Faith Formation addresses the Religious Education and Faith Formation of the parish community from birth to death. This includes the Religious Education program for preschool - 12th grade students, including sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.
Adult Formation programs are offered for those who wish to learn more about the Catholic faith. Rite of Christian Initiation programs are offered for children and 
adults who wish to join the Catholic Church. These programs are offered at different times during the year. For additional information on adult programs or the RCIA please contact Cheryl Woelfel, Director of Faith Formation.
The Religious Education Committee offers assistance to the Director of Faith Formation and the formation programs. This committee meets the second Wednesday every other month at 7:00 pm. Members include Fr. Joe Pesola, Cheryl Woelfel, Stephanie Garst, Jennifer Garst, Kim Garst, Carol Untrauer, Pat Ryznar and Jeff Young.
There have been several changes to the handbook this year. Click here for the most recent version of the handbook. A brief description of each class follows. Click on one of the following grade levels to go directly to the cooresponding description.
Students need to be registered prior to the first day of classes. To register your student fill out the registration form and return the completed form to the parish office.
PreK, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9-10, Confirmation
Preschool (Schedule) - The Preschool Religious Education program is designed for children 4-5 years of age. This program is an introduction to God, the Church and faith. Through Scripture, games, activities and music, the children learn about God, Jesus, Mary and the Saints, Christmas and Easter. The children will learn how and why we genuflect in church and will begin to learn the Sign of the Cross. They will participate in service projects and lead a prayer service in May. The catechists for 2007-08 are Kerry Woelfel and Jessica Ryznar.
Kindergarten (Schedule) - The Kindergarten Religious Education program uses Silver Burdett Publishing's "Blest Are We" Series. In Kindergarten, the following themes are covered: God's Love Creates the Universe; God's Love Makes Me Who I Am; God's Loves Gives Me People to Love; God's Love Gives Me Jesus and God Loves Teaches Me to Love. Through age appropriate stories, activities and their textbook, the children learn how God created everything, His love for us and how we need to love and appreciate His gifts. The children continue learning the "Sign of the Cross" and begin to hear other Catholic prayers. They are involved in service projects and lead a Prayer Service in the spring. The catechists for 2007-08 are Jenny and Jason Quesenberry.
First Grade(Schedule) - The First Grade Religious Education program uses Silver Burdett Publishing's "Blest Are We" Series. In First Grade, the following themes are covered: Our Church Community; Our Loving God; God's Son, Jesus; The Holy Spirit and Jesus' Church of Followers . Through their textbook, stories, and activities the children begin to develop a sense of prayer and liturgy, learn about community and the love of God the Father. They begin to learn about the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation and the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Their last unit covers the beginnings of the Church. During First Grade the children begin to learn the following prayers: the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, Grace Before Meals and the Our Father. These children participate in service projects and lead a Prayer Service. In May, 2007, the First Grade Class participated in the May Crowning. The catechists for 2007-08 are Jennifer Garst and Jean Davis. Anna Dudley is the teen helper for this class.
Second Grade (Schedule) - During Second Grade, students are prepared to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. The program uses Silver Burdett Publishing's "The Gift of Reconciliation" and the Gift of the Eucharist". During first semester, children are prepared for Reconciliation. Through their textbooks, activities and learning games the children learn about forgiveness, the difference between a sin and a mistake and making amends (being sorry) for the wrongs we have done. They are taught that Reconciliation is a gift and not something to be feared. They have a mini retreat prior to First Reconciliation. First Reconciliation is during Advent (December). During second semester, the children begin preparation for First Eucharist. Again, through their textbooks, activities and learning games the children begin to learn about the Eucharist. They learn the parts of the Mass, the meaning of the word "Amen" (I believe) and are prepared to actively participate in liturgy. With their parents, a family banner is made at retreat. The banners are displayed in the church during the First Eucharist liturgy and are left for a few weeks after First Eucharist. First Eucharist is usually late April or early May. During second grade, the children continue to learn formal Catholic prayers. In addition to the Hail Mary, Glory Be, Grace Before Meals and the Our Father, the children learn an Act of Contrition. It is essential that children enrolled in sacrament preparation classes attend classes and Mass on a regular (weekly) basis. Children must be enrolled in a Religious Education class or Catholic school one year prior to enrollment in a sacrament preparation class. A copy of their Baptismal record is required prior to reception of sacraments. Parents are required to attend all parent meetings held regarding sacrament preparation. The children are involved in service projects and lead a prayer service. The catechists for 2007-08 are Molly Pope and Karen Bilyou.
Third Grade(Schedule) - The Third Grade Religious Education program uses Silver Burdett Publishing's "Blest Are We" series. During third grade, the following themes are presented: the Church is One; the Church is Holy; the Church is Catholic; the Church is Apostolic and the Church has a Mission in the World. Through their textbooks, Scripture and activities the children learn continue to learn about the sacraments, liturgy, the saints and through Baptism we are called to serve. The children continue to pray the prayers they have learned and begin to learn the Apostle's Creed. They participate in the All Saint's Day liturgy, are involved in service projects and lead a prayer service. The catechists for 2007-08 are Rhonda Urban and Dottie Beagle. Stephen Eder and Rachel Pope are teen helpers for this class.
