Religious Education for Youth

Religious Education classes are provided each week September through May. The child’s age as of August 15 and their school grade level are the basis for placement in a particular class. Parishioners serve as catechists (teachers). Our Curriculum includes a diocesan required child safety component for students in grades K-12. There are training workshops throughout the year for the teachers.

Michaela Miller
Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
615-208-4339
MMiller@StPhilipFranklin.com

Alondra Bañales
Assistant Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
615-239-5632
ABanales@StPhilipFranklin.com

Maria Herrera
Coordinator of Hispanic Faith Formation
615-550-2840
MHerrera@StPhilipFranklin.com

Claudia Schmitt
Coordinator of Faith Formation
615-721-5011
CSchmitt@StPhilipFranklin.com

Our Programs

CGS (Montessori-based) or “Spirit of Truth” (book-based) religious education?

Students in 1st-6th Grade English and 1st-3rd Grade Spanish religious education have the choice between Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based curriculum, and “Spirit of Truth,” a book-based curriculum. Preschool-Kindergarten students will be placed in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Families enrolled in our Religious Education program are expected to participate in a home study program, “A Family of Faith.”

CGS (Montessori-based)
3 Years Old – 6th Grade

Michaela Miller
Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
MMiller@StPhilipFranklin.com

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, our faith formation program for children 3 years old to 6th grade, is a distinct approach to Catechesis, through which the youngest children develop deep, lifelong relationships with Christ and His Church.

Originating in Rome in the 1950s, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori approach to Religious Education. The program is rich in education around Liturgy and Bible. Good Shepherd has three multi-age levels for children beginning at age 3 through 6th grade. Each level builds progressively on the next.

CGS Page

Spirit of Truth (book-based)
1st-6th Grade

Michaela Miller
Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
MMiller@StPhilipFranklin.com

Spirit of Truth, a book-based classroom K-8 religious education program, takes students on an immersive and memorable journey through the Catholic Faith.

Family Catechesis
3yrs-8th Grade

Michaela Miller
Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
MMiller@StPhilipFranklin.com

A Family of Faith by the Sophia Institute, is an at-home, self-paced book program to encourage and equip parents to fulfill their God-given duty and privilege of educating their children in the Catholic Faith.  A Family of Faith covers the entire Catechism of the Catholic Church in four years. One special advantage of teaching children catechism at home is that it is an opportunity to draw your family closer together.  It also can be the occasion for correcting any errors that your children might have picked up, whether they go to Catholic or public school. This program is a great addition to any religious education that you or your children are enrolled in. Family of Faith reinforces our Catholic traditions and our baptismal promise to our children.

A Family of Faith creates communities of families who grow in faith and in relationship with one another. Catholic families not only learn the Faith but live it fully, becoming lifelong disciples.

Pope St. John Paul II, in Catechesi Tradendae, wrote “Family catechesis… 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.”

First Communion

Michaela Miller
Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
MMiller@StPhilipFranklin.com

Appropriate Sacramental Formation is critical to the proper reception and life-long practice of the Sacraments. To that end, all students wishing to receive any sacrament must attend Religious Education Faith Formation classes for the two years prior to the sacrament being received with a minimum of 75% attendance.

During the first and second year, Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Level II students prepare for and celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time. Parents have an important role in the preparation for these sacraments; and are asked to attend the 6 mandatory Meditation Series evenings with their child. All meetings will be hosted by Michaela Miller, CGS Coordinator, and are held for the purpose of presenting talks on the respective Sacraments, and all details related to the Sacraments. Parents are also encouraged to attend Adult Faith Formation as they continue their own faith formation journey.

Confirmation

Alondra Bañales
Assitant Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
ABanales@StPhilipFranklin.com

Confirmation Preparation is a 2 year process at St. Philip. All middle school students age 12 and over must complete both years of Confirmation preparation at St. Philip, regardless of their grade. Confirmation 1 and Confirmation 2 students are asked to attend weekly Faith Formation sessions on Sunday at 9:30am or 11:15am or Wednesdays at 5:00pm with a minimum of 75% of attendance. During these sessions, first year, Confirmation 1, students and parents explore the beauty of Theology of the Body for Middle Schoolers; second year, Confirmation 2, students and parents delve into the Sacrament of Confirmation and what it means to be Catholic.

  • Confirmation 1 students are also required to complete 10 service hours (5 for the community and 5 for the church) and attend the diocesan Sealed retreat.
  • Confirmation 2 students are required to complete 20 service hours (10 for the community and 10 for church), attend Sealed Retreat and Youth 2000.

Teens who have not yet received the sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, or Confirmation should contact Michaela Miller, 615-550-2837, to assess what additional formation may be required. Parents are also encouraged to attend Adult Faith Formation as they continue their own faith formation journey.

Edge & Connect
Middle & High School

Michaela Miller
Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
MMiller@StPhilipFranklin.com

Edge & Connect are our youth ministry programs for Middle School (Edge) & High School (Connect).  Edge & Connect  both meet Wednesdays from 6:15-8:30pm in September through May. Dinner is provided followed by a night that revolves around Catholic lessons while incorporating high energy activities and games. Those 9th graders who may be attending Confirmation 2 are still welcome to join us for Connect in addition to their Sacrament preparation. Ministry Description.

