This group is open to all adults of the parish. Meeting on a weekly basis year round on Thursday evenings, the group discusses certain topics of the Bible agreed on by the group and facilitated by the leader.
This class is offered several times a year and is required before a baptism can be held at St. Philip. It prepares parents for the baptism of children.
Religious education for our children pre-school through high school.
Faith formation is a life-long activity. It is expected that students participate in classes each year from pre-school through senior year of high school.
It is important that parents and families recognize the vital role they play in the faith formation of our youth. Pope John Paul II's "Familiaris Consortio" teaches that the family is the core of all society for the family teaches one to the meaning of love, which is self-giving. That love will spiral out, first, to other members of one’s own family, then to other families, then to society at large. The family is the vital core of society and its school of social virtue.
“The future of humanity passes by way of the family.” (FC 86) The Church teaches that it is the task of families themselves to join with people of good will in building a society and state which respect, value, promote and defend the family.
“You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so, you are accepting the responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring this child up to keep God’s Commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor.” Our parish religious education program helps parents to meet this commitment by beginning religious education for children as young as three years old! We continue faith formation for our youth through their senior year in high school. After that, they have the opportunity to become part of our college student and young adult ministries. Faith formation is a life long activity!
The pre-school religious education program is for ages 3, 4, and 5 (pre-school, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten). Classes are held during the 8:30am and 11:00am Masses. We use the child’s age as of September 30th (the same as the local school system) as the basis for placement in a particular class.
Religious education classes for grades 1 through 8 are held on Sunday mornings from 9:45am to 10:45am (between Masses)
Religious education classes for grades 9 through 12 (High Schooler’s for Him) meet weekly and are held Sunday afternoons 12:00 noon until 2:00pm from September through May (lunch is included).
Class | Meeting Time |
Pre-school | (3 yrs old) 8:30 and 11am Sunday Masses |
Pre-Kindergarten | (4 yrs old) 8:30 and 11am Sunday Masses |
Kindergarten | (5 yrs old) 8:30 and 11am Sunday Masses |
Grades 1 - 8 | 9:45 - 10:45am Sunday between Masses |
Grades 9 - 12 | 12 - 2pm Sunday afternoon (lunch provided) |
First Holy Communion / Penance
During the 2nd grade religious education year, children receive instruction. Preparation for First Communion is a two year process. Students who are in 2nd grade, but who have not been a part of a formal formation program the prior year, are placed in a 1st grade class. Usually, we have more than one student in this situation. All these students will be in the same class as space allows.
Confirmation
During the 8th grade religious education year, students receive instruction and attend a retreat. The sacrament is received in May or June as scheduled by the Bishop.
Special Sacramental Preparation
We realize that families come to us from many different areas of the country and that at their previous parishes, they may have had different grade levels for reception of the sacraments. Parents with older students who have not received any or all of the above sacraments should contact Kim Leisinger in the Religious Education Office.
Religious Education Support Committee
Ministry Lead: Jayne Milton . 615-790-8721
Student aides assist teachers throughout the year (must be at least in the 6th grade). General helpers provide assistance on Sunday mornings or during the week in the CCD office. The support committee provides food preparation during various functions throughout the year.
CONNECT Bible Study
Ministry Lead: Brendan Reynolds . 615-794-8588 ext 26
This group is open to all high school age teens of the parish. Meeting on a weekly basis from September through May on Wednesday evenings, the group discusses certain topics of the Bible agreed on by the group and facilitated by the leader.
Ministry Lead: Saul Keeton . 615-472-1107
The Adult Faith Formation class is open to all adults of the parish and is based on the premise that - upon being Confirmed - we do not stop growing in the Catholic faith or pursuing holiness. The overarching goal of the class to lead people closer to God through prayer and greater knowledge of the Catholic faith. This is accomplished by exploring both traditional elements of the Catholic faith and contemporary Church teachings. We also discuss current events as they relate to the Catholic Church. The result is a deeper connection with God and the universal Church and a fuller living of our Catholic lives. The class meets from 9:30am to 10:50am (between Masses) on Sunday mornings from September through May. Childcare is provided.
High Schooler’s for Him
Ministry Lead: Kim Leisinger . 615-794-8588 ext 29
St. Philip’s High Schooler’s for Him is an opportunity for 9th through 12th graders to grow in their Catholic faith. This is the religious education program for all 9th through 12th graders. High Schooler’s for Him meets on Sunday at 12:00 noon after 11:00am Mass. Lunch is provided.
Parent's First
Ministry Lead: Matt Gill . 615-794-8588 ext 34
Open to all parents with children ages 12 and up. Parent’s First is designed to educate and form parents so that they can pass the faith on to their children. Vatican II says that parents are the first catechists. This program will help parents to know their faith better and give the confidence necessary to evangelize and catechize their children and family members. In the program we will learn prayers, doctrine and life application in the context of the liturgical year.
St. Philip Studies in Truth
Ministry Lead: Shannon Breedlove . 615-719-8692
Please consider participating in this great opportunity to fellowship with others in our parish community while nourishing your faith through the study of Sacred Truth as revealed by Our Lord through His Church. A new study starts in September each year and includes both written and audio-visual materials based in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The course of study for the year will be announced and registration formally held during the August Ministry Fair. There is a small fee to cover the cost of study materials for each participant. We meet weekly September through May (both morning and evening groups are offered). Nursery services are available.
Vacation Bible School
Ministry Lead: Tracy Clark . 615-595-8073
VBS is held during one week in June. Religious concepts and scripture passages are taught through various activities including drama, art, crafts, music, games and science. VBS needs volunteers as teachers and in various activity areas. In addition, 6th grade students and older are invited to participate as volunteers.