Family catechesis therefore precedes, accompanies and enriches all other forms of catechesis...Thus there cannot be too great an effort on the part of Christian parents to prepare for this ministry of being their own children's catechists and to carry it out with tireless zeal." (Pope Saint John Paul II, On Catechesis In Our Time, paragraph 68)
Saint Martin de Porres Catholic parish offers formal Faith Formation opportunities for students in grades 1-12. As parents are the primary educators in Faith, Faith Formation is family-centered. We do not offer a weekly drop-off program.
Families will grow in faith together at home, using a provided curriculum.
There are 3 components to Family Faith Formation (Registered families are expected to participate in all 3):
1. At-home catechesis using the provided curriculum
2. All registered families will meet on the 3rd Sunday of every month for fellowship and faith-sharing in the Parish Hall from 5-7pm. Families will meet for dinner and the session will be led by the Faith Formation team.
3. Parents will meet on the 1st Monday evening of every month, from 7-8:30pm, for Adult Faith Formation. These sessions are specific for Faith Formation families and will include discussion, question/answer, and support in how to teach the faith at home. High School Students (both Confirmed and those seeking Confirmation) may also attend these Adult Faith Formation sessions on Monday evenings.
The above is a general outline of the faith formation process at SMdP, which follows the directives provided by the Diocese of Fort Worth. Should you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Niki MacDougall directly at nicole@saintmartindp.org
To be eligible to register for Faith Formation at SMdP, you must live within the parish boundaries (Denton County, as established by the Diocese of Fort Worth).***
Anyone is welcome to register as a parishioner and attend Mass at SMdP. When it comes to Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation, Canon Law expects these to be done at the parish in whose boundaries you reside(cf. CIC 102, 518-519). Registration for the parish, although helpful for information purposes, does not determine who can attend Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation, as eligibility to register for FF/Sacrament Preparation is determined by where you live. Out of respect for each parish’s boundaries, and in accord with Canon Law and Fort Worth Diocesan policies, we ask that you contact the parish where you live to begin the Faith Formation or Sacramental Preparation process. Should you have any further questions, please contact Mrs. Niki MacDougall at nicole@saintmartindp.org
Faith Formation registration for 2019/2020 will be open to active parishioners beginning in June. Families who wish to register for faith formation are expected to be active members (involved in some way in supporting the parish through time, talent, and/or treasure), and live within the boundaries of St. Martin de Porres Parish (Denton County, as determined by the Fort Worth Diocese).
***As a parish within the Fort Worth Diocese, SMdP follows Ft. Worth Diocesan and Canon Law policies in regards to Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation. Families requesting Faith Formation or any Sacrament Preparation for their children should live within the boundaries of SMdP Parish (Fort Worth Diocese), and not within the boundaries of another parish or Diocese. Should a family reside outside of the Fort Worth Diocese boundaries, they must prepare for all sacraments in the Diocese where they reside, out of respect for their Bishop's policies and procedures for Faith Formation and Sacrament Preparation.
Sacrament Preparation for 1st Reconciliation, 1st Communion, or Confirmation are readiness-based and take place in addition to active involvement in Faith Formation. Please visit the Sacrament Preparation page for basic expectations
If your child is above the age of 7 and is not baptized, or is baptized but is 8 years old or older and has not previously participated in Faith Formation and has not been attending Mass on a regular basis, please complete the RCIA Adapted for Children Inquiry Form or contact Mrs. Niki MacDougall for more information