Family Formation: Any good programs?

[The_Hidden_Life]

I’ve been asked to coordinate our parish’s K-5 religious education program. I have a very limited amount of time to come up with options for curriculum. We currently use Faith First. It’s very mediocre in my opinion. At home my own children study Faith & Life but I am interested in hearing opinions on any “family formation” programs out there.

In particular if you have experience using the Family Formation program from St. Paul’s in Ham Bay (or is it Ham Lake?) I would appreciate it. It seems very expensive but looks quality. I am considering their “template only” option.

Any other info on other publishers’ programs would be really helpful.

Thanks
LeeAnn

 

[stmaxfan]

Mother Nadine Brown, founder of Intercessors of the Lamb, in Omaha, NE wrote Family Faith Formation I and II. It is really good!! And cheap! The text is only $15 including a CD-ROM to print reproducibles.

The focus of it is to teach the children how much God loves and values them using scripture, to enable them to know God as a loving Father, again, using scripture; to learn the difference between a temptation and a sin, to understand the mercy of God; and to learn how to pray contemplatively. It is written very simply, but it is definitely not “dumbed down.” The children are exposed to tons of scripture. It is really a beautiful program. I believe you can see some lessons on their website, www.bellwetheromaha.org

The beauty of this is, as the children are taught, the parents are learning. I hope you will check it out!

 

[The_Hidden_Life]

Stmaxfan,
Thanks for the info. I took at look at their sample plans. Is this a program that your parish uses? Is there more to the plans (a main lesson that gives the parents more background?) or is it just the four pages each week? Is this presented to a group or just individual families doing this at home?
Thanks again,
LeeAnn

 

[The_Hidden_Life]

I’ve posted this in the Family Life section too, but that forum seems to have become um, more bodily functions oriented since the last time I visited, so maybe this is the more proper spot…

Anyhow, I’m in the position of having to come up with a curriculum for my parish’s K-5 program. We have used Faith First for the past three years. Very mediocre. I have experience using Faith & Life at home, but I am looking for some other options, specifically any recommendations on “family formation” or “whole parish catechesis” type programs.

I’m looking specifically at Family Formation by St. Paul’s of Ham Lake, MN, so if your parish uses that program, please, speak up. I haven’t yet ordered a sample intro packet, so I’m curious what the quality is. I’m looking at the “template only” option. The whole pre-prepped package at $60 a head is much too pricey. (At least, that’s how I read their order forms.)

So, quick, I need help! I really have to order books soon, like within the next three or four weeks. Thanks much!
LeeAnn

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’ve posted this in the Family Life section too, but that forum seems to have become um, more bodily functions oriented since the last time I visited, so maybe this is the more proper spot…

Anyhow, I’m in the position of having to come up with a curriculum for my parish’s K-5 program. We have used Faith First for the past three years. Very mediocre. I have experience using Faith & Life at home, but I am looking for some other options, specifically any recommendations on “family formation” or “whole parish catechesis” type programs.

I’m looking specifically at Family Formation by St. Paul’s of Ham Lake, MN, so if your parish uses that program, please, speak up. I haven’t yet ordered a sample intro packet, so I’m curious what the quality is. I’m looking at the “template only” option. The whole pre-prepped package at $60 a head is much too pricey. (At least, that’s how I read their order forms.)

So, quick, I need help! I really have to order books soon, like within the next three or four weeks. Thanks much!
LeeAnn

Hi, I used to live between Duvall and Woodinville! I don’t much like packaged commercial programs, I prefere to come up with my own. However someone used “Blessed Are We” last year in a Catholic school and liked it, they also have a “parish CCD” version.

 

[puzzleannie]

if by Family Formation you mean what is sometimes called Inter-generational catechesis, your first decision is whether you want a lectionary-based program like Celebrating the Lectionary, or a traditional curriculum, with topics for the various age groups who all meet together at the same time, but in different rooms for age-appropriate lessons. Or do you want a “family program” where the family gathers together for teaching and activities.

Most of the standard textbook publishers also have “family programs”, I would just start perusing their websites. First the parish has to discuss and agree on what they mean and what they want from the Family Program.

I guess the best way to review is to first look at the standard textbook series, as you have with Faith First, and if you see weakness there, you can probably assume their family program is also lame. As recommended on another site, I look first at the 2nd and 5th grade books, where sacraments are usually taught, for presentation on the Eucharist, and if the sacrificial aspect is diminished or ignored, and if it does not include at least reference to the link with the ordained priesthood, nix it. Then the morality and commandments lessons: are the commandments watered down beyond recognition, and is the entire focus on social justice and ecology, or is the hierarchy of the commandments honored and taught. Is morality taught as a system of “making good choices” and “tolerance” or is it obedience to God’s law and recognition of natural law. If the classroom texts are deficient, so will the family program materials be deficient.

You also have to know your parish–will participation in a family program be better than “regular CCD” or will you have opposition. If this represents a change or shift in RE, prepare the staff, prepare the catechists and prepare the parish, preferably for at least a year before you introduce the new program.

 

[kage_ar]

When looking, make sure you find out what is approved for use in your Diocise.

 

[cathyt]

Not sure if this is what you’re after, but for a family program, I’m a big fan of the trend toward intergenerational ministry–a type of ministry that gathers people from every age group and gives the group ministry time together and in age-appropriate groups. I would check out www.cmdnet.org. I have used some of their youth ministry resources and like them a lot though I’m not super familiar with the intergenerational program. I know there are some great intergenerational programs out there though.

