The St James Cathedral parish Children’s Faith Formation (CFF) department provides ongoing faith formation for children age 4 through grade 8, as well as sacramental preparation for children preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion and older children preparing for Baptism.  In addition, CFF partners with the Youth Minstry team to facilitate a class for children with special needs.

Our aim is to support parents and guardians in their vital role as the first and foremost teachers of faith for their children.  Our programs are open to all young people, whether they are Catholic or not, and whether they are attending a Catholic or public school.  Together with our pastor, Father Ryan, the staff and volunteers of the CFF programs seek to provide opportunities for children, youth and their parents and families to grow in their relationship with Jesus and the Church in order that they may live the Gospel fully at home, at school, at work and in the world.

The 2016-2017 sessions take place most Sundays from September 11, 2016 through June 11, 2017, with five additional Saturday sessions for sacramental preparation.  Sunday sessions are from 11:00am to 11:45am on the Cathedral campus.

For more information, contact Brenda Bellamy at bbellamy@stjames-cathedral.org or (206) 274-3108.

• Download the registration form (DOCX)
• Download the registration form (PDF)
• Download the CFF 2016-2017 Calendar
• Payment/Donation for materials can be made here: https://www.stjames-cathedral.org/businesscenter/faithformationdonation.aspx

Safe Environment Policy

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Sacramental Preparation
First Reconciliation and First Communion

This is a two-year program for younger children. 

• Sacramental Preparation 1 (Sac Prep 1, the first year)
  • Children this group are 1st graders who have been active in the Sunday School program at St James, or are 1st graders who are new to St James, or are children ages 6-8 who have not been catechized or who have not participated in some formal sacramental preparation in a parish.  All children in this group have been baptized in the Catholic Church.
• Sacramental Preparation 2 (Sac Prep 2, the second year)
  • Children this group have participated fully in Sac Prep 1, or have been well catechized, e.g., they attend a Catholic school or they have participated in formal sacramental preparation in another parish.
  • Children in this group celebrate First Reconciliation in the winter and First Communion in the spring of this second year.
  • Parents and guardians participate in six Sunday morning classes as well as three Sunday afternoon sessions together with their child(ren).

Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist for Older Children and Youth (RCIA/C)

• RCIA/C is for young people who desire, with the consent and support of their parents and guardians, to become fully-initiated Catholics.
• There are three groups of young people in RCIA/C: those aged 7-17 who have never been Baptized, those aged 7-17 who have been baptized in another Christian tradition, and those aged 9-17 who have been baptized in the Catholic Church but who have received little or no formal religious instruction.
• In addition, St James Cathedral and O’Dea High School partner together to provide RCIA during the school day for young men attending O’Dea.

Young people who are at least 16 years old and who have been baptized and received First Communion are invited to prepare for this Sacrament. Contact Joe Cotton for information.
 

Ministry Opportunities for Young People

St. James Cathedral provides many opportunities for children to serve in their faith community. Our catechists recognize that sometimes, children may need to leave the classroom early to serve at Mass. An adult escorts them as a group to the church.

• YOUTH READERS serve by reading at the Sunday Masses. Theresa Van de Ven, 206-219-5822
• ALTAR SERVERS assist by serving at the Sunday Masses.  Corinna Laughlin, 206-622-3559 ext. 3996
• YOUTH EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION.  Youth who have been confirmed serve in this capacity on Youth Sundays.  Corinna Laughlin, 206-622-3559 ext. 3996
• MUSIC PROGRAM (Youth Choirs) invites children to participate in its children's choirs. Stacey Sunde, Director of Youth Music, 206-382-4874
   

• Brenda Bellamy, Faith Formation Assistant, 206-274-3108
• Curtis Leighton, Youth Minister, 206-264-2082
• Theresa Van de Ven, Administrative Assistant, 206-219-5822