Faith Formation is such a major ministry in this parish (as it is in most parishes) that it has a separate full-time administrator. This administrator is accountable for all life-long religious education programs and experiences. This includes all religious education programs and working with the religion teachers in the Catholic school.

Below is an overview of the various programs, activities, and committees which the commission covers. Watch this page for future feature articles about our outreach activities here at St. Gabriel.

Religious Education
At. St. Gabriel we have a comprehensive religious education program that includes pre-school, grade school, and high school religious education programs. These programs are all held on Sunday morning.

Childrens' Liturgy of the Word (CLOW)
Each Sunday during the school year there is also a special program during the 11:00 Mass in which the scripture is read and explained to the children in a manner that is more age appropriate.

Vacation Bible Camp
During the summer, there is a Vacation Bible Camp.

Sacramental Preparation
The Instruction for Administration of the Sacraments requires that there is a period of catehesis prior to the administration of all the sacraments. The Director of Faith Formation is therefore responsible for all Sacramental Preparation Programs. However, both the Pastor and the Pastoral Associate are actively involved in some of the programs.

• Baptism -- There is a program offered once each quarter for parents whose first child is seeking Baptism. The Office of Faith Formation is responsible for the program, but the pastor and a married couple actually give the class.
• Confirmation -- The Faith Formation Director works with a team of adults in preparation for Confirmation each year. Confirmation candidates at St. Gabriel are usually in the 7/8 grades.
• First Eucharist & First Penance -- Preparation programs are offered each year for the parents of appropriate parishioner candidates.
• Marriage Preparation -- Marriage Preparation is overseen by the pastor with the help of a team of Sponsor Couples who work with the Engaged Couple. Arrangenments need to be made six months prior to the desired wedding date or earlier.
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) -- One of the main efforts each year in parish life is the RCIA program. This program is for anyone who is seeking considering becoming Catholic or is information about Catholicism. The program of weekly classes begins each fall (after Labor Day) and ends shortly after Easter. The Director of Faith Formation is responsible for the program. But there is an RCIA Team who oversees and administers the program. The Pastor and Pastoral Associate are intimately involved in the process.
• Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (RCIC) -- RCIC is the same program for children who are converting, or who have for some reason not received sacraments appropriate for their age.
• RCIA II -- This fall there will also be a RCIA II program. This is a followup program for those who have just joined the church.

Youth Ministry
The Youth Ministry programs for high school through young adult are also an important aspect of parish life. In some parishes, this is another full time position. In St. Gabriel, because of limited finances, the Director of Faith Formation oversees a Youth Ministry Commission made up of parishioners.

The Director of Faith Formation is guided by a Faith Formation Commission, which does planning for the commission, sets policies for the Director, and oversees the annual budget.

In the recent Parish Planning Retreat, it was expressed loud and clear, that youth are a priority for this parish. The Faith Formation Commission plays a very important role in that ministry, it also helps adults to become full members of the community.