We are excited to grow in partnership with you to help your child grow in their Catholic faith.
Mission of the Family of Four Faith Formation Program
- To teach the Message contained in Scripture, Revelation and Catholic Tradition to help children build the foundation of knowledge on which a mature religious decision may one day be made. The content for this program follows the norms established in the National Directory for Catechesis (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2020). To try and make children aware of the responsibilities which arise from their relationship with God and others by teaching them the Mission of the Church and providing opportunities for them to be of service to others.
- To provide opportunities to pray and worship through a variety of prayer forms and liturgies.
- To provide programs for parents to assist them in their responsibilities for the Christian development of their children.
Role of Parents
Parents are the primary educators in the faith. Together with them… all members of the family play an active part in the education of the younger members…The family is defined as the “domestic Church”… General Directory for Catechesis, #255
The Family of Four Faith Formation Program believes that formation in Catholic Christianity employs a partnership between parents and the parish. While the parish can provide formal formation in faith, we encourage, and provide support for, parents to take an active role in their children’s ongoing faith development. Our Catholic tradition sees weekly participation in the Mass to be an essential practice for this to take place.
Role of the Catechist
Catechists in our Family Faith Formation Program are Catholic persons of faith who volunteer their time and talent to share that gift of faith with the youth of the parish. Catechists strive to build up a community spirit among the youth which will strengthen and nourish them, and which will call them to discover, internalize, proclaim, and live the Gospel message, and to grow in faith.
Family of Four Faith Formation Programs
Elementary Faith Formation – Grades K4-5
Elementary Faith Formation is designed for children in grades K4–5 who attend public schools or non-Catholic private schools. Classes are held at the Ss. Peter & Paul Ministry Center and are led by trained volunteer catechists committed to sharing the Catholic faith in an engaging, meaningful, and age-appropriate way.
Classes meet three Wednesdays each month from 6:00 – 7:15 pm, beginning in September and continuing through May. Through prayer, reflection, and faith-filled experiences, students are encouraged to grow in their relationship with Christ and live as active members of the Catholic community.
Because parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, parents and/or an adult family representative are expected to participate in a monthly family formation session. These gatherings provide meaningful adult faith formation, practical tools, and spiritual support to help families nurture and strengthen their faith at home.
Please register online at https://tinyurl.com/faithformation2627. If you have questions, please contact Heather Warner, Director of Family Faith Formation, at hwarner@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd – Grades K3-1
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori-based approach to religious education that uses hands-on materials rooted in Scripture and Liturgy to inspire wonder in the child and nurture a personal, prayerful relationship between the child and the Good Shepherd. Through careful preparation of the catechist and the environment, children are given space to listen, ponder, pray, and encounter God in a profound and joyful way. The Atrium is a sacred, hands-on space in which both the children and their catechists can hear, ponder, and celebrate the most essential mysteries of the Christian faith as revealed in the Scriptures and the Liturgy.
In the 2026-27 catechetical year the Family of Four Faith Formation Program will offer Atrium Level One for children in K3-K5 and Atrium Two for children in grades 1-2. Both Atriums will meet three Wednesdays each month from 6:00 – 7:15 pm, beginning in September and continuing through May.
**Please note: Children should be fully potty-trained and no older than 5 years old on or before September 1 of the year they will begin CGS Atrium Level One. Due to space constraints only children enrolled in CGS during the 2025-26 catechetical year can be enrolled into Atrium Level Two.
Because parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, parents and/or an adult family representative are expected to participate in a monthly family formation session while children participate in the Atrium. These gatherings provide meaningful adult faith formation, practical tools, and spiritual support to help families nurture and strengthen their faith at home.
Please register online at https://tinyurl.com/faithformation2627. If you have questions, please contact Heather Warner, Director of Family Faith Formation, at hwarner@ffpmke.org or 414-962-2443.
Middle School Faith Formation – Grades 6-8
Middle School Faith Formation classes will meet three Wednesdays each month from 6:00 – 7:15 pm, beginning in September and continuing through May.
Youth in grades 6-8 will explore Altaration: The Mystery of the Mass Exposed which is a program endorsed by the USCCB. The aim of the curriculum is to deepen the young person’s understanding and appreciation of the Mass and the priesthood. It aims to connect the liturgy with their everyday lives and help them see the Mass as a profound and meaningful experience. The program uses a unique learning experience, including videos and a student workbook, to encourage thought, conversation, and a deeper love for the Mass.
In addition to our Wednesday programming, our middle school youth are encouraged to attend our monthly youth group called Nova Night. Here, they will add to their faith formation with personally tailored faith themes, service projects, and a deeper chance to meet and grow in friendship with each other.
Because parents are the primary educators of their children in the faith, parents and/or an adult family representative are expected to participate in a monthly family formation session. These gatherings provide meaningful adult faith formation, practical tools, and spiritual support to help families nurture and strengthen their faith at home.
Please register for Middle School Faith Formation online at https://tinyurl.com/faithformation2627. If you have questions, please contact Nino Rebholz, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at nrebholz@ffpmke.org or 414-271-6577.
High School Faith Formation – Grades 9-12
The High School Faith Formation Program provides students in grades 9–12 with the opportunity to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ, grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith, and establish a strong spiritual foundation that will support them well beyond their high school years. Each gathering is intentionally designed to foster authentic community through fellowship, prayer in the church, engaging large-group presentations, and small-group discussion.
Two years of high school Christian formation classes are required of any young person not enrolled in a Catholic high school before they begin to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Please register for High School Faith Formation at https://tinyurl.com/teensfaithformation2627. If you have questions, please contact Nino Rebholz, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, at nrebholz@ffpmke.org or 414-271-6577.
SPRED (Special Religious Development)
SPRED is a small faith community in a parish which includes children or adults with special needs. SPRED integrates people with developmental disabilities more fully into the mainstream of parish life: it offers faith formation, gives parishioners an inviting place and opportunity to connect with persons with disabilities, and offers ways to more fully include persons with disabilities into the liturgy. The SPRED method creates an awareness of God while giving our SPRED friends a sense that they are loved by God and are persons of honor and dignity. Our SPRED friends learn to know God.
SPRED is offered at Family of Four Parishes. To get a better idea of a SPRED session with friends, watch a video at spredmilwaukee.org. For more information, visit spredmilwaukee.org.
