St James Cathedral's Children’s Faith Formation (CFF)
department provides ongoing faith formation for children age 3 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 sessions take place most Sundays from September through June, with five additional Saturday sessions for sacramental
preparation. Sunday sessions are from 11:00am to 11:45am on the
Cathedral campus.
Sunday Sessions begin immediately following the 10am Mass on Sundays (around 11:10am), and go to approximately 12:15pm. We offer classes for kids age 3 through High
School, as well as a class for children with special needs
Liturgies
Children’s Liturgy of the
Word (CLW)
CLW occurs during the Noon Mass. Young people are invited to the Cathedral
Chapel for their own Liturgy of the Word. The Bible readings, reflection,
and prayers that occur in CLW are adapted especially for children ages 4 – 12.
Young people then rejoin their families for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Youth Sundays
Once or twice a month at the Noon Mass, all children and youth are invited to
join in the formal entrance procession at the beginning of Mass. In
addition, young people are invited to serve as readers, ushers, altar servers
and choristers. Youth who have been confirmed are invited to serve as
extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion as well.
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.
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.
Youth Confirmation
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 Jennifer Wong 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
St James Cathedral's Children’s Faith Formation (CFF)
department provides ongoing faith formation for children age 3 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.
