Mission                                                                        

Proclaim Christ’s message, participate in efforts to develop community, lead people to worship and prayer, create an awareness of injustices in our society, and help people to serve others.”

God is the vital and ever present reality. Through Christ, the Holy Spirit invites us to know and experience His presence especially in Sacred Scripture, liturgy, doctrine, and daily situations wherein we encounter each other.

The primary task of Christian Formation programming is to provide opportunity and experience to enable each person to develop his/her faith response to God’s call. Christian Formation programming finds direction and guidance through understanding of the Gospel, which calls us to recognize that all people of the world, Christian and non-Christian, are members of the Body of Christ. And it is the Holy Spirit who draws us together as one human family.

Our individual faith response leads us toward cooperation in building a world based upon unity, while cherishing each individual as unique, and created in the very image and likeness of God.

This vision is realized by a living, mature and dynamic faith; by the belief that faith is more readily caught than taught.

Our Catholic Christian heritage is experienced most fully in an atmosphere of a living community of faith. Such a community is known and recognized by its caring relationships, apostolic involvement and liturgical celebration.

Essential to Christian formation, therefore, is the vision that faith growth is a total community endeavor, including a person’s daily life, the local community, the parish, and especially the home.

Christian Formation is a lifelong process aimed at personal conversion and growth in faith. The purpose of this board is to establish policies, which ensure this process, and to advise and support the Directors of the Christian Formation programs.

The Christian Formation Board has the following duties:

• To ensure that all parish members are provided access to Christian Formation regardless of sex, ethnic origin, age or disability.
• To develop policy.
• To be a resource to the parish on Christian Formation matters.
• To review and advise the Christian Formation staff on the preparation of the parish Christian Formation handbook.
• To respond to parish needs pertaining to Christian Formation programs on a yearly basis.
• To evaluate Christian Formation programs on an as-needed basis.

The board will consist of the pastor or his designee, nine voting parish members, one voting youth member, and the retiring chairperson (ex-officio member). The board strives to have balance in gender, age and catechetical experience. It is important that at least one member is or has been a youth catechist. Any registered parish member who is at least 16 years of age is eligible to become a board member. Board members are installed after completing the prescribed nomination and discernment process.

4 & 5 Year Olds
Classes for K4 and K5 meet during the 9:00 a.m. mass for those who are oldest or only children, and at 9:30 a.m. for those with older siblings in the program. Classes are on Sundays from September to May. The pre-school/kindergarten program provides learning experiences based on the child’s level of understanding and ability to participate.

Grades 1 to 5
Classes are held on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and at two sessions on Wednesday afternoons/evenings. The basics of the Catholic faith are presented at every grade level in an age-appropriate manner. Lesson plans are designed to help young people experience their Catholic identity, integrate their Catholic values, and express their Catholic beliefs.

Grade 6
In agreement with the Directors of Christian Formation and Youth Ministers of the quad-parish, sixth grade catechesis remains in the elementary program. At St. John Vianney, these students however, use the the Junior High program in an effort to bridge the transition between the two grade levels.

Junior High (Grades 7 and 8)
Classes take place on Sunday evenings and Wednesday afternoons. The program consists of eight weeks of catechetical instruction followed by five weeks of service in which two service opportunities are completed each semester. The curriculum takes into account young people’s personal development on all levels-physical, intellectual, emotional, social, moral, and spiritual. In light of these characteristics and needs, we can respond to the developmental needs of early adolescence in terms of faith and religion.

Quad Parish Collaboration
The parishes of St. Mary’s (Elm Grove), St. Joseph’s (Wauwatosa), St. Dominic’s and St. John Vianney work together to provide various service, social, and formational opportunities which enhance the formation of the junior high student.

Grade 9
The ninth grade Christian Formation program and curriculum concerns itself with Christian morality, decision-making, the Social Gospel and issues of justice and peace. Ninth graders meet in small groups in advisors’ homes on Wednesday and Sunday evenings.
There is no greater challenge for young people today than to live a Christian life. Small groups led by adult advisors facilitate discussion and sharing that encourages our teens to live the values embodied by Jesus Christ as presented in Scripture, and by the faith traditions of the Catholic Church. Curriculum, along with small and large-group sessions help to identify the Christian values and attitudes that are instrumental to developing an informed conscience.
All ninth graders attending public high school are required to participate in all ninth grade small and large group sessions as a prerequisite to beginning the Confirmation program in their sophomore year.

Special Needs Ministry
People who are cognitively, physically, and/or socially challenged are invited and encouraged to be part of the Christian Formation programs. Needs will be addressed on an individual basis. Every attempt will be made to place the individual in the least restrictive educational environment of benefit to all involved.
St. John Vianney Parish coordinates a tri-parish special needs program for people of junior high age and older, with special needs. The program called RISEN is an acronym for Religious Instruction Special Educational Needs. Please contact the Director of Child Ministry for further information.

Summer Bible Program
St. John Vianney Parish strives to offer summer opportunities that meet the needs of the children of the community. Each summer, scripture-based programs will be developed for children of various ages.

Baptism
Infant Baptisms are coordinated through Adult & Family Ministry (see page 18). Baptism of children ages 3-17 is coordinated through the Child and Adolescent Ministry. Contact the Christian Formation Office for additional information.

First Communion
First Communion preparation usually takes place during the second grade year. Parents are expected to attend formational meetings and to complete home preparation activities with their child. Christian Formation classes will provide support for sacramental preparation. First Communion is celebrated the first Saturday of May. The proper term in referring to the reception of Jesus’ body and blood for the first time is First Communion, rather than First Eucharist. The word Eucharist takes into consideration the total celebration of the Mass. It is assumed that children have been attending Mass without receiving communion since infancy; therefore, what they are participating in for the first time is the reception of Communion.

First Reconciliation
First Reconciliation preparation usually takes place during the second grade year. Parents are expected to attend formational meetings and to complete home preparation activities with their child. Christian Formation classes will provide support for sacramental preparation. The date of First Reconciliation may vary.

Rite of Christian Initiation adapted for children (RCIC)
This process follows the RCIA format. Children ages 3 to 18 who are in need of Baptism, First Communion, or First Reconciliation can participate. Contact the Director of Child Ministry for further information.

Pre-Confirmation (Grade 9)
All ninth graders attending public high school are required to participate in all ninth grade small- and large-group sessions as a prerequisite to beginning the Confirmation program in their sophomore year.

Confirmation (Grades 10 and 11)
Confirmation preparation is a two-year process of initiation into the Catholic Church through the parish. Its general purposes are to:

• call one forth to maturity in body, mind and soul
• foster commitment to the Catholic Christian Tradition
• challenge each confirmand to give witness to gospel values in their daily lives by responding to God’s personal and unique call