Family Faith Formation

Faith Formation registration 2021-2022

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Para obtener información en español, ingrese aquí.

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The Cathedral is now Accepting Families for Faith Formation for the 2021/2022 Year.
IN PERSON Orientation and Formation for Parents begins in September with Family-focused formation beginning in October. 

All formation will in person, God willing. Please pray that we all stay healthy!

How to Register | Cómo registrarse

Family Faith Formation Registration / Inscripcion de formación de Fe Familiar:

Registrations, please fill out the following form, or online  

1.  REGISTRATION FORM     (en Espanol)

2.  Indemnity Form      (en Espanol)

Please complete the above - in English o en Espanol - and submit to:

email:  Sr. Lisa Marie Doty, FdCC (click to open email client)

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Families will be asked for copies of child/ren's baptismal certificate(s) if not already on file. Se les pedirá a las familias copias del certificado de bautismo de los niños si aún no están en el archivo.

or by mail / drop off:

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

Family Faith Formation

1017 11th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

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Once registered, please submit your payment here:

Después de enviar el registro, envíe su pago aquí: 

Catholic Family Faith Formation

What is Family Faith Formation?

Wanting to honor the parents' role as the first educator of their children's faith, we are transitioning our program to a Family-centered formation. We are introducing "A Family of Faith", a four-year cycle of family formation, where parents are given a detailed picture of authentic and vibrant Catholic family life, and given the tools to help them succeed at being the religious educators that they already are. Family Faith Formation will support parents in the religious formation and education of their children through instruction, prayer experiences, retreats, and community building events. 

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What about Sacramental Preparation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion)?

The program also includes preparation for the Sacraments of Penance (Confession), First Eucharist (First Communion) and Confirmation. When a child is ready, sometime after 2nd grade (for Penance and First Eucharist) and after 8th Grade (for Confirmation), and having at least two years of formation, they may apply   for preparation for the Sacrament needed. 

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What about teaching the faith by grade levels?

No matter how good a program is, classroom catechesis only works in the context of a faithful community. One percent of a child’s life can’t overcome the other ninety-nine. When faith formation is limited to the classroom, its impact is not only lessened - it can make the faith appear irrelevant to life, with it just another hoop to jump through to get those sacraments checked off.  Studies show that creating strong Catholic families through involvement of parents helps young people see their faith alive and a part of their daily experience.  

This represents a radical role reversal in typical Catholic religious education, but it’s really just an application of the Church’s mandate to form adults so that families can catechize their young. When this occurs, children are taught the faith as a way of life and not just as a weekly class.

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Structure

Families will commit to coming  two times a month for formation at the Cathedral; there will be various day/times available for formation. The first meeting of the month will begin with prayer together and have children go to learning rooms at the parish while parents receive their presentation on the same topic of faith. The second meeting of the month the family will remain together for the formation and discussion of faith with other families. This structural change is to benefit the building up of community, encouraging parents to pray for one another and share faith. 

Youth Ministry

​For youth in 7th grade or older, we will structure Youth Ministry, where they learn to pray, read scripture, grow in faith with other youth with a focus of deepening their discipleship as followers of Jesus. Youth in need of the Sacrament of Confirmation may apply for Sacramental prep after completing at least one full year of youth ministry formation.

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For more information, please contact Sister Lisa Marie Doty, FDCC

The Rite of Christian Initiation Program

R.C.I.A. is designed for individuals who, after hearing the Mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the Living God through the Catholic Church, and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts. By God’s help, they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation, and at the proper time will receive the Sacraments of Initiation, which includes Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

If you are over 18 years old, register for R.C.I.A. by filling out the Registration Form and submitting it by email to RCIA Inquiry or mail it to the cathedral office.

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​R.C.I.A. is also available for teens and children. They will be followed up by a member of the RCIA Team as they participate with their families in the Family Formation.

You may register your child through the Family Faith Formation process at top of this page.

Catechesis Formation Program

The handing on of faith - to catechize - is the responsibility of all of us baptized Christians. There are those within our community who are called to help hand on the faith in more formal ways as Catechists. Some serve in bringing children and their families to faith in our Family Faith Formation. Others serve those inquiring in initial stages of belief in the RCIA. Still others serve to lead adults to deeper faith through Bible Studies, courses on Spirituality and prayer groups. The Cathedral Catechist formation provides opportunities for catechists to grow in their spiritual life and their vocation as one who hand on the faith to others. 

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To become a Catechist, download and complete the Catechist Application and mail it to:

Sr. Lisa Marie Doty, FDCC

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacramento

1017 11th Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

Requirements of Catechists:​

• Obtain Diocesan Certification within 3 years of beginning your service.

• Catechists are required to complete the Catechist Formation Program and receive Diocesan certification. For individuals who already have responded to a call to ministry as a catechist, the Diocese of Sacramento is requiring that they become Diocesan-certified within 3 years. Basic certification includes doctrinal development through a prescribed number of study hours in spirituality and theology as well as a basic presentation of the social sciences (consistent with the National Directory for Catechesis, 55).

• Update child-safety training every 3 years. 

• Maintain a fruitful prayer life. 

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, in collaboration with Diocese sponsors a series of workshops throughout the pastoral year to support candidates’ development in catechetical formation and to prepare them for Diocesan certification. These workshops are designed to prepare the candidate spiritually and theologically to witness and share their faith with the children and adults to whom they minister. 

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New in 2021, Catechists will have the opportunity to take some of their training/updating online with Franciscan University.

To begin the application process, download the Catechist Application and mail it to the cathedral office.

Liturgy of the Word for Children

Liturgy of the Word is currently suspended and we are rethinking the best ways we can be sharing the Word of God with the Cathedral children. In the meantime, we are offering a Saturday morning alternative "Breakfast with God". This is a program available for children of all ages, every Saturday on Zoom at 8:00 am. This program provides children with age appropriate explanations of the Sunday readings and gives parents with young children an opportunity to focus on the Scripture readings and the homily in a light-hearted community atmosphere. Fr. O'Reilly and his little dog Buzz make frequent visits to Breakfast with God to share their wisdom with us. 

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For more information or to register:  Breakfast with God

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

A distinct Montessori-based approach to Christian formation, through which children as young as three form deep, lifelong relationships with Christ. For more information, visit www.youngsheep.org, or call 916-910-3435. 

Spanish Parents Group Leaders of the Blessed Sacrament

We meet once a week to prepare for classes for parents of children in family faith formation. We design our curriculum under the supervision of the Director of Education, Sister Lisa Marie, and organize extracurricular activities. Bring to class topics of interest based on the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We talk about "News from our Pope", the life of the saints, Our Mother Mary, the Church and the Trinity. Our extracurricular activities bring the community together, including picnics twice a year, a Christmas play, Las Posadas (an Advent celebration), and more. For more information contact: Leticia Hilbert.

Religious Education for Spanish Speaking Adults

Seeking to expand opportunities for adults to include Bible studies, small group discussions of faith, exploration of spirituality, and more. More information coming soon.

For more information, contact Sister Lisa Marie Doty, FDCC,

Director of  Family Faith Formation and Education

at the Faith Formation Office, or 916-444-5364

Please submit printed forms to:

Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament - CFF Office

1017 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814