It is our goal to provide the best environment possible for you and your children to grow in love with Jesus and his Church. St. Andrew’s Faith Formation Program serves as a tool to help you, the first and most important teachers of the faith, to discover and share a true understanding of God’s revealed love in the Scriptures and the Tradition of the faith. The Faith Formation Program consists of four components to help our parish’s youth foster a lifelong relationship with Jesus. These components are:

In-person classes: These include classroom lessons, activities, and organized service projects suited for every grade level. Here we focus on learning how to pray, the history of our faith, and how we are called to live as Disciples for the Lord in our modern lives. Students are taught the stories, people, and lessons from the Bible. They are also taught about the Sacraments, the Mass, and what it means to be Catholic. In-Person classes are held at our Charleroi Site from 10 am to 11:30 am

Family Catechesis: Four times throughout the year, we invite you to join your children in their experience of the faith. On each occasion, we ask families to assist at Mass as greeters, ushers, lectors, or gift bearers at the 9 o’clock Mass. Following the 9 am Mass, we gather in Marian Hall for a morning of fun and learning. Using various themes, activities, and lessons the catechists walk families through key elements of the faith. These include a family craft, an interactive lesson, and always a fun snack!

Lectio Divina: Latin for “Divine Reading,” these are guided reflections on the Sunday Mass Scripture readings and are presented via ZOOM video calls beginning at 10:30 am. These reflections are suited for the entire family and for you to learn how to share the faith in your own home.

Liturgy/Family Prayer: In both the seasons of Advent and Lent, we gather with our parish clergy to help us prepare for Christ’s coming at Christmas and Easter. These also include the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for both students and parents.

It is both the standard of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish and the Diocese of Pittsburgh that students of Faith Formation Programs complete 30 hours to progress through each grade level. We have 35.75 hours of programming scheduled for the 2024-2025 school year. The expectation is every student completes the required 30 hours. This applies especially to those students who are preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation.

Have you recently been confirmed? We invite you to share your faith and experiences by helping with our faith formation classes! Your insights can make a meaningful difference for our young children.

If you're interested in assisting with discussions, activities, or crafts, please reach out to Kathy Miller  at [email protected]. Your participation would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you for considering this opportunity to inspire others!