Youth Ministry Page

Get Updates

Fidelis

Ashley Blackburn, Fidelis Lead Lady
Fidelis@StPhilipMinistries.com

Fidelis is a unique and engaging approach to Catholic faith formation where 5th – 10th grade girls are mentored to be confident in their identity as Catholic women and devoted to growing and leading in virtue. What is special about Fidelis is that it cultivates a sisterhood through mentorship, empowering girls to fully embrace and live their feminine genius. Through weekly meetings and small group faith sharing true discipleship is fostered and lifelong friendships are cultivated.

High School juniors and seniors have a special role with Fidelis. FIAT is a community of young women who desire to dive deeper into their role with Fidelis by becoming mentors. The St Philip FIAT group has already begun meeting in preparation for Fall 2022. Please reach out if you are interested in being a FIAT Mentor.

Mothers of Fidelis sisters are also encouraged to be a part of Fidelis! Fidelis Matres is a community of mothers whose daughters are a part of the St Philip Fidelis ministry. These mothers attend Fidelis Nights in order to serve, pray and have fellowship with other mothers. Fidelis Matres is focused on supporting women in their primary vocation as wives and mothers.

The St Philip Fidelis Chapter will be starting Fall 2022. If you’d like to be included in our communications, so that you can receive more details on our Come & See Nights this fall, please sign up HERE.

In the meantime… we encourage you to check out more about Fidelis at FidelisOnline.org

Fraternus

Josh Reynolds, Ministry Lead
Fraternus@StPhilipMinistries.com

For over ten years Fraternus has been mentoring boys into virtuous Catholic men. The program works because it is more than a program – it is a brotherhood. Fraternus does not begin in a technique or system, but in trusting the teachings of the Catholic Church and in having a solid philosophy and anthropology (an understanding of the needs and nature of man). In other words, “what we do” works because of “who we are.” Join our brotherhood! We have Frat Nights on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM in the Community Center.

Little Flowers & Blue Knights
3rd – 5th Grade

Michaela Miller, Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
MMiller@StPhilipFranklin.com

3-5th graders are invited to join Little Flowers Girls’ Club or Blue Knights Boys’ Club on Tuesday’s after Religious Education. We focus on teaching virtue through scripture, saints’ biographies, and the Catechism of Catholic Church.

Register for Blue Knights | Register for Little Flowers

Vacation Bible School

Ministry Lead Needed
VBS@StPhilipMinistries.com

VBS is held during one week in June. Religious concepts and scripture passages are taught through various activities including drama, art, crafts, music, games and science for our PreK through 5th graders. VBS needs volunteers as teachers and in various activity areas. Ministry Description.

Our VBS Page
Get Updates

Youth Announcements

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Living Stations

March 29 @ 3:15 pm - 4:45 pm

Religious Ed Classes (English)

April 2 @ 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

Little Flowers and Blue Knights

April 2 @ 6:15 pm - 8:30 pm

Fraternus

April 2 @ 6:15 pm - 8:30 pm

Fees & Registration

Early Registration (before June 30)

  • $50 – 1 child
  • $100 – 2 children
  • $125 – 3 or more children

After June 30

  • $70 – 1 child
  • $140 – 2 children
  • $185 – 3 or more children

No one will be refused faith formation based on the inability to pay fees. If any of the financial obligations present a hardship for you please call Michaela Miller at (615) 550-2837 or, for Spanish, Ana Zarraga at (615) 550-2835.

Our Class Schedule

Age/Class

Meeting Time

“Spirit of Truth” (book-based)
Grades 1-6

Children in grades 1-6 can be placed in CGS (Montessori) or book-based religious education.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (Montessori-based)
Level 1, 2 & 3 Ages 3—12

Level 1 ~ Ages 3-6 years
Level 2 ~ Ages 6-9 years
Level 3 ~ Ages 9-12 years

Your child must be 3 years old by August 15th 2021 and potty trained to attend.

Please note if your child attends the St Philip Learning Center (Pre-School or Enrichment Days) your child will receive his/her Religious Education at that time and will not need to attend a separate atrium session.

ENGLISH (CGS Levels 1-3 & Book-based)
Sunday, 9:30am to 10:45am or
Tuesday, 5:00pm to 6:15pm or
Wednesday, 5:00pm to 6:15pm or
Tuesday, 5:00pm to 6:15pm (Only Levels 1-2)

SPANISH (CGS Levels 1-2 & Book-based)
Sunday, 11:15am to 12:45pm

1st Year Confirmation
Completed CGS Level 3

2nd Year Confirmation
Completed 1st Yr Confirmation

ENGLISH
Sunday, 9:30am to 10:45am or
Wednesday, 5:00pm to 6:15pm

SPANISH
Sunday, 11:15am to 12:45pm

Connect (High School)

Wednesday, 6:00 pm to 8:15 pm

Edge (Middle School)

Wednesday, 6:00pm to 8:15pm

Fraternus (6th-12th Grade Boys)

Tuesdays, 6:30pm

Fidelis (6th-12th Grade Girls)

Tuesdays, 6:30pm

Young Disciples (3rd-5th Grade)

Tuesday, 6:30pm