Faith Formation
-Learn more about your faith.

Saint Joseph School

Saint Joseph School, located at 89 East Genesee Street on the campus of Saint Alphonsus Church, is an educational ministry of the six Catholic Parishes of the greater Auburn area.  The school serves the Finger Lakes Region by providing strong Christian values in the Catholic tradition and a foundation of academic excellence which continues to serve our students and our community now and into the future.  For school information and registration, contact the Principal, Kathleen A. Coyle, at 315-253-8327.  All sacramental preparation for Catholic School students is done through our parish Sacramental Preparation Programs   Learn more...

Parish Religious Education

Religious Education, for children not enrolled in Catholic School, takes place at St. Mary’s in conjunction with Sacred Heart Church and Saint Ann Church.  Two programs are available.  There is an intensive two-week Summer Program that is offered twice during the summer with classes running from 8:30 am to noon each day.   To complete this program, families are expected to participate in designated follow-up sessions during the school year.

The second option is our Family Faith Program, which is held on one Sunday of each month from September through March from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.  Both the summer program and the Sunday program are held in the classrooms and hall at Sacred Heart Church. If neither of these programs fit a particular family’s schedule, children can be registered in a diocesan approved re­ligious education program of another Auburn area parish, while still maintaining parishioner status at St. Mary’s.

 Home Schooling for religious education is a third possibility.  Upon the completion of each chapter in the textbook, the children take a short quiz and e-mail the results to the Director of Faith Formation.  Service of some type is a required component as well as attendance at two ga­therings a year to review progress and share learning experiences. This program would be worked out with the Director of Faith Formation.  For information and registration on any of the above programs, contact Jan Borromei at 315-252-3439.

 The St. John Bosco Home Study Program comes under the Faith Formation Office of Saint Mary’s Church.  This program involves a daily home study lesson, a weekly group class session and the full commitment of parents and family.  For information and registration, contact Mary Ann Turek at 315-364-8778 or Ann Fallon at 315-255-2215.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place during the 9:45 am Mass on Sunday.  After the introductory rite of the Mass, children from pre-school and up are invited to come forward and then leave the congregation for their own Children’s Liturgy of the Word, led by a trained leader.  The scripture reading, discussion and music are age appropriate.  Children re-enter the church at the Preparation of the Gifts and participate with the adults for the remaining portion of the Mass.  Any questions, contact Kathy Lipfert, Pastoral Minister at 315-252-9545 or klipfert@dor.org

Sacramental Preparation

Baptism

A Baptismal Preparation Session is required for first time parents.  This session takes the form of an interview and orientation with the Pastoral Minister.  The Celebration of Baptism can take place during one of the Sunday Masses or at 1:00 pm on a Sunday af­ternoon.  For information, contact Kathy Lipfert at 315-252-4595 or klipfert@dor.org.

 

Diocesan Guidelines

For Preparation of Confirmation, Eucharist and Reconciliation:

          General Principles

-      Sacraments are celebrations of the community

-      Parents are the primary educators of their children.  A child’s faith de­velops because parents model a life of faith.  Therefore parents are to be involved in the sacramental preparation of their child.  Parishes assist parents in this im­portant responsibility but never usurp the rightful role of the parents.

-      All preparation is based on readiness (not age or grade level) of this in­dividual, family, and parish community

-      Preparation is short and focused: its purpose is to prepare the child spiritually to celebrate the ritual.  This is not an educational process or a time to “make up” catechetical material.

-      Sacramental preparation is separate from the Catholic School or Parish Religious Education Program.  Separate registration forms are needed.

 

What is readiness?

The family is the primary place where children are formed in their faith.

-      Does your family participate in the life of the community in the areas of worship, formation, and service?

-      Has your child received appropriate catechetical formation for his/her age?

-      Does your family pray together at home?

-      As parents are you willing to take part in the preparation and be committed to the continuing formation of your child?

The readiness of the individual involves the following.

-      A child must be baptized and have a use of reason (usually age seven).

-      Does the child express a desire to celebrate the sacrament for which he/she is prepar­ing?

-      Does the candidate participate in the worship life of the community on a regular ba­sis?

-      Has the child been formed in faith in an age appropriate way and willing to continue formation and participation in the life of the community to the best of his/her ability?

Confirmation

In the ancient sequence of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the Sacrament of Confirmation is the second step with Eucharist as the third.  The Sacrament of Confirmation is closely linked to the Sacrament of Baptism.  Confirmation is a sealing of Baptism and more clearly shows forth the gifts of the Spirit received in Baptism.  Sponsors or an­other adult are asked to accompany the candidates to the sacramental preparation ses­sions.

          Readiness is based on

-      the candidate having completed Religious Education and willing to participate in the preparation pro­gram and cele­brate the sacrament and;

-      the candidate willing to pray and reflect on God’s presence in his/her life and in the world.

For information, contact Jan Borromei at 315-252-3439 or ymfire@yahoo.com.

 

Eucharist

The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist is the third and final Sacrament in the Initiation Process into the Catholic Church.  The Eucharist has such importance in our lives as faithful people that the Second Vatican Council stated that the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.”  Parents are asked to use the materials provided to help their child prepare for First Holy Com­munion and to attend the scheduled sacramental preparation sessions.  First Communion prepa­ration usually begins in February with celebrations taking place on the Sundays of the Eas­ter Season.

