Search
Religious Education for Children
-
-
Faith Formation Information
Faith Formation Staff
Carol Vater, Director of Faith Formation- 412-835-8322
- Email: [email protected]
- 412-913-5053
- Email: [email protected]
- 412-835-3780
- Email: [email protected]
The Faith Formation Office is in the lower level of the St. Valentine School building.
The main entrance is the double doors on the school’s left. It is a security door and to gain entry you must use the buzzer to the right. Office hours are M, T, Th and Friday, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM and Wednesday Noon – 7:30 PM.
Our Lady of Hope Parish
Faith Formation Office
2709 Mesta Street
Bethel Park, PA 15102
Our program has over 400 children in Grades 1st-8th. Our students come from various school districts, mainly Baldwin/Whitehall, Bethel Park and South Park. We offer four major programs to strengthen of our children and teens in our Catholic Faith:
Faith Formation Programs
Traditional Religious Education
Classes are led by a volunteer catechist from the parish and take place in a classroom setting. For our children in grades 1st-8th, we use books from Sadlier Publisher’s Christ in Us curriculum as our primary resource. The series offers digital resources where the children can ENCOUNTER Jesus, ACCOMPANY him in their lives and then become WITNESSES to the faith. We incorporate other creative methods like YouTube videos, music, art projects, Bible skits and much more. Traditional Religious Education is offered Monday at the St. Germaine Church, Tuesday at the Nativity Church and Wednesday at the St. Valentine Church.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
CGS is an experiential way of teaching children about God, our faith and Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Materials are based on the Bible, Roman Catholic liturgy and sacraments, Tradition and Church teachings. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is offered at our St. Valentine Site on Monday 5:00-6:00 PM (Level I) and Wednesday 6:00-6:15 PM Level II for returning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders who participated in CGS last year).
Family Catechesis
This program is a great opportunity for parents and children to develop their relationship with God within the family, in their home, with the parent(s) as the primary teacher(s). We provide a student book and other materials to supplement parents’ daily efforts to teach the faith in the home. A calendar is provided to guide lesson plans. Parents are to attend 4 adult formation meetings led by a deacon or priest during the year to be better prepared to engage their children in activities that reinforce our Catholic beliefs. Students must meet 4 times with the Director of Faith Formation each semester to assess their progress. PHONE CONFERENCE MUST BE SCHEDULED BEFORE PLACEMENT IN THIS PROGRAM.Program Forms and Calendar
•The Faith Formation Program begins the third week of September with a Mass and
book pickup.•All 1st time registrants must submit sacramental records (Baptismal, First
Reconciliation, First Communion Certificate).•Registration fees are $50 for one child or $80 for two or more children. There is an
additional $10 fee for 2nd graders and an additional $20 fee for 8th graders to
cover sacrament related expenses. Those who register before July 31st will receive a
$10 discount.•No child will be denied Faith Formation because of financial obligation. If you are
unable to make the full payment, assistance is available. Please contact Carol Vater in
the Faith Formation Office.
CCD Registration Form
Parent Handbook
CCD Calendar
Confirmation Guidebook and Application
-
