The Church's catechetical mission aims to help the faithful of all ages to grow in both human and Christian maturity. At St. Carlo Acutis, we believe that your child's faith formation is a continuing journey; one that begins in the home and is reinforced by the programs we offer. Our main objective is to educate your child using age-appropriate goals and content to empower them. Together we will embrace the understanding of faith, personal growth, family life, relationships, public service, and concern for the common good.
Meet the Ministers
Wednesdays
6:15-7:30 p.m. @ St. John |
Wednesdays
6:15-7:45 p.m. @ St. John |
Sundays
1-3 p.m. @ St. John |
Meet the Saint Squad
St. Carlo Acutis
Patron Saint of Gaming & the Internet |
St. Gabriel
Patron Saint of Good Communication |
St. John the Evangelist
Patron Saint of Loyal Friendships |
St. Michael
Patron Saint of Heroes & Helpers |
Faith for All Ages
Ages 1-5
Taking your children to Mass can be a real struggle, but it is so important. We know developmentally, it's not appropriate to expect our very youngest parishioners to follow along with the entire Mass. Still, we persevere in attending together as our family. To make things a little easier for you, we offer 'Children's Mass Bags' at each of our churches. These simple tote bags offer something for your child to hold and do during Mass, relating to the Mass. Please do not remove Mass bags from church.
Taking your children to Mass can be a real struggle, but it is so important. We know developmentally, it's not appropriate to expect our very youngest parishioners to follow along with the entire Mass. Still, we persevere in attending together as our family. To make things a little easier for you, we offer 'Children's Mass Bags' at each of our churches. These simple tote bags offer something for your child to hold and do during Mass, relating to the Mass. Please do not remove Mass bags from church.
Ages 4 Years-4th Grade: CLOW
Give your child the opportunity to grow in faith during Children’s Liturgy of the Word! During select Sunday Masses, children are invited to a special liturgical experience where the Scripture readings and Gospel are shared in an engaging, age-appropriate way. With stories, songs, visuals, and thoughtful reflections, children are able to better understand and apply God's Word to their own lives. This is not childcare or Sunday School—it’s a meaningful part of the Mass designed just for them.
Children leave after the opening prayer and return before the Liturgy of the Eucharist to rejoin their families. The program helps build faith, community, and a lifelong connection to the Church. We welcome adult volunteers trained in Safe Parish—or those willing to be trained—to join us in this rewarding ministry.
CLOW dismissal takes place at the following Masses:
Give your child the opportunity to grow in faith during Children’s Liturgy of the Word! During select Sunday Masses, children are invited to a special liturgical experience where the Scripture readings and Gospel are shared in an engaging, age-appropriate way. With stories, songs, visuals, and thoughtful reflections, children are able to better understand and apply God's Word to their own lives. This is not childcare or Sunday School—it’s a meaningful part of the Mass designed just for them.
Children leave after the opening prayer and return before the Liturgy of the Eucharist to rejoin their families. The program helps build faith, community, and a lifelong connection to the Church. We welcome adult volunteers trained in Safe Parish—or those willing to be trained—to join us in this rewarding ministry.
CLOW dismissal takes place at the following Masses:
1st Sunday ... 9am ... St. John Church
2nd Sunday ... 9am ... St. Michael Church
4th Sunday ... 10am ... St. Gabriel Church
2nd Sunday ... 9am ... St. Michael Church
4th Sunday ... 10am ... St. Gabriel Church
For more information or to volunteer, contact Kris Koch for more details.
Grades 1-Grades 5: LAUNCH
'Launch' is offered to youth in grades 1-5. This program is designed with educational best practices in mind, featuring targeted movement and multiple modalities. Movement can stimulate learning as it activates the brain and helps children to focus. Utilizing multiple modalities allows students to experience content with multiple senses which activates different parts of the brain and makes the content accessible to all students.
'Launch' is offered to youth in grades 1-5. This program is designed with educational best practices in mind, featuring targeted movement and multiple modalities. Movement can stimulate learning as it activates the brain and helps children to focus. Utilizing multiple modalities allows students to experience content with multiple senses which activates different parts of the brain and makes the content accessible to all students.
