About Family Faith Formation

 Our Family Faith Formation strives to provide families the opportunity to encounter, love, and proclaim Jesus Christ within the family environment knowing that in the challenges and demands facing our youth in the world today, it is critical to supply our children with the very best possible tools in support of their faith. Pope Saint John Paul II said, “Christ and His Church calls parents to be ‘the first and foremost educators of their children’ [Gravissimum Educationis, 3]. “Family catechesis aids families in becoming the domestic churches they are called to be”. [Lumen Gentium] 

To meet this need and the call of Bishop Felton to actively seek “healing, hope and joy” in our mission field, we felt the Holy Spirit leading us to a new family formation program across the mission field for the 2025-2026 school year.  Kindergarten through grade 6 are using FamilyFormation.net developed by the Catholic Church of St. Paul out of Ham Lake, Minnesota; and the 7-10 graders are following the Catholic Ignite Series, which Our Lady of the Lakes incorporated during the 2024-25 school year.  Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will meet on Tuesday evenings.  Religious Release at Eagle View will still occur as a supplement for families that would like to additionally send their children on Wednesday afternoons, October 8 - December 10 to St. Alice.   

Kindergarten – Grade 6 

FamilyFormation.net is recognized by the USCCB and is an active program in over 200 parishes worldwide. It has seen phenomenal success in educating parents and families since its inception 30 years ago. “Through engaging, down-to-earth, easy to understand lessons and activities, Family Formation brings parishes and families together to learn their faith in joy and with excitement. This shared learning experience develops traditions and spills over into families’ everyday lives—incorporating the Catholic Faith becomes a way of life!” 

Families meet twice a month right after Sunday Mass with parents joining together to discuss while their children are in their respective classrooms with their discipleship leaders. Materials are then sent home for the “week in-between" for families to be able to learn together.  

 “The right and duty of parents to give education is essential ... original and primary ... and it is irreplaceable and incapable of being entirely delegated to others” [Familiaris Consortio, 36].  

Grades 7-10 

The Torchbearer Ignite series for teens is focused on creating intentional disciples for the Lord. This Catholic program incorporates the leading aspects of youth discipleship—fellowship, education, discussion, and prayer. Parents and youth are together for a shared dinner and large group talk. Then small groups (including parents) meet to discuss the questions relevant for living our faith in the world today.  Everyone joins together at the end of the evening for adoration and prayer. 

Sacramental Preparation 

First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation are taught within their own distinct setting following a similar protocol of parents and students meeting together in both large and small groups. Generally, Confirmation students and parents meet on Wednesday evenings. The second-grade sacraments meet six evenings (typically Tuesdays) in the Fall and six in the Spring. 

Getting Started with Family Faith Formation 

New families are welcome throughout the year! Please contact the parish office (218-692-3731) at any time for information about our program. 

To register please complete and return the registration form to Immaculate Heart Church, click here. 

 
Safe Environment

The safety of our students is important whether they are at church, at home, or in public. The safety training program mandated by the Diocese of Duluth is “Circle of Grace,” a comprehensive Catholic Safe Environment Training Program developed by the Archdiocese of Omaha. All grades participate in this program. The “Circle of Grace” program contributes to the protection of our students and affirms that they are loved and valued children of God. 

An important aspect of this program is that it helps our students identify when they are uncomfortable with a situation and teaches them how and when to seek help from a trusted adult (also identified through classroom activities).