Faith Formation

Blog

Welcome to our Faith Formation blog. Below are posts and articles you will hopefully find helpful and enriching for your personal faith as well as beneficial for raising your kids in the Catholic faith.

You've probably heard that parents are the primary catechists of their children. This page's goal is to help continually equip you in that role with the philosophy in mind that we can only give what we have and lead where we've been. If you have any suggestions or ideas for the blog, send us an email: lowest@stdenisparish.org.

  • End of Year & 2013-2014
    May 4, 2013 | by Lindsey West
    End of year message and information about 2013-2014 school year.
  • Question of the Week: Angels
    March 17, 2013 | by LisaMarie Lombardi
    How many Archangels are there? Do we have Guardian Angels? Do Guardian Angels help us physically, or just spiritually?
  • Pope Benedict XVI Resigns: How to Respond
    February 18, 2013
    We will be getting a new Pope, a new Bishop of Rome, a new Cardinal to fill the Chair of St. Peter, so how can we use this opportunity to teach our kids, deepen our understanding of the Catholic Church, and prayer for our community? There are several great resources below...
  • 101 Practical Fasting Ideas for Lent Redux
    February 13, 2013 | by Deacon Nick Senger
    "Fasting, praying and almsgiving are the three penitential practices that we are asked to engage in during Lent. In addition to fasting and abstaining with the rest of the Church on Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent, we are also challenged to make individual sacrifices appropriate to our own spiritual condition. However, before we choose something to give up for Lent, it’s important to assess our current spiritual state:..."
  • Lent: The reason for the season?
    February 5, 2013 | by From the blog
    One dad's humorous account of sacrificing during Lent and finding the meaning in his actions and sacrifice.
  • Year 1 Confirmation: Question of the Week
    January 27, 2013 | by LisaMarie Lombardi
    If Jesus is in the bread, why do we eat Him? This question touches the heart of our faith and ponders the very nature of who God is and what His relationship with us is. The people of Jesus’ time asked this question as well. To begin to understand this mystery, which is the very center of our faith, we need to contemplate several theological truths....(read the full blog for an inspiring and insightful explanation)
  • Year 1 Confirmation: Question of the Week
    January 9, 2013
    First Year Confirmation students are able to ask questions in class or anonymously via a question box to then be answered by our Catechists. November's question, answered by LisaMarie is: Why does nobody smile during Mass if the Church is all about the joy of God?
  • Meditation for Busy Parents
    January 8, 2013
    You can only give what you yourself have and you can only lead where you've been. It's a solid motto in ministry when working with our volunteer leaders. I think there's truth to this when it comes to parents forming the faith of their children as well, but in the busyness of life and parenthood, how do you take time to care for your own faith and spirituality?
  • Seasons of Faith
    January 6, 2013
    "Just as different seasons of the weather bring back different memories and experiences for each of us, the seasons of the Liturgical calendar can also instill memories and experiences that add meaning to our faith. Visual symbolism and spiritual ritualism can help us create robust rhythms of prayer and deepen not only our understanding of the Catholic faith, but also deep our relationship with God. Here are some keys to celebrating the liturgical seasons at home as a family..."