At St. Agnes, we take a wholistic approach to lifelong faith formation. Each baptized person is both obliged and invited to take an active role in deepening their knowledge and love of God. Beyond sacramental preparation, we offer several models of faith formation for families, including Generations of Faith, an intergenerational Faith Formation program. Junior High Youth meet in small mentor groups, as do our 8th graders who are preparing for Confirmation. Parish organizations sponsor events to deepen their faith in addition to parish adult formation programs and opportunities. For more information, to register, or to volunteer, please contact Mary Blythe or Stephanie Williams.

Youth Faith Formation

Sacrament Preparation

The students in this Sacrament Preparation program are young people in their first and second year* of Faith Formation study at St. Agnes Church. They will receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation during Advent and then First Holy Communion in the Spring of their second year of study.

*Typically the young people are in 1st and 2nd grades but older students may join us for this TWO year process.  That is why the word “year”, rather than “grade”, is used.

First Reconciliation (Confession) and First Holy Communion (Eucharist)

The students in this Sacrament Preparation program are young people in eighth grade or older. They have been participating in Faith Formation with their family throughout their younger school years and now will move into a gender specific (male or female) “small mentoring group” model for this sacrament year of study.

For the Confirmation year, the Faith Formation format used by St. Agnes Church starts with “Confirmation Boot Camp” in the summer.  Then, in the fall, the “small mentoring groups” that were formed during summer camp continue meeting biweekly throughout the remainder of the year until Confirmation happens in the Spring. A Confirmation Retreat, numerous service project opportunities, and prayerful reflection experiences round out the year of formation for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Guidelines for Confirmation sponsors can be found here.

Generations of Faith, Grades 1-5 (Family Model)

This learning model educates students between Sunday Masses (10:10 AM & 11:10 AM). This family based catechetical model strengthens participation at weekend Masses and completes homework for the month.

Young Disciples

This is our mentor program for grades 6 & 7.

This Faith Formation model partners 8th grade students (6-8 per group) with 2 adult mentors who share their faith while guiding the students through a course of study meant to strengthen their call to an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

Confirmation Mentoring Group Schedules will be agreed upon by all members of each group.

Confirmation Mentoring Groups

Similar to Young Disciples, Confirmation Mentor Groups are small, gender based groups.  Parents will choose the meeting day and time at the beginning of the Faith Formation year.

“4:12 YOUTH MINISTRY” takes its name from 1Tim. 4:12 – “Don’t let anyone make fun of you, just because you are young. Set an example for other followers by what you say and do, as well as by your love, faith, and purity.”  Our faith formation education of our high school youth (grades 9-12) through age appropriate service projects, faith-filled experiences, fellowship, and fun. The students come from the three area parishes and they meet Sundays, 6:00-8:00pm @ Queen of Angels Catholic School. Registration is separate for 4:12 Youth Ministry. Contact the parish office at 724-863-2626.

Saint Agnes’ Bible Drama Camp is a four day DRAMAtically different Vacation Bible School for all students in grades K-12!  Please stay tuned and join the Not Quite Ready for Heaven Players as they prepare and perform the next musical! Adult volunteers are welcome. The musical will be performed on the last day of summer camp at Saint Agnes Church.