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.
Alondra Bañales
Assistant Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
615-239-5632
ABanales@StPhilipFranklin.com
Maria Herrera
Religious Education Coordinator
615-550-2840
MHerrera@StPhilipFranklin.com
Our Programs
CGS (Montessori-based) or “Spirit of Truth” (book-based) religious education?
All Families in our Religious Education program are expected to participate in a home study program, “A Family of Faith.”
Students in 1st-6th Grade religious education can also enroll in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), a Montessori-based curriculum, or “Spirit of Truth,” a book-based curriculum. Preschool-Kindergarten students will be placed in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
Religious Education Classes
CGS (Montessori-based)
3 Years Old – 6th Grade
Maria Herrera
Religious Education Coordinator
MHerrera@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.
Spirit of Truth (book-based)
1st-6th Grade
Maria Herrera
Religious Education Coordinator
MHerrerr@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
K-8th Grade
Maria Herrera
Religious Education Coordinator
MHerrerr@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.”
Sacrament Preparation
First Communion
Maria Herrera
Religious Education Coordinator
MHerrera@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 Banales
Asst. 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 aged 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 with a minimum of 85% attendance.
We utilize LifeTeen curriculum to create an engaging and welcoming environment where teens feel a sense of community and belonging. Through this curriculum, students are given a safe space to learn, ask questions about their faith, and grow spiritually. The program is designed to empower teens to develop a personal relationship with God through the richness of the Church’s teachings, the sacraments, and a life of prayer.
By fostering a deeper understanding of their faith and identity as beloved children of God, the curriculum helps students build a strong foundation to live out their Catholic faith confidently and joyfully.
Each year of the Confirmation preparation process has specific requirements tailored to help students grow in faith and service. In general, they should expect to:
- Attend retreats to deepen their spiritual journey.
- Complete service hours both within the church and in the broader community.
These experiences are designed to nurture a sense of responsibility, compassion, and a deeper connection to Christ and His Church.
Youth Ministry
Ordered by age group
Vacation Bible School
Maria Herrera
Religious Education Coordinator
MHerrerr@StPhilipFranklin.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.
Our VBS Page
Little Flowers & Blue Knights
3rd – 5th Grade
Maria Herrera
Religious Education Coordinator
MHerrera@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.
Stella Maris
Maria Herrera
Religious Education Coordinator
MHerrera@StPhilipFranklin.com
Stella Maris is a unique and engaging approach to Catholic faith formation where 6th – 12th 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 Stella Maris 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.
Fraternus
Scott Schwieger, Ministry Lead
Fraternus@StPhilipMinistries.com
For over ten years Fraternus has been mentoring 6th – 12th grade 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.
Edge & Connect
Middle & High School
Alondra Bañales
Assitant Director of Faith Formation for Youth and Young Adult
ABanales@StPhilipFranklin.com
Edge & Connect are our youth ministry programs for Middle School (Edge) & High School (Connect). Edge & Connect both meet Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30pm 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.
Get Updates
Youth Announcements
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Registration
Parent Meeting Required for Registration
This year parents will need to attend a parent meeting before they are able to register their children for Religious Education. Our next meetings are tomorrow. Parent meetings will be offered through out the summer on the following dates:
- June 23rd at 10am (English)
- June 23rd at 11:30 am (Spanish)
- July 7th at 10am (English)
- July 7th at 11:30am (Spanish)
- August 14th at 5:30pm (English)
Once parents have attended a parent meeting, they will be emailed a link to register their children for Religious Education. Registration for Religious Education will close August 25th or when each class is full. There is a fee increase for those who register after July 15th.
If you haven’t had a chance to read Father Ed’s letter, you can find it attached below.
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 2024.
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.
1st Year Confirmation
Completed CGS Level 3
2nd Year Confirmation
Completed 1st Yr Confirmation
IN ENGLISH (Bookbased, Grades 1-6)
Sunday, 9:45am to 10:45am
IN ENGLISH (CGS & Confirmation)
Monday, 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Tuesday, 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Wednesday, 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Thursday, 5:00pm to 6:30pm (Confirmation only)
IN SPANISH (CGS & Bookbased)
Thursday, 5:00pm to 6:30pm
Connect (High School)
Wednesday, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Edge (Middle School)
Wednesday, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Fraternus (6th-12th Grade Boys)
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Stella Maris (6th-12th Grade Girls)
Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Blue Knights & Little Flowers (3rd-5th Grade)
Tuesday, 6:30-7:30pm