Readiness is based on

-      Candidate must have completed one full year of Religious Education

-      Candidate must have a desire to receive the Eucharist.

-      Candidates must be able to distinguish the Eucharist from ordinary bread.

For information, contact Jan Borromei at 315-252-3439 or ymfire@yahoo.com.

 

Reconciliation

The Sacrament of Reconciliation has had different names in the recent past. Some know this Sacrament as the Sacrament of Penance; others as Confession.  In fact, each of these names indicates or emphasizes a different component of this sacrament of God’s healing forgiveness.  Preparation for this Sacrament includes both home and parish sessions. 

          Readiness is based on

-      Candidate having completed one full year of Religious Education

-      An awareness of the relationship with God and neighbor.

-      A knowledge that an individual can harm relationships through sin, and must as­sume personal responsibility.

-      The experience of personal sorrow for our failures and expression of sorrow.

-      The realization that we must try to change our sinful behavior.

-      An understanding that the sacrament is a special sign of God’s forgive­ness and reconciliation with one’s neighbor.

-      A free desire to receive this sacrament.

 

For information, contact Jan Borromei at 315-252-3439 or ymfire@yahoo.com

RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children of Catechetical Age)

This process of Initiation is for

-      Unbaptized children

-      Children baptized into the Roman Catholic Church but with no religious edu­cation

-      Children baptized into another Christian faith tradition but with no Sunday school/worship experience.

-      Baptized in another tradition with Sunday School and worship experi­ence

Components of the process

-      Family catechesis

-      Liturgical, service and community activities

-      Individual and family readiness

-      Children who complete this process normally will be received into the Church at the Easter Vigil.

For information, contact Jan Borromei at 315-252-3439 or ymfire@yahoo.com.

 

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults)

The preparation process for this rite is done in cooperation with all the Catholic parishes in the Auburn area.

This process of Initiation is for

-      Unbaptized adults

-      Baptized Roman Catholic adults with no worship experience

-      Adults baptized in another tradition and having no worship experience

-      Adults baptized in another tradition and having worship experience.

Components of the Process

-      Sessions are held on a weekly basis from September through May

-      Those who complete the process normally are received into the church at the Easter Vigil

For information, contact Kathy Lipfert at 315- 252-9545 or klipfert@dor.org.

 

Marriage

The Sacrament of Marriage celebrates the commitment of a man and women to each other in the context of the church community asking God’s blessing upon them.  Engaged couples planning on a wedding at St. Mary’s Church should make ar­rangements as soon as possible.  Pre-requi­sites for the wedding celebration are Pre-Cana and FOCCUS.  Pre-Cana is a one-day retreat for the en­gaged couple.  FOCCUS is an inventory that facilitates open couple communication, understanding and study. 

For information and an initial interview, contact Fr. Lioi at 315- 252-9545 or flioi@rochester.rr.com.   

For follow-up information, contact wedding coordinator Sally Corcoran at 315-497-3734 or scorcor1@sccinternet.com.

Holy Orders

The Sacrament of Holy Orders is for those men wishing to be ordained to the Priesthood.  The process leading up to Ordination involves discernment, education and spiritual and human formation.  Those interested should feel free to contact one of the priests at St. Mary’s at 315-252-9545.

 

Youth & Young Adult Ministry

Altar serving is open to boys and girls from grades four and up.  Training ses­sions are held periodically. 

If interested, call the parish office at 315-252-9545.

 

CYO Basketball and Cheer leading is available at St. Mary’s.  

Contact Andy Collier at 315-252-7271.

Junior High Youth Group for young people in junior high school takes place in the form of particular events scheduled throughout the year. 

For information, contact youth minister Andy Collier at 315-252-7271 or faith formation director Jan Borromei 315-315-252-3439 / ymfire@yahoo.com.

 

Senior High Youth Group for high school students takes place on Monday evenings at Sacred Heart Church from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  Educational, spiritual and social elements comprise youth ministry at St. Mary’s. 

For information, contact Andy Collier at 315-252-7271.

 

Adult Faith Formation

Adult altar servers are welcomed at St. Mary’s Church to help serve at Funerals and at weekday Masses. 

Men and women interested in altar serving are invited to contact Fr. Lioi at 315-252-9545 or flioi@rochester.rr.com.

Sacramental Preparation Programs, which involve the parents, are a form of adult faith formation.  Through the process of helping their children, parents learn also.

Adult Education & Formation Opportunities are scheduled from time to time throughout the year.  Bible Study in the light of church history and Catholic doctrine takes place on Wednesdays.  Check the Sunday bulletin for dates and times.

For in­formation, contact Larry Sterling at 315-282-7821 llspks@yahoo.com or Star Yankton syankton@dor.org.

 

Resource Rack in the back of church is a source of printed material helpful to those who would like to know more about their faith.  The weekly electronic e-mail edition of the Catholic Courier Newspaper the monthly publication of the Catholic Courier mailed to the home are also forms of faith formation for adults.