Faith Formation Newsletter

Dear Faith Formation Families,

Welcome and Happy Feast of the Assumption of Mary! This special day is celebrated today (Aug 15) in our Church to commemorate our belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into Heaven at the end of her life.

We are excited to see our returning families and cannot wait to meet our new ones! You are receiving this newsletter because one or more of your children are registered for our upcoming formation year at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Cary, NC. This newsletter will be your go-to source for all weekly program updates.

Because we know many families have children in more than one program, we have combined all the information into one convenient update.

Key features of this newsletter:

• Translation: You can translate it into over 100 languages using the tab at the top.

• Table of Contents: Click on any section to go directly to that topic.

Inside, you will find important announcements, upcoming dates, reminders, and program highlights—complete with photos and stories from our classrooms.

OUR PROGRAM TIMES HAVE CHANGED FROM LAST YEAR; PLEASE CHECK THE CALENDAR.

Please note: All program information will be shared here in the weekly newsletter. You will only receive individual program emails if absolutely necessary.

Mark your calendars:
📅 September 14 – Open House for In-Person Programs (details below)

📅 September 15 - Family Faith at Home Orientation and First Session

📅 September 21 - First Day of Classes

In the coming weeks, you will receive an email with your child(ren)’s class assignment and room location.

We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and have a blessed start to your school year. We look forward to seeing you soon!

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

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Family Faith at Home - Family Orientation

Monday, September 15, 2025

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.

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)

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