADS Parishes
An avenue of Adult Faith Formation in collaboration with our neighboring parishes: Holy Name of Jesus, Holy Redeemer, St. Pius X, and St. Sebastian. This alliance allows us to offer a variety of opportunities in an array of times and settings.
Watch the bulletin for additional opportunities.