Faith Formation Newsletter

Dear Faith Formation Families,

We are very excited to begin another glorious faith formation year this Sunday. Please see the information below regarding Open House for in-person classes and Orientation for those in the Family Faith at Home program. Class assignments were sent out this week, if you have any questions about this please contact your child's program coordinator.

Our Youth Group (featured photo) kicked off their year with a youth Mass and dinner to celebrate the canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. Thank you to all the parents and families that join in and helped with this fun event.

We look forward to seeing everyone Sunday or Monday this coming week.

Many blessings for a wonderful formation year,
The Faith Formation Team

*OPEN HOUSE - In-Person Programs FAMILY ORIENTATION *

SUNDAY - September 14, 2025 @ 3:00 pm

St. Michael - Archangel Hall (gym) - Building 808

Agenda:

• Welcome & General Assembly in Archangel Hall (Gym)

• Meet the Teacher in your child’s classroom

• Self-guided tour of the school building

✨ Special Note – Confirmation Orientation: 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM in the Parish Center

• Please plan for the Confirmation candidate and a parent/guardian to attend one of these sessions as the same content will be covered at both sessions.

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Family Faith at Home - Family Orientation

Date: Monday, September 15, 2025

Location: Parish Center

Meeting Times

First Holy Communion: 5:00 PM – 6:15 PM

Confirmation: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Important: One parent/guardian must accompany the youth.

IF YOU ARE IN THIS PROGRAM, YOU DO NOT NEED TO ATTEND SUNDAYS OPEN HOUSE.

**PLEASE ARRIVE AND LEAVE THE PARKING LOT WITH EXTREME CAUTION THIS SUNDAY!

BE MINDFUL OF THE CROSSWALKS ; USE THEM TO CROSS.

FOLLOW THE GUIDANCE | DIRECTIONS OF OUR SAFETY TEAM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN HELPING KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.

INTRODUCTION: This new program is being piloted to support parents in sharing the Catholic faith with their children. Rooted in the Catechism’s teaching that the home is where children first encounter the faith, the program emphasizes the role of parents as primary educators and seeks to strengthen families as communities of grace, prayer, and Christian virtue.

WHAT TO EXPECT: At each meeting, families can look forward to fellowship, shared prayer, and practical tools for nurturing faith at home. Parents will be introduced to different forms of prayer, receive tips for family faith practices, and learn ways to celebrate Catholic traditions throughout the liturgical year. Meetings will also include table discussions on real-life faith questions, age-appropriate activities for children, and opportunities to strengthen connections with the parish community.

Location: Parish Center (800 High House Road)

Meeting Times on Monday:

First Holy Communion Year 1 and Year 2: 5 pm – 6:15 pm

Confirmation Year 1 and Year 2: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Calendar Dates for 2025-2026

Meetings in 2025: September 15 / October 6 / November 3 / December 1

Meetings in 2026: January 5 / February 2 / March 2 / March 30 / May 4

Children traditionally receive Communion once they reach the age of reason and understand the mystery according to their capacity. This is normally around the age of seven or 1st-2nd grade. The Diocese of Raleigh calls for two years of sacramental preparation for families with children preparing for First Communion. You will register for year one or year two on the Realm form.

This program meets on Sundays from 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm.

Contact: Joyce Blum (jblum@stmcary.org)

This sacrament preparation program is for baptized children who are 8 years of age or older and did not make First Holy Communion along with our traditional program. If your child is older than 7, he or she can still prepare for this sacrament. The Diocese of Raleigh calls for two years of Sacramental Preparation for families preparing for the First Eucharist, so your child will receive the sacrament in the spring of the second year of formation. Students are placed in ISP classes based on age: 8-10, 11-13, or 13-High School. This program meets on Sundays from 3:00 pm – 4:15 pm.

Contact: Joyce Blum (jblum@stmcary.org)

For children that want to join the Catholic faith who are not baptized yet. The course of study will be evaluated per family by the Director of Faith Formation.

Contact: Joyce Blum (jblum@stmcary.org)

Open to youth in grades 5-8, this program follows the ECYD-Challenge and Conquest model and curriculum. Sessions start in Archangel Hall (school gym) with group prayer and team building, followed by small, gender-specific groups led by teen mentors and supervised by adults. The program ends in classrooms.

This program meets on Sundays from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm - starting in Archangel Hall (gym)

Contact: Dara Hadley (dhadley@stmcary.org)

• VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED. We are short volunteers for this year. We encourage you to consider supporting our program as an Adult Leader. Please contact Dara Hadley for more information.
• Group assignments and classroom numbers were emailed to parents on Thursday, September 11th. If you have not received your child's group assignment or have questions about their assignment, please send an email to dhadley@stmcary.org.

Confirmation preparation in the Diocese of Raleigh is a 2-year process. High School youth at St. Michael are eligible to begin preparation in 9th grade and will receive the Sacrament in the spring of their 10th-grade year. Youth may begin the process any time after 8th grade.

This program has three class options:

Sundays from 12:15 pm – 1:45 pm or 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm.

Mondays - Family Faith at Home: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Contact: Christina Dietzler (cdietzler@stmcary.org)

This is a faith-based group that focuses on Catholic formation, socialization, and service, for high school-aged youth. Eligible youth will be in high school or of high school age. High School Youth Group encourages youth to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ in a supportive community and empowers them to be leaders in sharing the Gospel. Through weekly meetings, youth share in fellowship with each other, pray with Sacred Scripture and work together to plan special events that help them to explore how their unique gifts can be used in the loving service of Christ and their neighbor. This program meets Thursdays at 6:30 pm.

Contact: Christina Dietzler (cdietzler@stmcary.org)

We thank our many volunteers who come every week to share their gifts and talents with the youth of the St. Michael parish community. We welcome ALL parents, grandparents, and other adult family members to join us in this very worthy service to the parish.

WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

• Middle School Youth Ministry
• Confirmation Small Group Leaders
• Classroom Assistants
• Substitutes

Prerequisite: A desire to share your faith and to become Safe Environment Certified (Level C).

It is never too late to join our volunteer team, contact Joyce Blum if you are interested.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Email: faithformation@stmcary.org
Website: https://www.stmichaelcary.org/#
Location: 804 High House Road, Cary, NC, USA
Phone: (919)468-6100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmichaelcary