Education and Formation

St. Francis offers opportunities for children and adults to learn more about their faith.

All children in grades K-6 who are not attending Catholic Schools need to attend CCD classes during the school year, known as the Family Enrichment Program (F.E.P.) at St. Francis.

Registration forms were mailed to registered parishioners in early August. If you did not receive a registration form in the mail, please call the office at 765-288-6180. The 2007-2008 form is currently available online. The registration deadline is August 31st.

We ask each family with children in F.E.P. to contribute $70.00 to help defray the cost of materials. Remember, no one will ever be denied Religious Education for lack of money. Please contact Katie Berger at 765-288-6180 with any questions.

Additional fees are collected from those preparing to receive these sacraments:

• First Reconciliation: $10.00
• First Eucharist: $10.00

F.E.P. will begin Sunday, September 9, 2007. Classes for children through 6th grade are held Sunday mornings between the 9:00am and 11:15am Masses.

For a complete schedule, please see the F.E.P. Calendar.

At this time, there are no formal class sessions for 7th and 8th graders. Those students are encouraged to attend the Middle School Youth Group meetings.

At St. Francis, the children in second grade prepare to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist during the year. If your child is older and has not yet received these sacraments, there is no problem: Please let us know so that we can work at the appropriate age level for your child.

Preparation for these Sacraments takes the form of extra meetings, retreats, and activities — parents of second-graders are encouraged to become involved.

High school students (grades 9-12) are eligible to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Preparation for the next group will begin in January 2008. The next confirmation will be May 2009.

Volunteers are always needed to teach the children. If you would like to become a catechist, please call Katie Berger at 765-288-6180. (As added incentive, all F.E.P. fees are waived for the catechist's children.)

Some of our outings in the past have been to BSU football games, laser tag, Diocesan youth rallies, and a video scavenger hunt. We have explored such topics as the apologetics, the Blessed Virgin, relationships, and "The Five People You Want to Meet in Heaven".

The High School Youth Group (HSYG) meetings are TBA.

The purpose of the St. Francis High School Youth Group is to

• empower young people to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in our world today,
• draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community, and
• foster the total personal, social, and spiritual growth of each young person.

Parents are encouraged to donate snacks. Please sign up for a time that is convenient for you.

The HSYG is also looking for college students willing to help with meetings, snacks, transportation, and more to help the Youth Group run smoothly.

If you're interested in joining, volunteering, or simply have any questions, please contact Oscar or Sue Nuñez at 765-499-2891 or 765-499-2396.

If you are interested in adult education, please call Katie Berger at 765-288-6180.