Faith Formation for Children and Teens
Saint Martin of Tours Sunday Morning Faith Formation Program
serves the children and teens of Saint Martin’s parish, as well as
some from various other parishes. Classes for young people in
grades K through high school are held on Sunday mornings, shortly
after the 9:30 Mass has ended, and run from 10:45 until 12 noon.
Within this hour and fifteen minutes, we endeavor to cover the
material in our religion textbooks and also have a little extra time
to incorporate a fun activity that reinforces the faith lesson learned
(i.e., coloring and crafts for younger children, games/discussion for
older kids and teens). In short, we hope to make the kids look
forward to coming to class, while always keeping uppermost in
mind the importance of educating our young people in the
teachings and traditions of our Roman Catholic faith. Special
attention is given in our classes to important elements of our
Catholic faith – among them the role of Mary and the saints in
God’s plan for the world, the sacraments and the grace they
bestow, the structure and significance of the Mass and the corporal
and spiritual works of mercy. Traditional Catholic devotions and
prayers, including the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross, are also
highlighted.
Classes begin in September and continue through the first week of
May; however new students are accepted at any time.
Sacramental Preperation
Sacramental preparation of young people is a very important
part of our mission. Each year, we prepare a number of children,
age 7 years or older, to receive their First Holy Communion and,
prior to that, their First Reconciliation.
Every other year, we prepare those young people who are 7th
and 8th graders, or older, to receive the sacrament of
Confirmation. Our next celebration of this sacrament will be in
spring of 2013 and those classes will begin in September of
2012. The Confirmation preparation process also includes many
service projects the Confirmands do together and a spring
retreat to Saint Meinrad Archabbey and Seminary.
Classes for both First Communicants and Confirmands are held
on Sunday mornings, from 10:45 until 12 noon.
RCIA
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) classes for
those non-Catholics who wish to know more about the Catholic
faith begin each September and continue through the Easter
season. These classes meet every Tuesday night from 7 until
8:30 p.m., in our Heritage Room.
RCIA begins with an Inquiry stage, during which participants
are given a basic overall presentation of what Catholics believe
and how they worship. For all those who then feel they are
called to pursue membership in the Catholic Church, there
follows a Catechumenate stage, where a more in-depth
presentation of the teachings of the Catholic faith is given.
During the Purification and Enlightenment stage, the “elect” –
continuing to meet weekly – seek to deepen their faith and,
through discussion, prayer and reflection, achieve a more
personal conversion in their lives. Following initiation into the
Church at the Easter Vigil, the new Catholics, or “neophytes,”
meet again in the Mystagogia stage, to encourage one another
as they prepare to live out their Catholic faith in the world.
The RCIA classes are held in an informal manner and,
throughout the process, participants are encouraged to ask
questions and share experiences, as well as to grow in
fellowship with one another and the parish. For those who do
not have a practicing Catholic to sponsor them in this faith
journey, the church will be happy to provide one for you!
St. Martin of Tours Church - 639 South Shelby
Street - Louisville, KY 40202