Faith Formation
Serving Albany Diocese Churches of
Athens, Cairo, Catskill, Coxsackie, East Durham, Greenville, Haines Falls, Palenville, Ravena, and Windham
Up To Date
Faith Formation News
Green County Plus
Youth Gathering
Informal Social night with games,
food, music, prayer and fun of course! Details below.
Please see the schedule and calendar below for days and times.
Call for Volunteers
We are excited to begin, but as you can imagine - we need more help! By help, we mean everything from catechists and classroom assistants to copying and filing paperwork to preparing crafts and more! We will be working with all levels of students ranging from Kindergarten to High School!
Imagine how rewarding it would be to share your faith with our families and the next generation!
Saying you are interested is NOT a long-term commitment. We can work with everyone's skills and schedules and our goal is to find a place that fits best for each of you to enhance the sharing of our Catholic faith with our young people and families. We are here to help you with materials, guidance and prayers every step of the way.
We don’t need you to have a master's level teachers of theology degree. We need people with 3 things:
1. Love of Jesus
2. Love of People, especially young people and families
3. Willingness to share the love of Jesus with these people!
If you are interested in volunteering please contact one of the local leaders on the contact page below.
The Bible: God’s Plan For Salvation
Have you ever read the whole Bible? Which one (there are many)? Which translation (there are even more)? Which Theological point of view (there are so much more)? Did you know that one approach to discovering the Bible is to examine it as being God’s plan for humanity’s salvation?
Well, beginning May 1, 2024, Deacon Mike will be leading a Bible Study course on this very topic. The focus will be on the first five books of the Old Testament (aka, the Torah or Pentateuch in the Hebrew Scriptures) and the TV series; The Chosen.
If you would like to join him, we will be meeting every Wednesday evening during this summer (May 1 through to September 4) at the HVVW Network Office (St. Patrick’s Church, 66 William St., Catskill, 12414) from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M.
It will be open to everyone (ages 18 and over), including summer visitors. You will need to bring your own bible and a notebook. Please let us know if you will be attending by calling the Network Office at (518) 943-3150 so that we know how many chairs to set up.
Our Faith Formation programs provide a fun, engaging faith education for children and youth in K through 12th grade. This year we will have 3 age groups in order to serve our youth in a developmentally appropriate way. These programs are scheduled to begin in October.
Scroll down to see individual programs.
Groups
Faith Seekers
After Opening Prayer, children attending Mass with their families will be invited to join to listen to a more kid friendly reading of the Gospel, participate in a short discussion/reflection of its message, and discuss/reflect how its message relates to them.
This may be followed by a brief related activity before the children are asked to re-join their families.
We are asking families to register;
however, there is no fee to register.
Faith Seekers has begun for all parishes. Please see the schedule page below for what Masses are available.
Mass Appeal
This program aims to provide students with an understanding and appreciation of the Catholic Mass and take them on a journey through the Bible with a focus on Old Testament stories.
Topics covered include the liturgical year, statues, relics, pictures, and the Stations of the Cross. Hands-on opportunities will be provided for students to explore different aspects of the Mass. The program also covers the main people, places, and events of salvation history as recorded in the Bible. Class sessions will include narrative stories, engaging hands-on activities, videos, skits, and plays.
Students will participate in a class service project of their choice.
Cost 5th-12th Grade:
$35 for 1 child
$65 for 2 children
$90 for 3 children
$100 max for family
Please remember there are scholarships available and
NO ONE should miss out due to financial hardships!
Disciples of Jesus
The Faith Formation program for grades 7 through 12 will focus on The Chosen, a drama series about the life of Jesus.
The goal is for students to better understand Jesus and learn about those who became his disciples.
Sessions will involve watching episodes, small group discussion, and comparing episodes to biblical references and our Catholic Faith. Students will also participate in service projects to possibly include serving at and/or preparing for Stations of the Cross, Holy Week, a Youth Mass, etc.
Please remember there are scholarships available and NO ONE should miss out
due to financial hardships!
Cost 5th-12th Grade:
$35 for 1 child
$65 for 2 children
$90 for 3 children
$100 max for family
Schedule of Events
Faith Seekers (during Mass) | Mass Appeal | Didisciples of Jesus | |
Athens | 4:00 PM 1st and 3rd Saturdays 10:45 AM Sundays | 11:45 AM-12:45 PM Sundays | 9:15 AM - 10:40 AM Sundays |
Cairo | See East Durham | TBD | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Mondays |
Catskill | 4:00 PM 2nd and 4th Saturdays | See Athens | See Athens |
Coxsackie | 11:30 AM Sundays | 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM Sundays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Sundays (using a similar rotation of locations as last year) |
East Durham | 4:00 PM Saturdays | TBD | See Cairo |
Greenville | See East Durham | TBD | See Cairo |
Haines Falls | 11:00 AM Sundays | See Palenville | See Palenville |
Palenville | 9:00 AM Sundays | 5:30 - 6:30 Tuesdays | 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Tuesdays |
Ravena | 9:30 AM Sundays | following the 9:30 AM Mass Sundays | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Sundays (using a similar rotation of locations as last year) |
Windham | See East Durham | TBD | See Cairo |
Calendar
Faith Seekers
Every weekend
Not meeting December 16/17, 23/24 or 30/31
(Resume January 6 & 7th)
all dates are for the week starting with Sunday
2023
October
22
29
November
5
12
19
26 THANKSGIVING BREAK - NO CLASS
December
3
10
17, 24, 31 NO CLASS (Mass Attendance!)
Mass Appeal & Disciples of Jesus
all dates are for the week starting with Sunday
January
7
14 MLK BREAK - NO CLASS
21
28
February
4
11 Youth Mass
14 Ash Wednesday
18 FEBRUARY BREAK - NO CLASSES
25
March
3
10
Mass Appeal & Disciples of Jesus
2024
Click here to see Schedule for times
Registration
Please select the registration form for the Church you would like to register with this year.
Print
Sacred Heart - Palenville
Immaculate Conception - Haines Falls
Online
St. Patrick's - Ravena
St. Mary's - Coxsackie
St. Patrick's - Catskill
St. Patrick's - Athens
Print
Online
Sacred Heart - Cairo
St. John the Baptist - Greenville
Our Lady of Knock - East Durham
St. Theresa of the Child - Windham
Contact Us
Vicariate Office Phone: 518-943-3150
Athens
Catskill
Ravena
Haines Falls