Youth Formation

Welcome and thank you for your interest in the Youth Faith Formation program for youth of St Andrew Catholic Church! This page contains information pertaining to our traditional Faith Formation program. This traditional program is available again for the 2025-2026 academic year, however, we are in the process of converting our Religious Education program to a Family Faith Formation format. It is anticipated that this traditional approach will be phased out of the next couple of years. We encourage you to consider the Family Faith Formation option now and opt-in to this new approach for 2025-2026. Click the link to learn more about our all new Family Faith Formation program. 

If this traditional program is still best for your family in 2025-2026, information regarding the program and how to register is provided below. 

As children progress through our faith formation program, they are introduced to the sacraments. Generally, children first receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in 2nd grade. Confirmation preparation is a 3 year process beginning in 8th grade through 10th grade. Confirmation is then received in the fall of the 11th grade. Children will be prepared for these sacraments when they are enrolled in the faith formation program. More specific information for those who are currently in preparation for one of these sacraments can be found on our Sacraments webpage.

All youth (Grades 1 - 10) with exceptions noted below. 

Youth (Grade 11) who are requesting the sacrament of Confirmation. 

• For youth requesting the sacrament of Confirmation must have completed the preparatory work. See the Sacraments webpage for detials.

Note: Parents of children entering 2nd grade in the 2025-2026 academic year will help their child prepare to recieve these sacraments. At least one parent is expected to participate in all sessions with their 2nd grader throughout the year.

Exceptions (these groups do not need to registers for the traditional Faith Formation program):

1. Students who are enrolled at Saint Andrew Catholic School.
2. Students of families who are enrolled in the Family Faith Formation program.

Outline

The faith formation program for all grades is made up of two components:

1. Faith Formation sessions that meet on-site on Wednesday evenings and provide grade appropriate lessons for youth. Sessions meet approximately every third week (a total of 10-12 lessons throughout the year) mid September through early May.
2. Ministry opportunities - Each family will complete at least one ministry activity together at some point during the formation year. 

Format

Grades 1 - 4: Students will be divided by grade and meet in school classrooms from 6:30 - 7:45 PM. Session will be led by adult catechists. 

Grades 5 - 7: Each session will meet from 6:30 - 7:45 pm. Sessions begin in the gym with a large group icebreaker and lesson. Then the students participate in small group discussion and prayer led by an adult catechist.

Grades 8-10: Sessions run from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Students are split into small groups utlizing rooms throughout the church campus. Lessons, discussion and prayer for the small group is led by an adult catechist. 

Cirriculum

Grades 1 - 4: Faith and Life by Ignatius Press.

Grades 5 - 7: TBD

Grades 8 - 10: Chosen by Ascension Press

Weekly Updates with schedules, lessons and additional information will be emailed to all families registered for the 2025-2026 Faith Formation program. 

Sessions meet on Wednesday evenings starting at 6:30 pm. Click the link for the 2025-2026 calendar.

2025-2026 Faith Formation Schedule

If you are not a registered member of our parish, please visit saint-andrew.net/join-us or call (763) 441-1483 to join our parish before registering your children for the Youth Faith Formation program.

Choose a registration option that is most convienent for you. Registration fees are $80 per student. Beginning July 1, the fee increases to $100 per student. There is cap of three paid students per family. 

Option 1: Electronic Registration

To register for Youth Faith Formation, complete the online form linked below:

• 2025-2026 Youth Faith Formation Online Form

Payments and fees will be calculated by the online form and payment will be required at form submission

Option 2: Paper Registration

Download the form using the link below. Completed paper forms can be emailed to faithformation@saint-andrew.net, mailed to or dropped off at the parish office at the address listed below, or upload when making an online payment. Payments can be made online using the link below or by check made payable to "Church of Saint Andrew".

• 2025-2026 Family Faith Formation Form (fillable PDF)
• ONLINE PAYMENT

Mailing address:

Faith Formation

Saint Andrew Catholic Church

566 4th St NW

Elk River, MN 55330

Lectio Divina means "divine reading".  It is a method for praying with the Scriptures.  Saint Paul wrote, "The word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12) We believe that the Holy Spirit is the principle author of Scripture. In our practice of praying with Scripture through Lectio Divina, we are mindful of the Word being living, as it speaks directly into our hearts. We are hopeful that it will become effective, as it moves us to action in our lives. 

Find the Scripture reading for each Day or Weekend at https://bible.usccb.org/

Jesus commanded us to show our love of God by loving and serving each other. "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40). Throughout the year, ministry activities will be offered approximately once a month to provided opportunities for service. Each family in the faith formation program is strongly encouraged to choose one ministry activity at some point during the year and serve together. Ministry opportunities will include events such as the Fall Festival, Feed My Starving Children, Second Harvest and making sandwiches for the Sandwich Project. Once you have completed a ministry project, record your service by filling out this form: click >>HERE<<. To see upcoming opportunities and to sign up, visit the Ministry Opportunities webpage.