The Faith Formation program at St. Francis Xavier exists to partner with parents in the essential work of passing on the Catholic faith. Faith formation is a life-long journey ever growing, changing and being enriched by a personal relationship with the Lord which begins at baptism and develops in the context of the family.  As Pope Saint John Paul II stated in Familiaris Consortio,  “the future of humanity passes by way of the family”.

The role of the parent is always to point their children to Jesus through the Catholic faith, knowing it is He who changes hearts and converts them to His. As their child’s first educator, it’s what parents do, say, and model in their homes that will provide rich soil for seeds of faith to continue to grow during their child’s lifetime. 

As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children” (CCC 2223). One of the greatest gifts a parent can give is a deep and lasting relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.

Our philosophy remains the same: faith begins in the home, and we, as a parish, are here to support families in living and sharing that faith. We believe children grow best when they encounter Christ not only through learning, but also through prayer, worship, service, friendship, and participation in the life of the Church.

Faith formation is a lifelong journey, not something that ends after receiving a sacrament. Our programs are designed to accompany children and families from their earliest years through high school, helping them grow in knowledge of the faith, deepen their relationship with Christ, and become joyful, active members of His Church.

Our Faith Formation model includes three complementary parts that work together throughout the year:

• Family Catechesis provides parents with practical tools and encouragement to nurture faith at home while families gather each month to grow together.

• Sacramental Preparation offers additional formation for children preparing to celebrate the Sacraments, with parents actively involved throughout the journey.

• Age-Based Ministry gives children and teens opportunities to build friendships, pray together, serve others, and discover how to live their Catholic faith every day through Xavier Kids (Grades 3–5), Xavier Youth (Grades 6–8), and Xavier Teens (Grades 9–12).