ST. PHILIP'S CATHOLIC CHURCH - BEMIDJI, MN
WELCOME
RELIGIOUS FORMATION ~ Helping our children and youth
to grow in their Catholic faith
Faith Formation is a lifetime journey for everyone – at every age and stage of life. We believe that faith formation occurs within a family and community. Faith formation begins with our baptism. The day a person is baptized, he or she begins a wonderful journey of faith.
Parents are and will continue to be the most important person of faith for your child. St. Philip’s Religious Formation offers classes for children and youth to assist you in your child’s faith journey – to help them grow in their Catholic Faith.
Religious Formation classes are primarily for children/youth who attend public schools; however any child/youth is welcome to attend Religious Formation classes. Please note that children preparing for First Reconciliation and/or First Eucharist must either be attending Religious Formation classes or St. Philip's School. Youth in High School should be attending Religious Formation classes starting in 9th grade to begin their preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The Confirmation program is a three year program and attendance in Religious Formation class during the three years is expected.
St. Philip's Religious Formation is proud to be your partner in sharing the Catholic faith with your child.
For more information on St. Philip’s Religious Formation, please contact the Religious Formation Office at 444-5849.
STAFF
Kris Jensen - Religious Formation Office – 444-5849 e-mail kjensen@stphilipsbemidji.org
(Religious Formation Office is located on the second floor of the St. Philip’s School)
Elementary Religious Formation, High School Religious Formation, Preschool Sunday School, Children's Liturgy of the Word, Vacation Bible School, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation and Coordinator Safe Environment.
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News/Annoucements/Events:
Religious Formation Classes start Wednesday, September 28th!
Religious Formation Class Registrationwill be held September 10th and 11th before and after all Masses. Parents can also register this summer at the Religious Formation Office, call first 444-5849 to make sure Kris is in.
Confirmation Parent Session will be held Wednesday, 
September 14, 6:30 p.m. at the Social Hall. This session is for parents of 11th graders who will be confirmed this spring.
First Reconciliation Parent Sessions will be held Thursday, 
September 15 at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday,September 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the Social Hall. This Parent Session is for parents who will be preparing their child (2nd grade or older) for First Reconciliation. A parent must attend one of the sessions in order for the child to receive the sacrament. The Parent Session includes an overview of the sacrament and the preparation program. The session will last approximately an hour and a half. Please contact Kris Jensen if you have questions or are unable to attend.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
Children Kindergarten through 1st grade gather during the Sunday, 9:00 Liturgy to hear the Gospel reading and reflect on the reading at their age level from September through May. Registration is not necessary. Children’s Liturgy of the Word does not take the place of Religious Formation Classes.
ELEMENTARY RELIGIOUS FORMATION
Elementary Religious Formation class sessions
are held on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m.
at St. Philip’s School, September – April.
The Elementary Program will be using the curriculum series, Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts, Loyola Press. Lessons will be sent home each week. All five grade levels follow five overarching themes of God, Jesus, the Church, the Sacraments, and Morality, each grade level has its own general focus.
Grade 1 – God is our Creator and loves us as our Father
Grade 2 – We prepare for the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist
Grade 3 – God calls us to live in community as members of the Church
Grade 4 – God calls us to lead a moral life
Grade 5 – Through the Sacraments we live more fully in the Holy Spirit
Each lesson engages the children by starting from typical moments in their own lives and inviting them to join in a prayer of petition. The children then explore Scripture and Tradition, they discuss their faith, and they extend their relationship with God through reflective prayer. Each lesson ends with a discussion of how to act upon what they have learned, and children join in a prayer of gratitude for God’s gifts.
Home Study for Elementary Children
Every child and family situation is different. If for some reason the traditional classroom setting does not meet your needs, you may consider Home Study. Home Study is an option for children in first grade and for elementary aged children who absolutely cannot attend on Wednesday evenings. Children preparing for a sacrament cannot take part in the Home Study option; he/she must be enrolled in Wednesday evening Religious Formation classes. The registration fee is the same for the Home Study as for children in the classroom. Register for the Home Study option at the Parent/Registration Night. Home Study curriculum is the same curriculum used in the classroom.
Middle School (The EDGE) Religious Formation class sessions
are held on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
at St. Philip’s School Gym and Parsih School Rooms, September – April
The Middle School Program is for students in grades 6 - 8. Each night we will gather as a large group for a time of prayer and learning on a topic of faith. Students will also break into small groups for further exploration of the topic in an age-appropriate manner. Our curriculum will run in a three-year rotation and will include topics such as: exploring people of the Bible, reflection on Jesus’ life ministry and teachings, discovering what it means to be Catholic, and reflection on the Sacraments. This year we will start the year off studying the Liturgy: its history and the different parts of Mass. Each year we take class time to explore the truths of Catholic morality, and providing opportunities to act on social justice issues (service projects).
High School Religious Formation class sessions
are held on Wednesday evenings, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
at St. Philip’s Social Hall (grades 9-10)
and Holy Spirit Newman Center on the BSU Campus (grade 11),
September – April
The High School Program is a three-year Confirmation program for students in grades 9 - 11. It is very important for High Schoolers to attend each year of Religious Formation. 9th graders will grow in their faith and knowledge about The Creed and Prayer. 10th graders will discuss and learn about Christian Morality and Prayer. 11th graders will be nourished and informed on a variety of topics in preparation to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
The curriculum used for high school – Total Catechesis, St. Mary’s Press and The Catholic Faith Handbook for Youth, St. Mary’s Press.
To contact us:
St. Philip's Catholic Church, 702 Beltrami Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-444-4262 Fax: 218-444-1381 E-mail: rector@stphilipsbemidji.org