Grades 6-8: EDGE
'EDGE' is an effective catechesis for Catholic middle schoolers that helps with life's most challenging years. As middle school youth develop intellectually, they no longer accept faith simply because it is what their parents believe. They have real questions that need real answers. 944 Catholic parishes in 10 countries have an Edge ministry for their middle school youth, including the St. Carlo Acutis Family of Parishes!
'EDGE' is an effective catechesis for Catholic middle schoolers that helps with life's most challenging years. As middle school youth develop intellectually, they no longer accept faith simply because it is what their parents believe. They have real questions that need real answers. 944 Catholic parishes in 10 countries have an Edge ministry for their middle school youth, including the St. Carlo Acutis Family of Parishes!
Grades 9-12: LIFETEEN
We believe that when a teenager encounters Christ through the beauty of the Catholic faith, they will transform their parish, community, and culture. We’ve seen it happen time and time again through our 'Life Teen' programming. Life Teen provides a safe and fun place for youth to find a solid Catholic community, get answers to their questions, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in personal way.
We believe that when a teenager encounters Christ through the beauty of the Catholic faith, they will transform their parish, community, and culture. We’ve seen it happen time and time again through our 'Life Teen' programming. Life Teen provides a safe and fun place for youth to find a solid Catholic community, get answers to their questions, and, most importantly, to experience Jesus in personal way.
Grades 1-8: HOME STUDY
Since the needs of families vary widely, we offer a Home Study Faith Formation program to further support your family. Parents who register for the Home Study Faith Formation program are provided with resources and support to assist them in facilitating lessons at home with their children. Children in our Home Study Faith Formation program use the same materials as our in-person programming and are always invited (as well as strongly encouraged) to participate in any in-person grade-level group faith formation activities offered.
Since the needs of families vary widely, we offer a Home Study Faith Formation program to further support your family. Parents who register for the Home Study Faith Formation program are provided with resources and support to assist them in facilitating lessons at home with their children. Children in our Home Study Faith Formation program use the same materials as our in-person programming and are always invited (as well as strongly encouraged) to participate in any in-person grade-level group faith formation activities offered.
Volunteers Needed
The success of our program depends on many volunteers, including catechists, co-catechists, assistant catechists, office assistants, and substitute catechists. Your help and time are needed and greatly appreciated. Books, supplies, and training are provided.
The success of our program depends on many volunteers, including catechists, co-catechists, assistant catechists, office assistants, and substitute catechists. Your help and time are needed and greatly appreciated. Books, supplies, and training are provided.
Sacramental Prep
The Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation require additional commitment. Each participant in our Youth Faith Formation programs will be fully prepared to receive the sacraments at the appropriate time.
The Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation require additional commitment. Each participant in our Youth Faith Formation programs will be fully prepared to receive the sacraments at the appropriate time.
Child Protection Information
The Archdiocese uses the SafeParish platform for Child Protection training and compliance. SafeParish is an organization that specializes in training and education solutions for organizations world-wide. They have 20+ years of experience in providing child safe environment training programs. SafeParish will continue to work with our current background check provider – Selection.com. Ongoing child protection training will still be required for all volunteers and employees - it will consist of quarterly interactive video-based training instead of monthly bulletins. Please check your email for an invitation from SafeParish ([email protected]). If you have received the message, simply follow the prompts. Otherwise, you can link to the SafeParish address and click the “Register” link to begin the process.
It is your responsibility, to make sure your contact information is current and the list of locations in your account is current. You can add and delete locations by going to 'Update My Account.'
Background Checks
Everyone MUST have background checks completed – either electronically and/or through fingerprinting.
The Archdiocese uses the SafeParish platform for Child Protection training and compliance. SafeParish is an organization that specializes in training and education solutions for organizations world-wide. They have 20+ years of experience in providing child safe environment training programs. SafeParish will continue to work with our current background check provider – Selection.com. Ongoing child protection training will still be required for all volunteers and employees - it will consist of quarterly interactive video-based training instead of monthly bulletins. Please check your email for an invitation from SafeParish ([email protected]). If you have received the message, simply follow the prompts. Otherwise, you can link to the SafeParish address and click the “Register” link to begin the process.
It is your responsibility, to make sure your contact information is current and the list of locations in your account is current. You can add and delete locations by going to 'Update My Account.'
Background Checks
Everyone MUST have background checks completed – either electronically and/or through fingerprinting.