Children's Faith Formation Update

Dear parents,
 
With this new City of Dallas ordinance we will not be returning on April 19 ^th to classes. 

Due to the safety of your children and our teachers our Pastor Rev. Milton Ryan and I have decided to cancel the remaining of our Children’s Faith Formation program for this year. 

Regarding our First Communion and Confirmation Masses. These masses have been postponed due to the safety of our children, their parents and their family members. Pastor Rev. Milton Ryan and Fr. Michael Walsh decided to postponed these events to a later date when this crisis has passed. As soon as I have a date for each mass I will communicate this information you. 

Thank you for your understanding and I will continue to pray for every student and their families that God will give us the strength to overcome these challenging times in our lives. 

Be safe and God Bless you all! 

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What is Children's Faith Formation?
Faith Formation is a Parish program which prepares our youth for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. The program also offers basic religious knowledge and continuing faith formation for children in grades Pre-K through 12th grade. Classes begin the 2nd week of September and take place Sunday morning through May.

The faith formation program offers two sessions that coincide with our Mass schedule.

• Session I, begins at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 10:45 a.m.
• Session II begins at 11 :30 a.m. and ends at 12:45 p.m.

It is very important for your child to attend class regularly and to be on time.

What is Required?

• Required first and foremost is a desire to learn more about your faith.
• The family must be registered parishioners or live within the boundaries of Holy Trinity Catholic Church (zip codes: 75204,05,07,09,19,35)
• It is a two year process for First Communion and Confirmation and children must attend both years of classes to receive the sacrament.
• Parents whose child is to receive their First Communion or Confirmation must provide a copy of their child's Baptismal Certificate at the time of registration.
• The fee is $85.00 per child. All fees are due at the time of registration.

The Parent's Responsibility
Please discuss with your child the importance of being respectful toward their catechist, co-teachers and aides. Also, please stress the importance of behaving appropriately while in class and in church. You may also want to explain, in your own words, why your child is a part of the faith formation program.

Parents play a vital role in the preparation of their child. Parents are required to attend two separate meetings in which they are given instructions and a book to be completed by their child. Parents share in this great responsibility of preparing their child to receive the Sacraments and in forming their faith.

Who Teaches Faith Formation?

• A Catechist (teacher) is a caring individual who is willing to volunteer and share their love of God, their faith and their time with our young people. They are not theologians but they are committed to their own growth as Catholic adults. Class time and lesson preparation take approximately 2-4 hours a week. The curriculum is set for each class.
• A co-teacher is a helpful individual that attends class each week, and who shares the responsibility for planning the sessions and presenting the lessons.
• An aide is a kind, responsible individual who is willing to assist the catechist in the classroom with duties such as taking attendance, passing out supplies, assisting with projects, etc.

Who Can Volunteer to Teach?

• Must be a registered parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
• A desire to work with our parish children and help them to grow in their Catholic faith.
• Must complete all necessary documents and must have cleared a criminal background check. Please note, this is required of all volunteers.
• Successful completion of The Safe Environment Training and Policies, which is required by the Diocese of Dallas for any and all individuals working with and/or volunteering with children.

If you feel called to this Ministry, please contact the Pastoral Center at 214-526-8555
THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE VOLUNTEERS IN THIS MINISTRY!