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Ministry: Formation Ministries

Formation Ministries

The formation of our parish family is of highest importance as we deepen our relationship with Jesus and one another. The following programs exist for our parish family to fulfill this purpose.

Cross Step is for children ages 1 (and walking) through 4 years old who will engage in age-appropriate hands-on activities to teach them about the Catholic faith while their parents attend Sunday 9am Mass. Cross Walk is a small group-based faith formation program for elementary-aged children, grades K-5 offered on Sunday mornings throughout the school year. Each session is centered on the Gospel heard at Mass while offering small-group fellowship in a fun, safe environment.

Cross Train (grades 6-8) and Cross Road (grades 9-12) are small group-based faith formation programs for our middle school and high school youth. These programs offer faith and fellowship in a fun, social setting and safe environment!

Young Adult ministry group exists to engage with our young adults for fun activities to provide an opportunity for them to gather socially and engage in faith filled activities.

Adult faith formation is offered on Sunday mornings in between the 9am and 11:45am Masses. These sessions are opportunities to deepen participant’s understanding of the Catholic faith while connecting each topic to the reality of daily life.

Cross Road (9-12)

Cross Road is our high school youth ministry program. 9th grade is usually the 2nd year of Confirmation preparation (link to Confirmation page), and all 9th-grade students who are not attending a Catholic High school should attend. All high school youth can attend Cross Road, regardless of grade.

Cross Road takes place after the 5:30 pm Sunday Mass and meets roughly three times per month. We use a youth ministry model for “youth nights.” Participants GATHER together for a snack and fellowship, followed by a PROCLAIM given by an adult leader or peer leader. We then BREAK into designated small groups, led by adult group leaders, to engage in deeper discussion of the evening’s proclaim. Small groups allow youth participants to build relationships within the groups and create a sense of community. Finally, we come back together to pray and to be SENT back into the world.

In addition to regular Sunday evening youth nights, youth are provided with opportunities to participate in retreats, socials, and service projects throughout the session year.

 

Contact:

Cross Train (6-8)

Cross Train is our middle school faith formation programOur goal is to connect the youth to each other, to our parish and church at large, and God and Jesus ChristWe do this by creating a fun, engaging, meaningful, and faith-filled environmentOur youth ministry model follows Jesus’ ministry on earth: gather, proclaim, break, and sendJoin us as we meet two to three Sundays a month from 6:45-8:15Learn, grow, and serve in our five social nights, five service projects, and prayer evenings included in our regular youth night program. 

 

Contact:

Becky Cawley

becky.cawley@stfrancisraleigh.org

Cross Walk (K-5)

Cross Walk meets immediately after the 9:00 AM Mass on Sunday mornings by breaking open the treasures of the Mass. Children hear a short “proclaim” in the Church challenging them to put their faith into action by living The Word heard at Mass. We live the Gospel and bring the Gospel to life.  Just as the USCCB’s National Directory for Catechesis says, “Catechesis both precedes the Liturgy and springs from it.”

Contact:

Faith and Science Forum

The forum meets to discuss books, ask questions, and support one another in our mutual discovery and appreciation of our common home. We affirm with Pope Francis in Laudato Si that the mystery of nature reveals the divine, that the Spirit is active in creation, that each creature has its own purpose, and that the universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely. We meet every first and third Wednesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. 
            

Contact:

Stephen Andrews

stephenwandrews@outlook.com

Assisi Scripture/Adult Bible Study

All are welcome for adult bible study groups.

Contact:

Brooke Kingston

brooke.kingston@stfrancisraleigh.org

Young Adults Ministry

Hosting social, service, and spiritual events for those in their 20s and 30s. Single, married, or divorced; with kids or without – all are welcome!

 

Contact:

Tim Hetzel

(919) 847-8205 x 238

Men’s Prayer Breakfast

The Men’s Prayer Breakfast meets in person in the Community Center, Padua Room every 1st and 3rd Mondays from 8 to 9 am. The meetings provide a way for men to come together for fellowship. We select a book for discussions that deals with faith and life issues. See Men’s Prayer Breakfast on Realm for details on the meeting. 

Contact:

Deacon Steve Andrews

stephenwandrews@outlook.com | 732-213-0104

Cross Step

Cross Step is the newest addition to St. Francis of Assisi’s Cross faith formation programs. Cross Step is for children ages 1 (and walking) through 5 years old, who are not enrolled in kindergarten for the current school year. CROSS STEP partners with St. Francis of Assisi families by providing their children with a strong foundation on which to build their lifelong faith. Registration for the Cross Step program is ongoing year-round from 9am to 10am. Please register here for the 2024-2025 school year.

Contact:

Amy Daley

amy.daley@stfrancisraleigh.org | (919) 847-8205 x 489

Baptism Preparation

Meeting with and preparing our families with infants and children to celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism through a once-a-month preparation session.

Contact:

Martina Dumberger
(919) 847-8205 x 264