Fourth Grade (Schedule) - The Fourth Grade Religious Education program uses the Silver Burdett Publishing's "Blest Are We" series. During fourth grade, the following themes are presented: the Goodness of God, Jesus is the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, the Church and Social Justice. Through their textbooks, Scripture and activities the children learn that all of our moral teaching stems from the fact that we learn goodness from God. They learn that Jesus is the perfect image of God and that Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and source of strength. They continue to learn the importance of belonging and participating in a Church community and again are reminded of their Baptismal call to serve others, especially those in great need. The students continue to pray the prayers they have learned in previous years. The fourth grade students host the Seder Supper on Palm Sunday, are involved in other service projects and also lead a prayer service. The catechists for 2007-08 are Barbara Barnett and Sarah Eder.
Fifth Grade (Schedule) - The Fifth Grade Religious Education program uses the Silver Burdett Publishing's "Blest Are We" series. During the fifth grade, the children continue to study the sacraments in greater depth. In Unit One, an overview of the sacraments is presented. Each unit following does an in depth study of each sacrament. The children will also begin to understand the value of spontaneous prayer as they gather each week in prayer circle to pray for their needs and the needs of other. They participate in service projects and a one day retreat is held for them. The catechists for 2007-08 are Lynne Weaver and Amy Marshall.
Sixth Grade(Schedule) - The Sixth Grade Religious Education program uses Harcourt Brace Publishing's "Crossroads" series. During the sixth grade, two different texts, "Sacraments" and "Commandments" are covered. During one semester, the students are presented an in depth study of the Ten Commandments. Through their textbooks, Scripture and activities, they gain a greater insight into the meaning of the commandments. During the other semester, the students continue to study the sacraments. These students are given the Archdiocesan "Faith 2000" Assessment. They participate in a one day retreat facilitated by the Archdiocese titled "A Promise to Keep. God's Gift of Human Sexuality." They also participate in service projects. The catechists for 2007-08 are Kim Garst and Diane Brady.
Seventh Grade(Schedule) - The Seventh Grade Religious Education program uses Harcourt Brace Publishing's "Crossroads" series. During the seventh grade, two different texts, "Prayer" and "Apostles Creed" are covered. During the first semester the students use the "Prayer" textbook. Through the text and activities they learn different types and different ways to pray. They learn the difference between formal and spontaneous prayer and spend time discussing why we need to pray. During the second semester, they are presented an in depth study of the Apostles Creed and also study the Nicene Creed. These students participate in service projects. They also attend a one day retreat facilitated by the Archdiocese titled "A Promise to Keep. God's Gift of Sexuality" The catechists for 2007-08 are Jeff and Sherry Bluethmann.
Eighth Grade(Schedule) - The Eighth Grade Religious Education program uses Harcourt Brace Publishing's "Crossroads" series. During the eighth grade, two different texts, "Old Testament" and "New Testament" are covered. The text, "Old Testament", familiarizes students with the main characters and events in the history of Israel . The text also helps students gain an understanding of the truths God reveals throughout history. The text, "Jesus in the New Testament", gives students a historically rooted and factual understanding of the personality, mission and mystery of Jesus of Nazareth. Eighth grade students participate in service projects. The students will participate in a one day retreat. The catechist for 2007-08 is Bill White.
Ninth and Tenth Grade(Schedule) - During the 9 th & 10 th grade years, the program uses a curriculum developed by catechists and approved by Fr. Joseph Pesola. Our goal for 9 th & 10 th grade students is to give the students the knowledge to understand and explain the Catholic faith to others. This is accomplished through lectures, movies, activities and question/answer sessions on topics ranging from "Who is God to You", history of the Church, worship, sacraments and doctrine. The two classes combine for a one day retreat and each participate in service projects. The 9 th grade catechists for 2007-08 are Tom Marten and Rich Hersberger. The 10 th grade catechists for 2007-08 are Jon Smith and Ray Wolfgang.
Confirmation(Junior Schedule - Senior Schedule)- The St. Thomas Confirmation program is a two year program beginning in the students' junior year of high of school and ending with Confirmation the spring of their senior year. As with other sacrament preparation program, the students must attend Religious Education classes on a regular basis the year prior to enrolling in the Confirmation program. For Confirmation, this means that students must be enrolled and attend Religion classes during 10 th grade. During the junior year, the students participate in faith sharing sessions and service projects. They meet at the catechist's home for the faith sharing session once a month and meet at various locations once a month for their service project. Attendance at both the faith sharing sessions and service projects is required. Mass attendance is also required and the students must have 30 hours of service prior to the reception of Confirmation. The catechists for the junior Confirmation class for 2007-08 are Jay & Jenny Campbell and Dave Garst. During the senior year, the students meet every other week for in-depth faith sharing sessions on the meaning of Confirmation. They participate in two service projects and end their preparation with a required weekend retreat to St. Meinrad , Indiana . Each student must be interviewed by the parish priest prior to Confirmation. The catechists for 2007-08 are Bill & Stephanie Garst and Pat Ryznar. The students will meet at Bill & Stephanie's home. Both junior and senior Confirmation students host 4 Youth Sunday breakfasts to raise funds for our Confirmation program.
Last updated 08/11/07