Keep the Fire Burning:
Family Faith Formation for Kindergarten–6th grade

Transforming the world one family at a time.

“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs which make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life, and life to grow in faith.”

 - Pope Francis, 2015 Apostolic Journey to the USA

What is KTFB Family Faith Formation?

The mission of family faith formation is to help parents respond to the Church’s call to be “the first and foremost educators of their children.” Family Faith Formation assists parishes to aid families as they grow in their love and knowledge of the Catholic faith. [Gravissimum Educationis (Declaration on Christian Education), 3 – Vatican II, Paul VI, 1965]

Family faith formation is an engaging tried and true kindergarten through sixth grade Catholic family catechesis program. Based on the principle that “Parents are the primary educators in the faith” (General Directory for Catechesis, 255).

Family faith formation has proven to be a solution to catechizing the whole family. After a monthly gathering where parents receive adult training and children are in grade-level classes, Family Faith Formation is brought home, to the domestic church, with parents teaching their children the beauty of the Faith. Family Faith Formation technically revolves around a weekly family gathering and home lesson, but families soon realize that this shared learning experience spills over into their everyday life.

What is Catechesis?

The General Directory for Catechesis defines “catechesis as nothing other than the process of transmitting the Gospel, as the Christian community has received it, understands it, celebrates it, lives it and communicates it in many ways” (General Directory for Catechesis, 105).

Why Family Formation?

• Our Catholic faith is brought to life within the family!

• A program that supports and promotes parents as the primary educators of their children in the Catholic Faith.

• Assists parents in the promises they made at their child’s baptism.

• Is written by parents for use in families.

• Monthly adult catechesis sessions teach parents to have the Catholic “know-how” to share the beauty of the Catholic faith with their children.

• The materials are engaging, down-to-earth and easy to understand.

• Solid Catholic teaching is transmitted through games, quizzes, stories, and music.

• Driven by Sacred Scripture and faithful to the teaching of the Church.

• Follows the three-year liturgical cycle.

• Strong families are good for society and for the Church.

From a parent’s perspective:

When I was a kid, I went to Catholic elementary school and attended the weekly religious lessons through middle and high school. From my own perspective, I find Family Formation much more rewarding and effective. I personally have learned things about the faith teaching my children the weekly lessons that I am quite sure we never covered in Catholic school in the 1980’s, or in the weekly religious format.

I like that religious education is a family affair and not a drop off activity. Also, as a parent I can tell that the information is “sinking in.” My older son still remembers memory verses from kindergarten, and my younger son has absorbed lesson content since he was three years old!

A family-based faith formation format may be more involved for families, but it has been worth the time and effort for our family. I recommend giving it a try!