News

Faith Formation News

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:01:33 GMT

Expansion of Family Faith Formation

CNCC Family Mass

Once a month, we are planning to have children and parents more involved in Sunday Mass. While most months the Mass will not be on

a Sunday School - Family Faith Formation morning Mass Sunday, the first one will be. The reason is that we're hoping to entice families that only come on Sundays for CCD to consider coming more often and/or to get engaged and to have their children involved once they see other children doing the readings, singing, ushering, etc. Therefore, the first children/family mass is scheduled for Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 10:30 am (St. James). (The next family mass will be at St. John's and will alternate months after that.) If your child would like to sing, please reach out to Kristen, our Music Director at MusicDirector@CCNCCParishes.org . If your child is interested in getting involved in other ways, reach out to me, Father Steve at Steve.Matthews@RCDA.org .

What is Family Faith Formation?

Over time, this question comes up every once in a while, and sometimes the concern was not so much about the definition (helping children, teenagers, young adults, and adults on the journey of faith) as it was about the title. So, to clarify - Family Faith Formation as it is called here in the CCNCC and in many parishes and networks in our diocese (and many dioceses in the USA) has been previously called CCD, Sunday School, Religious Education, Catechesis, among other names. It's all about helping others; children through adults learn about our Catholic Christian tradition and faith and putting that faith into action. The faith formation offered in parishes is a supplement to what should be happening at

home. We have learned that long gone are the days (in many families) when religion, prayer, and faith are the priority. Therefore, our approach needs to include more than just 45 minutes of book learning. Hence, the need is not only in the title, but in the program to engage children, parents, and families in faith formation.

CCNCC Expansion of Family Faith Formation Program

With the change to the Mass schedule effective this weekend, we will be offering faith formation sessions for most months during the

school year. This is contingent on more volunteer catechists. Please contact Ann in our Faith Formation Office if you are willing to share

your faith with our younger parishioners. We have a number of returning catechists (including 4 teenagers), but we need more. Thank you to all who have helped in the past and are willing to help this year. Our schedule of twice a month is contingent on additional volunteer catechists. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

Messages from Father Steve

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:00:46 GMT

“We are called to live our baptism every day, as new creatures, clothed in Christ.”

— Pope Francis

What reference point do you use when making decisions? Many times, impulse takes control and decisions are made based solely on emotion and desire. We all know that these types of decisions can often get us into trouble. When a person has a confident sense of who they are and a real understanding of what is important and of value, the likelihood of kneejerk impulsive choices diminishes. Baptism gives us what we need to make well informed and purposeful decisions. By this simple gesture, God claims us as His own and provides us with the identity and purpose we need to properly live life.

It is tremendously reassuring, when we truly embrace this revelation and realize that we no longer have to wonder about the purpose of our lives or struggle to find our way. The answer of who we are in God has been given to us. We no longer have to fumble around, trip over ourselves or walk aimlessly about. Issues surrounding the sacredness of life, the meaning of death, the protection of those most vulnerable, care for the weak and the poor, offering hospitality to those in search of a home, the purpose and proper place of work, how to create a just social order, caring for creation, and understanding our roles as heralds and stewards are just a few of the wonderful gifts baptism brings. When we make decisions based on things such as these core Gospel truths we really act as Christ himself, revealing to others the new creations that we are. This is how we live our baptism.

It is difficult to walk against the tide. Yet, that is precisely what baptism calls us to do. Although we are sinners, in need of mercy and far from perfection we are called to order our life and make decisions based upon the wisdom and guidance of Almighty God. He alone is the one who can claim us as His sons and daughters. Standing up for our principles will not make us popular. But who ever said Christianity is a popularity contest? Baptism calls us to stand up for that which goes against the grain of secularism. Standing in line with other sinners, we have our anchor to steady us in the tempests of life and God is very pleased. Forge ahead. There is nothing to fear.

©LPi

Gospel Meditation

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:00:28 GMT

“We are called to live our baptism every day, as new creatures, clothed in Christ.”

— Pope Francis

©LPi

Faith Formation News

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 21:00:16 GMT

“We are called to live our baptism every day, as new creatures, clothed in Christ.”

— Pope Francis

©LPi

Diocesan News

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 13:16:32 GMT

“We are called to live our baptism every day, as new creatures, clothed in Christ.”

— Pope Francis

©LPi

News

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:28:16 GMT

Besides the Wise Men, what is significant about the Epiphany?

How do you manifest Jesus to all with whom you come into contact?

Epiphany means “manifestation,” or public display. The feast is usually celebrated January 6. In the US, it is celebrated on the Sunday nearest to January 6. It originates from a story unique to Matthew (2:1-12). Magi from the East come to offer homage to the newborn King, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

This part of Matthew’s infancy narrative differs from Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus. In Luke there are no Magi, star, nor gifts. Luke has Jesus being born in a stable after Mary and Joseph’s long travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Matthew seems to have the family living in a house in Bethlehem, where the Magi find them.

Why these differences? They stem from the needs and concerns of the audience the authors were addressing, as well as the theological stance of each author. Knowing the original intention helps get at the correct interpretation of the text.

Since Matthew was writing primarily to a Jewish community, his concern was to show that Jesus did not come just for Jews, but for Gentiles as well. From his very birth, Jesus not only manifests himself to Jews, but also to Gentiles, who are prominently included in the manifestation, symbolized by the Magi and their journey. This is the most significant aspect of the feast of Epiphany. How do you manifest Jesus to all with whom you come into contact?