Note: God in the Family program is being replace with the Synod Small Groups in 2021.

GOD IN THE FAMILY   

To hand on the faith, is, for parents, families, teachers, priests and religious, to share what we live and celebrate.  Such is the vision of the God in the Family Program, to bring together formal religious instruction and the lived experience of the faith at home, particularly our belief in and celebration of Christ’s presence in the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Holy Eucharist. 

In anticipation of the children’s reception of the sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation, parents gather together to review the fundamentals of the Catholic faith in parent groups with a staff assistant present for at least part of the group gathering.  The meetings take place once a week for five weeks.  Participants are to prepare for each meeting by reading a small segment of assigned material and preparing to discuss the coordinating study questions. 

The meetings are limited to one and half hours: the first 45 minutes for discussion, the second 45 minutes for socializing.  Parents can sign up for the evening that works for them, meetings are held on Monday and Tuesday evenings. Many have formed new friendships with those they have met through this program.  

The two textbooks for the God in the Family Program are Exploring the Catholic Church: An Introduction to Catholic Teachings & Practice, by Marcellino D’Ambrosio, Ph.D. and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Both will be made available at the introduction meeting.