Best of luck in your new endeavor!

 

[puzzleannie]

this is a duplicate thread on the evangelization forum which is the correct forum for discussing RCIA, RE and related topics

 

[The_Hidden_Life]

Puzzleannie,
Thanks for explaining the differences in the types of community catechesis. Our parish is pretty small (250 households) with about 80 children representing fifty families participating in Religious Ed. I think a more family-oriented approach would be workable in the time I have available to get started (two months!). Catechesis tying in the entire parish may have to wait a year or so. The adult ed. person in my parish is willing but I think it would take a longer time than I have to view and evaluate all the different materials.

So if I focus on just the students and their parents/families then the question is, are there any approved choices out there for such a model? My archdiocesan list is very short (five publishers: Benziger, Harcourt, Sadlier, SilverBurdett and RCL) but talking on the phone with the Faith Formation assistant, it sounds like other programs are in use in the archdiocese with permission, but I’ll have to wait for the head of that department to return next week to find out about it.

Honestly, though, most of the youth program here is pulled out of thin air, so it doesn’t seem my parish is too worried about using “approved sources” (unless it’s a convenient excuse to nix something, I guess).

Br. Rich, hmm, I’m not sure I’m up to the task of coming up with my own K-5 program from scratch, but do you happen to know who the “Blessed are we” program is published by?

Thanks,
LeeAnn

 

[stmaxfan]

LeeAnn,

I am just a homeschooler who bought it for my family and was extremely impressed with the depth and versatility of the program.

In my particular parish, the DRE created her own curriculum for the Family Catechesis. I was in the section teaching the older kids, grades 8-9. She took the parents and had them in classes while their kids wer being taught and then assigned homework for the family to do together. I think the parent class focused more on Church teaching, because a lot of these people don’t attend mass regularly. The kids section focused on the mysteries of the rosary, the meaning of the mysteries and how to meditate on them and create a prayer journal. Homework was to watch parts of the movie Jesus of Nazareth together and discuss questions. Also to say the rosary as a family and journal afterwards. Her goal with this program was to give families a Catholic identity using the liturgical seasons and devotions and understand the meaning of them. She is hoping all this will deepen their faith and make it less likely for them to stray.

Hope some of this info was helpful!

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

Puzzleannie,
Thanks for explaining the differences in the types of community catechesis. Our parish is pretty small (250 households) with about 80 children representing fifty families participating in Religious Ed. I think a more family-oriented approach would be workable in the time I have available to get started (two months!). Catechesis tying in the entire parish may have to wait a year or so. The adult ed. person in my parish is willing but I think it would take a longer time than I have to view and evaluate all the different materials.

So if I focus on just the students and their parents/families then the question is, are there any approved choices out there for such a model? My archdiocesan list is very short (five publishers: Benziger, Harcourt, Sadlier, SilverBurdett and RCL) but talking on the phone with the Faith Formation assistant, it sounds like other programs are in use in the archdiocese with permission, but I’ll have to wait for the head of that department to return next week to find out about it.

Honestly, though, most of the youth program here is pulled out of thin air, so it doesn’t seem my parish is too worried about using “approved sources” (unless it’s a convenient excuse to nix something, I guess).

Br. Rich, hmm, I’m not sure I’m up to the task of coming up with my own K-5 program from scratch, but do you happen to know who the “Blessed are we” program is published by?

Thanks,
LeeAnn

I asked, she said she thought it was Pearson-Hall? But I don’t find a publisher by that name.

 

[puzzleannie]

Puzzleannie,
Thanks for explaining the differences in the types of community catechesis. Our parish is pretty small (250 households) with about 80 children representing fifty families participating in Religious Ed. I think a more family-oriented approach would be workable in the time I have available to get started (two months!).

I was about to answer in the other forum before I realized there are duplicate threads (a forum no-no, but the mods will probably combine the threads before long).
It is my impression that Family Program may work better in a small rural parish, because the volunteers you have available will be used more effectively than if they split into groups of only a few children of each grade level, as in a traditional textbook program. I am also guessing it works best in a fairly homogeneous parish, where you don’t have a broad mix of cultures, languages etc.

Loyola Press has a family program which you can see on the website, so does Silver-Burdett. I cannot recommend anything by those other publishers. Since family catechesis is relatively new your diocese will probably allow anything you suggest.

there is a program called F.I.R.E, which I have glanced at and if I find the publisher today at work will post a link.

the good part about these programs is you can do as much or as little as your parish can manage. They do not replaces specific sacramental preparation, which you will still have to address and for which you will have to find additional resources.

The success with which the content appropriate for each age is transmitted will depend, as it always does in the last analysis, on family involvement and parent participation.

My I suggest that your “hidden agenda” and top priority be educating the parents. If this is the way to do it for your parish, go for it. You might also look into Generations of Faith by John Roberts.

If you have good, knowledgeable experienced Catechists with orthodox beliefs and a lived faith, you can make any program work and make up any deficiencies.

Blest ARe We is the new textbook series by Silver Burdett, and it does have a family program adjunct and is now available in Spanish. I will add that most textbooks series now have free or low cost family pages to send home, or to use in family meetings as well.

before you spend a lot of time and money, your diocesan catechetics office probably has a lot of this stuff in their library for you to look over, and they all have websites where you can look at the resources in depth. They are also generous with free samples. Don’t just order off the website, though, find out the name of your local sales reps, who can get you better pricing and freebies.