Faith Formation for Elementary School-Age Children: Our
Philosophy
Through forming a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, elementary school-age children build a strong
foundation for lifelong discipleship.
It is essential that parish and school programs for elementary school-age children create a nurturing
community for households to grow in faith, providing opportunities for conversion and formation not only
for the child but for the entire household.
As children mature, ongoing catechesis is needed to help them observe, explore, interpret, and judge their
experiences, ascribe Christian meaning to their lives, and act according to the norms of faith and love. The
truths of our faith should be presented at every age to allow for an ever-deepening understanding and
growth in lived faith.
Experiential learning includes the recognition that the entire faith community is an important part of
children's experiences: households, parishes, schools, and the faith community all have essential roles in
the catechesis of the young.
