Formation of Children and Families
FAMILIES OF FAITH AT HOLY FAITH
Holy Faith is currently participating in a grant program called Parents and Families at the
Center of Faith Formation. Through the program’s guidance and assistance, we have developed
a Faith Formation Plan that encompasses formation for the entire family unit, supports families throughout each stage of family life, and connects the families of Holy Faith to one another.
This Faith Formation Plan goes beyond the scope of the traditional Religious Education format
and invites families to participate together in faith formation. We lovingly refer to this plan as
the Families of Faith at Holy Faith.
For Children and Youth
The Name for Sunday School has changed from CCF to Family Faith Formation (FFF).
FFF CLASSES for children Pre-K through 8th grade meet on most Sunday mornings throughout the academic year
Sign up for FFF Sunday School (grades K-8)
SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION classes for 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th grade children meet on Sunday mornings once a month
Sign up for Sacramental Prep for First Sacraments and Confirmation included on the Registration Form for Sunday School
CLASS AT MASS on the last Sunday of most months. During the 9:30am Mass. Children sit together in the front of the church and serve in various liturgical ministries throughout the Mass.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL for 1 week during the month of July (next VBS in 2027)
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP The Mix, meets most Sunday mornings before FFF class begins in the Youth Room
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP, CYM, High School Students from 8th grade to 12th Grade meet most Sundays throughout the academic year at 4:00pm in the Youth Room. CYM members also participate in retreats, youth conferences, Catholic Summer camps, and community service projects throughout the year.
Get connected to Catholic Youth Ministry: CYM
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FEES:
Holy Faith asks families to pay the following fees; however, please know that we will never exclude a child or family for inability to pay program fees. The fees are used to pay for textbooks, craft supplies, T-shirts and related materials.
Fee for each child up to 3 is $20.00 each
Fee for 3 or more children in the same family is $60.00 total Fee.
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Youth Confirmation
THE SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION is celebrated in Grades 9 and higher. Children must have completed at least one year of catechism before registering for the Confirmation Sacramental Preparation program. Confirmandi (Confirmation candidates) attend approximately eight classes. They also attend at least one class of family catechesis with their parents, and one class with their Confirmation Sponsors and must participate in Catholic Youth Ministry (Other requirements for Confirmation will be posted here)
CONFIRMATION SPONSORS must be at least age 16, not a parent, in good standing with the Catholic Church, and have received the three Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist and not be a parent.
Note: Sunday School and Sacramental Prep registrations use the same form.
REGISTER for Confirmation Classes (Confirmation Class Registration )
All registered students for this Sacrament must attend all scheduled Confirmation classes and required events.
2027 YOUTH CONFIRMATION
Saturday, April 3 2027 at 5:00pm Mass
For Parents and Families
For Parents
QUARTERLY PARENT CAFE'S during FFF time on Sundays. These gatherings usually highlight a guest speaker who presents on a topic important to raising a Catholic family in today’s world.
MONTHLY PARENT'S NIGHT OUT childcare. We provide babysitting free of charge in our Holy Faith nursery.
MOMS (Ministry of Moms Sharing) meets on the first Wednesday of every month for fellowship, prayer, and faith sharing. There is a morning meeting, with childcare provided, from 10:00am to 11:30am in the Parish Life Center. The evening meeting is from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Ministry Office Conference Room.
For Families
FIRST FRIDAY MONTHLY POTLUCK. Families gather on scheduled monthly dates for a potluck meal, fellowship, and faith sharing about the Gospel reading for the coming Sunday.
FAMILIES OF FAITH PRAYER SHARE JOURNAL. Families are invited to take turns with the Prayer Share Journal (bag) and Holy Family Statue. The Journal and statue stay in the home for one week and family members say prayers together each day of the week. The bag with the statue and journal is then given to another family the following week.
ALL SAINTS CARNIVAL. A fun day of games, prizes, food, and faith formation for everyone in the parish.
Vacation Bible School
At Holy Faith, we schedule a five-day Vacation Bible School (VBS) amost every year (space permitting) typically in June or July. NO VBS in 2026.
Every year we offer VBS Pre-School for children ages 3 and 4 and our VBS crews consist of children, grades K thru 5, and Middle School, High School and Adult Volunteer Helpers.
Vacation Bible School began over 115 years ago as a method of religious education for children during their summer vacations. While it has been very popular in many of our Protestant churches, the Catholic Church has only more recently become actively involved in promoting VBS experiences. Holy Faith uses Catholic versions of VBS that has an official Imprimatur from our Bishops. We use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition of the Bible.
It takes a community to create this experience of religious education. It takes a community to have fun and create memories. VBS is never simply a “children’s activity.” VBS is a church-wide outreach event. Holy Faith is blessed by volunteers that give hours of time to prepare lessons, set-up, present activities, and teach song and dance. Then, they take time to clean up and put it all away until next year. We have now included a FAMILY Vacation Bible School Session on day 2 of VBS.
We are very grateful for our wonderful volunteers! Consider joining the Holy Faith VBS Community. You will gain more than you give.
Next VBS Camp will be in 2027
Other Events
Annual Family Fall Festival, Children’s Christmas Play and Cookie Sharing Party
Game Nights
Movie Nights
Prayer and Pancakes Mardi Gras Family Event
Retreat Day
(just before Ash Wednesday each year)
Easter Saturday Potluck Picnic and Easter Egg Hunt
Watch bulletin and email notices for all Special Holy faith Events for Families and Children or All Parish Events.
Catholic Schools in Gainesville
ST. PATRICK INTERPARISH SCHOOL
(Pre-Kg through 8th Grade)
Website: St Patrick
QUEEN OF PEACE ACADEMY
(Pre-Kg through 8th Grade)
Website: Queen of Peace Academy
ST. FRANCIS CATHOLIC ACADEMY
(9th through 12th Grades)
