PreK - 5th Grade Faith Formation
Helping our youth connect with other students and learn more about who they are made to be in Christ.
Sacramental Preparation
First Penance/Reconciliation & First Communion
The Diocese of Grand Rapids celebrates First Communion and First Reconciliation during 2nd grade. First Reconciliation takes place in late January early February. First Holy Communion is the first Sunday in May.
Registration for these sacraments is in the fall of your child’s 2nd grade year. If you have questions or want to ensure you are on our list for registration please contact Brittany Renne in the Faith Formation office.
This year, in addition to the twice-a-month Family Ministry meetings, we will be offering weekly formation opportunities for parents Monday evenings at 7 pm in person and in an online format. These classes are part of the sacramental preparation for families preparing for First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Helping children to “fall in love with God” is the basis of this hands-on Montessori style approach to guiding children in their relationship with God. In a room called the Atrium, children are able to work with materials that help internalize and ponder the great mysteries of our faith. CGS is based on the sound teachings of the Church’s tradition. Sacred Scripture, the Liturgy, and the Magisterium are all used to reveal the Good News to children. This program is open to all children 3 yrs. (potty trained) through 5 yrs. old. Currently Saint Stephen offers Level I which is for PK3 – Kindergarten aged; Level II which is for 1st – 3rd grades coming soon; Level III to be offered in the future.
The program runs from October to May and is offered Wednesdays from 3:45 to 5:15 pm. As of right now, you can choose to enroll your qualifying child in one or both Faith Formation options this year. This class will have limited space and tends to fill up fast so please register early.
For more information, please contact Brittany.
Little Flowers Girls Club
Saint Stephen Parish will be leading a Little Flowers group this year for girls in first through fourth grade. This is a group where the girls learn about virtues of the Catholic Church, including: mercy, courage, joy/mirthfulness, generosity, prudence, wisdom, justice, loyalty, and perseverance.
The name Little Flowers comes from St. Theresa, also known as the Little Flower of Jesus. She knew from the very young age of 15 that she wanted to devote her life to Jesus, and so she lived her life in a way where she believed in doing little things each day to show her love for God.
Our meetings will be held one time per month from 3:20 pm-4:30 pm. We will begin the meetings with a snack, followed by a lesson on one of the virtues, and end with a craft activity. You will pick your daughter up in the front of the school.
Faith Formation Program
Starting in the fall of 2022 we will be transitioning to a family ministry model. Family ministry is a catechesis for the whole family! We will have class twice a month from 9:30 am-10:25 am, with the whole family attending.
Registering for the Faith Formation Program
Registration for the 2022- 2023 Faith Formation year is now open! Every registered family in our parish with a child preschool age to high school and who are not enrolled in Catholic Schools were mailed a pre-filled registration form and schedule for the year in the beginning of August. If you are a non-parishioner family, please download the documents below and return your registration form to the parish office.
