Our Faith | Learning and Living as a Catholic

 

Faith Formation for Youth, Young Adults and Adults


To register children for our
2023 Faith Formation Program contact Kierston Brown

For more information, contact Kierston Brown, our director of faith formation.


Our Catholic faith comprises what we believe and how we live that belief. For more than 2,000 years, this Catholic faith has been handed down from one generation to the next, starting with Jesus Christ passing the faith to the Twelve Apostles. In our own lives, we may receive that faith from our parents, from friends, or even a stranger we meet. At Holy Cross, we provide opportunities for our youth to be formed in their faith, and for adults to continue to grow in knowledge and understanding.


Holy Cross Youth Faith Formation

2023-24 Faith Formation Program


2024 Vacation Bible Camp | Check back for details

for children in preschool through grade 5 

Volunteer opportunities for teens (junior high and older) and adults

For details, contact Kierston Abernathy-Brown, our director for Faith Formation


Youth Sacramental Preparation


Check back later for the 2023-24 Youth Faith Formation calendar


Have questions about faith formation at Holy Cross? Send an email message to our director of religious education, Kierston Brown, at faithformation@holycrossdurham.org. Include your child's name, age and grade in school.

  • First Reconciliation and First Communion | Children who are or will be age 7 before June 11 (and those who are older but have not yet had their first Confession nor received First Communion) are invited to prepare to receive these sacraments. Details will be posted here and to our parish's News Blog when available, and will be distributed to the parish via our Flocknote resource, from faithformation@holycrossdurham.org.

  • Confirmation Preparation: Details to come.


  • Children's Mass is on the second Sunday of each month. At this Mass, young children are asked to sit in the front pew of the church, on the right; older children are asked to serve as lector and usher.

  • Online video content: OSV Kids  and the children's section in our FORMED, an online faith formation resource with content for all ages.

 

Youth Ministry Preparation | Alter Servers

Children who have received the sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion will be given instruction that prepares them for the joyful and honorable experience of being an altar server.


Youth Ministry Preparation | Lector and Usher Preparation

Our older students are invited to serve as lectors and ushers. This is a wonderful way for our youth to participate in the Mass and gain a deeper understanding about all the various parts of the Mass and service to others. All youth are encouraged to participate in liturgical ministry roles on the second Sunday of the month, our Youth Mass.

Adult Newcomers to Catholicism and Ongoing Adult Formation

 

If you are new to Catholicism, we invite you to click the links at the images below for introductions to what we believe and to learn about the Catholic Church today. If you are interested in learning more, send a message to our faith formation director, Kierston Brown, at this address: faithformation@holycrossdurham.org or reach out to Deacon Phil Rzewnicki, OFS.

 


  • Online video content: OSV Kids  and the children's section in FORMED, mentioned above.

 

Adult Faith Formation

 

  • Young Adult Nights


  • RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is for those 18 and older who are interested in starting (or continuing) their journey to join the Catholic Church. Contact: Deacon Phil Rzewnicki, OFS

  • Book Clubs and Seasonal Programs are held throughout the year. Check our Featured Events Calendar for a listing of upcoming events. You can also sign up to participate in our events at our Flocknote account. Click here  or on the little blue lamb icon at the bottom right corner of our website home page.  Once in Flocknote, you can see our list of ministries as well as upcoming events. If you see something that interests you, click to sign up. You can also read the latest Flocknote messages in the Flocknote News Feed on the home page of our website.
  • Explore resources in our FORMED account. At Our Sunday Visitor explore the extensive catalog of video lectures and movies on a Catholic topics. 

 


Living as a Catholic includes many wonderful beliefs, practices, and devotions — too many to catalog here. We offer here a brief overview of what we believe and how we live that belief, a resource for both non-Catholics interested in exploring Catholicism, as well as those who are Catholic seeking to deepen the understanding and practice of their faith. We invite you to explore information at the following links:

 


A Message from our Pastor & DRE


We appeal to you, to join us in encouraging your child to serve in some way and to support their participation. This is a great opportunity to begin experiencing “the living of their faith through service” to the church family. They will have another opportunity for living out their faith in the broader community by volunteering at one of the Catholic charities in the Raleigh/Durham area.


We are grateful for your sincere support in the important development of your child(ren)’s faith and we look forward to seeing you soon!


Blessings,

Rev. Pius Wekesa, Pastor, and Kierston Brown, Director of Faith Formation   


Safe Environment

In accordance with the Diocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, our parish has a Safe Environment Team. The team coordinates the training for all the Catechesis/Faith Formation volunteers that may come in contact with your child(ren) on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. A background check is also conducted as required clearance of all volunteers working with our children.


Faith Formation Registration

The registration fee for classes is $20.00 per child. The fee is requested to help defray the cost of curriculum materials, supplies and other learning resources for our students. All children are welcome regardless of whether you can afford the registration fee. You may drop your registration forms and payment in the collection basket in a sealed envelope marked Faith Formation, drop off at the church office, or mail to Holy Cross Church,  2438 S. Alston Avenue, Durham, NC, 27713


 A copy of each child’s baptismal certificate is required for our records, if this sacrament was administered at another parish.


Parental Participation

Parents are the primary and the best influence in their children’s faith-growth and in their religious and moral development. Attending Sunday Mass is part of your child’s faith development and an essential requirement if they are in a sacramental class. Parents of youth in the sacramental classes are expected to attend the workshops necessary for the preparation of these sacraments. You will be informed of the dates of these workshops in advance. 


It is requested that the parents walk children to class, stay with them until their catechist arrives and pick them up promptly at 12:30 PM.


We are grateful for your sincere support in the important development of your child(ren)’s faith and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Blessings,

Rev. Pius Wekesa, Pastor

Kierston Brown, Director of Faith Formation

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