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MOST HOLY TRINITY PARISH

Faith Formation at Most Holy Trinity Parish is a life-long process which begins with our Pray and Play Group for toddlers through kindergartners and their families, and goes on indefinitely with the opportunities given to adults to strengthen or learn more about their faith. Indeed, we might even say that informal faith formation begins with infants and toddlers who have the benefit of a "crying space" within our Gathering Space. Below is a summary of Most Holy Trinity's faith formation programs, whose commitment is to help others to continually strive to live out the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

The Faith Formation Programs at Most Holy Trinity in grades 1 through 8 seek to aid parents in providing a Catholic Christian education which integrates the heritage of our Faith with life and learning. Our Catechists seek to encourage individual God-given talents, impart truths and traditions of the Church, and promote the ideals of family and social justice. Needless to say, we teach all the other human and moral values taught to us by both Christ and Church. We wish to help in the formation of mature Christians, who will contribute to Church and society. While doing this, we attempt to create a holistic Christian environment.

The Faith Formation Program at Most Holy Trinity for little ones enrolled in our Pray and Play Program and our Preschool/Kindergarten Class is Lectionary-based. Through Scripture (specifically the Sunday readings and Gospel), we seek to aid parents in providing a Catholic Christian education which integrates the heritage of our Faith with life and learning. We use the Pflaum Gospel weeklies to help us accomplish this goal. Through age-appropriate hands-on activities including song, games, crafts and play, children share in the Gospel message in a way that is just right for them.

We offer a "Liturgy of the Word" for children at most 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM Masses throughout the school year. The children are dismissed from the main Worship Space and enter the Parish Hall (which is connected to the Church) to hear the weekly readings from the nationally approved Children's Lectionary. A trained Word Sharer then gives an interactive homily to the children, again at their level of understanding. After the Creed and Prayers of Petition, the children return to the main Worship Space to join in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. All children and their parents are welcome.

For children in Grades 1 through 5 the Faith First Legacy Program is used. This comprehensive cathechetical series offers a spiral curriculum with emphasis on Scripture and the liturgical year. This means children are continually introduced to Church Doctrine as the break open and apply God's Word to their lives. Family pages are sent home with each lesson, which suggest ways of sharing God's Word in the home. Additional ideas for every member of the family can be found on RCL's "Faith First for Families" website at:
www.FaithFirst.com

Most Holy Trinity has a Junior High Youth Ministry Program for middleschoolers. Using RCL's Morality Life in Christ Legacy Edition, youth learn ways to live a moral life by studying the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes and Catholic Social Teaching. Along with a service learning component, youth learn enjoy food, friendships, faith and fun. Currently the program is done in collaboration with the Biddeford Catholic Community and is housed here at Most Holy Trinity.

High School Youth Ministry is a series of programs and activities to give young people a chance to participate in Church life, develop their faith and spirtuality, and discover new friendships. Service opportunities are available year-round through the Faith Formation Office and include Vacation Bible Camp, teaching Faith Formation, singing in the choir, playing a musical instrument at Liturgy, serving as Lector, helping the needy, and volunteering at the Parish Fair or monthly Coffee and Muffins after Mass. In collaboration with the Biddeford Catholic Community, Most Holy Trinity high schoolers are also welcome to participate in Life Teen Mass and Life Night held at Saint Joseph Church.

Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) welcomes children into the Church who are preparing for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Through an experience of community, children study the Catholic faith under the direction of an RCIC Team, after Breaking Open the Word on Sunday mornings throughout the year. Anyone wishing more information is invited to contact the Faith Formation Office.