September 2, 2020

Dear Faith Formation Families,

Maya Angelou once said, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.” Undoubtedly, it has been more than a challenge to embrace such words over the past several months. But I bring these to mind, nonetheless, as we start our new catechetical year, to assure you that our vision for your children is just this: not simply for them to survive, but to THRIVE, and to do so with passion!
Please know that our parish staff and community have been praying for your families over the last several months.  Our challenges for faith formation have been great, as they are for any educational institution which must meet the health and safety demands of this current COVID-19 pandemic.  One of the most important needs to which we must attend is cleaning and sanitation.

As you may know, the directives for schools by the PA Department of Health as well as those given to parishes by the Diocese of Pittsburgh require a high level of cleaning and sanitation. Additionally, shared instructional facilities are discouraged by school and health officials. Given the complexity of meeting these many requirements, we have decided that it is best to move faith formation to a building separate from the school this fall, namely, at St. Ferdinand’s Religious Education Building during the pandemic. I realize this may be an inconvenience for some of you, but I thank you for your understanding of our need to provide the safest environment for all involved.
Our St. Gregory Catechists are excited to teach in any location. They are willing to come with all of you to continue their ministry of forming the children of St. Gregory Parish. St. Gregory Parish Faith Formation is scheduled starting Sunday, October 4^th from 9:15 – 10:30 AM in the Religious Education Building at St. Ferdinand Parish, 2535 Rochester Rd., Cranberry Twp., Pa 16066. Please use the St. Gregory Faith Formation registration form and mail it to St. Gregory Parish. As of now, our students will attend session once a month and the remaining weeks will be taught at home. We are in the process of providing a short Catechist led video for each lesson for parents to catechize (teach) your children for the weeks they are at home. Our new curriculum is Christ In Us by Sadlier Publishing. It has an engaging online portion that will encourage your children to want to log-in for a lesson per week to full fill their Faith Formation requirements. The program also offers parents a guide to assist for each lesson and to provide you with resources and all you need to grow in your own faith along the way. You don’t need to be an expert in the faith to fulfill your role as primary educator of the faith. My favorite quote is “God didn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.” Faith is all you need. I am here to provide your family with all you need to bring the faith to life in your heart and in your home. We will continue to monitor and be ready to revert back to our St. Gregory location if guidelines change and allow.

As Catholics, we are a Sacramental people of faith that long to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our lives. Now, more than ever, Mass is the most important part of our growing in faith. Please continue to attend 11:00 AM  Mass on Sundays following Formation class or on Saturdays at 5:00 PM.  Confession is offered on Saturdays at 10:00 am. If you are unable to attend Mass, it is still very valuable to watch as a family on the internet or TV.

We want every child to have the opportunity for growing in their faith community. The Religious Education Building at St. Ferdinand Parish is set up to provide a space that is going to be mindful of the body and soul of all who attend Formation.

Please feel free to contact me at ccd@stgregzelie.org if you have any questions or concerns. I am always available.

May God bless you and your family,
Mrs. Audra Brown
Director of Faith Formation 
 
NOTE: If you have already registered your children for fall, you do not need to re-register them.  We have them in a class already.  A parent meeting will be scheduled closer to Formation’s start date, for parents to pick up materials and schedule for your children.