Faith Formation
Faith formation is a lifelong journey of growing in our relationship with Jesus Christ and with one another. At St. Anthony, we seek to provide opportunities for people of all ages to know and love God, deepen their understanding of our Catholic faith, and grow as disciples who live and share their faith in their families, our parish, and the wider community.
Faith formation includes children, youth, young adults, adults, families, sacramental preparation, and opportunities for ongoing spiritual growth. Through prayer, learning, worship, service, and community, we grow together in faith throughout every stage of life.
Family Faith Formation
At St. Anthony Church, we believe that faith formation begins in the family and continues throughout our lives. Parents are the first and most important teachers of faith for their children, and our parish is here to walk with families as they grow together in their relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church.
Our Family Faith Formation program, Hui ʻOhana, brings children, parents, and families together for prayer, learning, worship, service, and community. Rather than simply providing religious education classes for children, our goal is to help the whole family grow in faith and to give parents the encouragement and resources they need to continue sharing the Catholic faith at home.
Hui ʻOhana — Growing in Faith as a Family
Hui ʻOhana is our primary faith formation program for families with children in grades K–5. Families participate together in regular gatherings that include age-appropriate faith formation, family activities, prayer, Catholic teaching, and opportunities to connect what we learn with everyday family life.
Throughout the year, families are invited to:
- Grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ
- Learn more about our Catholic faith and traditions
- Pray and worship together
- Participate regularly in Sunday Mass
- Explore ways to practice and talk about faith at home
- Celebrate the seasons of the Church year
- Serve others and participate in the life of our parish community
- Build relationships with other families in our parish ʻohana
Faith formation is more than preparing for a sacrament or completing a certain number of classes. It is a lifelong journey of learning to know, love, and follow Jesus. Our hope is that Hui ʻOhana helps families make faith a natural and meaningful part of everyday life.
Parents Are an Important Part of Faith Formation
Parents have a unique role in forming the faith of their children. Our program is designed to support parents in that role—not to replace them.
Parents participate in family gatherings and are provided with resources, conversations, and activities that help them continue faith formation at home. You do not need to have all the answers or consider yourself an expert in the Catholic faith. We grow and learn together.
Sacramental Preparation
Family Faith Formation and sacramental preparation work together, but they are not the same program.
Children and youth preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, First Reconciliation, or First Holy Communion participate in the appropriate sacramental preparation in addition to their ongoing faith formation.
Because every child and family's circumstances are different, sacramental preparation is determined according to the child's age, previous faith formation, sacraments already received, and readiness.
Families seeking sacramental preparation should complete the Family Faith Formation registration and the appropriate Sacrament Enrollment information so that we can help determine the best preparation pathway for their child.
Youth and Teen Faith Formation
As our young people grow, faith formation continues through opportunities designed specifically for middle and high school youth. Youth Ministry provides a welcoming place for young people to deepen their relationship with Christ, ask questions about their faith, build Catholic friendships, pray together, serve others, and discover what it means to live as disciples of Jesus in today's world.
Our youth formation incorporates Edge and Life Teen resources along with parish gatherings, retreats, service, prayer, social activities, and participation in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church.
A Lifelong Journey
Faith formation does not end when a child receives First Communion or Confirmation. Our goal is to form lifelong disciples.
From childhood through the teen years and into adulthood, St. Anthony Church seeks to provide opportunities for every member of our parish ʻohana to continue growing in faith, deepening their relationship with Christ, and living that faith within their families, parish, and community.
Ready to join us?
Families are invited to register for the current Family Faith Formation year. Please review our Parent Handbook and Program Calendar for additional information about gatherings, expectations, sacramental preparation, and important dates.
For questions about Family Faith Formation or sacramental preparation, please contact the St. Anthony Church Faith Formation Office.
Adult Faith Formation
Faith formation is a lifelong journey. At St. Anthony Church, we provide opportunities for adults to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith, and discover how our faith is lived in everyday life.
Adult Faith Formation welcomes adults at every stage of their journey—whether you have been Catholic your entire life, are returning to the Church after some time away, want to learn more about your faith, need to complete your Sacraments of Initiation, or are simply beginning to explore what Catholics believe.
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process for adults who are interested in becoming Catholic.
OCIA may be appropriate for:
- Adults who have never been baptized
- Adults baptized in another Christian tradition who are interested in becoming Catholic
- Adults who are simply curious about the Catholic faith and want to learn more before making a commitment
Becoming Catholic is more than completing a series of classes. It is a journey of faith and conversion that includes prayer, learning, participation in the life of the parish, and growing in relationship with Jesus Christ and the Catholic community.
Because each person's faith journey and sacramental history is different, we begin with a conversation. This gives us an opportunity to get to know you, hear your story, and determine the formation and preparation that will best meet your needs.
There is no obligation to become Catholic simply because you begin the conversation. Questions and seeking are welcome.
Adult Sacramental Preparation
Adults who are already Catholic but have not received First Holy Communion or Confirmation are invited to contact us. Preparation is designed according to the individual's sacramental history, previous formation, and current needs rather than assuming that everyone requires the same process.
Our goal is to provide meaningful preparation that helps each person understand the sacrament they are preparing to receive while continuing to grow in their relationship with Christ and participation in the life of the Church.
Continuing to Grow in Faith
Adult Faith Formation does not end with receiving the sacraments.
Throughout the year, St. Anthony offers opportunities for adults to continue learning, asking questions, praying, and growing together. Opportunities may include Scripture and faith studies, small groups, seasonal programs, presentations, retreats, prayer experiences, and other gatherings designed to help us better understand and live our Catholic faith.
Whether you are taking your first steps toward faith or have been Catholic for many years, there is always more to discover and room to grow.
Interested in Learning More?
We invite you to begin with a conversation.
If you are interested in becoming Catholic, completing your sacraments, returning to the practice of your faith, or simply learning more about Catholicism, please contact the St. Anthony Church Faith Formation Office.
We would be happy to hear your story, answer your questions, and help you determine your next step.