High School

Welcome to Faith Formation 2025-2026

High School!

It has recently been shared that the Archdiocese is instructing parishes to make two significant changes to the Faith Formation program in the coming years. Not only is the age of Confirmation moving to Fourth grade (see the Confirmation website page for more information), but faith formation is moving to a more family-based program.

At this time St. Michael is actively looking for a new Coordinator of Youth & Young Adult Ministries. In the meantime, last year’s fearless leaders, Katie and Shauna, have graciously volunteered to continue working with our youth. The program for the High School students will look a little different. Instead of the classroom model in conjunction with Mass and Family Dinners; it will be more like a youth group with social gatherings roughly once a month. Additional activities, such as retreats, service opportunities, “field trips”, and paraliturgies (adoration, stations of the cross, reconciliation) will also be offered each month both off and on the church campus. We will continue to utilize the Lifeteen Program materials for a portion of the gatherings. Due to the change in age for Confirmation, no sacramental prep will be a part of the youth group gatherings. At this time we do not have specific dates or a fee in mind to complete a registration. What we do ask is that you respond in the registration stating your interest in this “youth group type program” and we will be sure to reach out when more information becomes available.

In addition to participating in the youth group program, families of high school students are ALSO encouraged to help pilot the new Family Faith Formation Program known as PATHWAYS. PATHWAYS is an integrated and family-centered formation suite designed to facilitate a personal encounter with the Trinity and sustain a lifelong development of faith. While you will participate in various programs as you “walk the pathway”, the focus is on attending mass each week and participating in Community Parish Activities (a yearly liturgical calendar of these activities will be available Fall of 2025). Created to Love (Adolescent Catechesis for Human Sexuality and Child Protection) will also be a part of the curriculum.

Click below to journey along the Pathway.

SEEK: First Step

Seek is presented through at-church experiences and extended through at-home activities. Parents and children/teens meet separately and then come together for the closing prayer. This experience is meant to feel like a small retreat in which parents and children/teens are renewed in a positive expression of faith.

Parents and children are invited to experience the kerygma, the good news of the Gospel again! To hear it, reflect on it, and share it with others on a similar journey.

Parents will experience the content and hands-on experiences as part of a small group. This will not be overwhelming but instead a safe place to explore faith and life.

As parents are ministered to, their children/teens will enjoy fellowship with other children/teens as they participate in activities and teachings that follow similar themes, all aimed at pointing them to the love of Jesus.

Parents will engage in interactive prayer experiences with their children/teens at the end of each Session. The intimacy of God’s nearness will be felt by all. Families are encouraged to enter this experience open and hopeful, knowing they are held in prayer by our community.

Seek consists of four, two-hour, at-church sessions every other week. This program will be offered 4 times throughout the Fall. Each family is to choose one session that works best for them. You need to commit to all the dates within a session; you cannot pick and choose dates from various sessions. If a session is missed, the materials will be shared with you to complete at home.

Session 1: 9/7, 9/21, 10/5, 10/19

Session 2: 9/10, 9/24, 10/8, 10/22

Session 3: 11/2, 11/16, 11/23, 12/14

Session 4: 11/5, 11/19, 12/3, 12/17

Over the summer, before the Fall SEEK session begins, a staff member from St. Michael will meet individually with each family for a “VISIT” (in-person or via zoom). This is an opportunity to assess where each family is along their path. This is a genuine dialogue that facilitates an experience of feeling known and seen. Meeting our families where they are and establishing a relationship of trust will encourage a willingness to fully commit and follow the program.

ROOT: Second Step

Root is presented through both at-home and at-church experiences. The material is meant to provide a foundation of faith for families to rest on. As families come to understand more about who God is, they can better build a relationship with him.

Parents are the biggest investment in their child’s faith. Root is an investment into the faith of each parent. For many parents it may have been sometime since they engaged in the Scriptures and teachings of the Catholic faith. With fresh eyes, many new insights will be revealed as they study the Creed.

Root for Parents is a reflection on the first part of the Catechism broken into a Mini Series and written in accessible language. Small group discussion with other parents, during at-church sessions, will bring wisdom and practical life experience to the studying.

Root for Teens, while similar to the parent content, is written in teen-friendly language. During the at-church sessions, teens will participate in small group discussions and activities with other teens to prepare them for conversation with their parents before the closing prayer.

Parents will begin leading Family Meetings at home with their children using the tools and resources provided in Root for Children. These gatherings will be simple opportunities to begin conversations of faith and a rhythm of shared prayer in the home. Children/teens will benefit from learning about faith through both at-home and at-church experiences. Time with other children/teens and parents will continue to build community connections with parish families. As families continue to invest in their faith together, they will be supported in prayer by our faith community and experience a God who is near.

Root consists of a total of 20 sessions. 7 of the sessions are held at church and 13 of the sessions are held at home. The at-church sessions will be two hours, every other week. Two at-home sessions (totaling about 2 hours) will need to be completed between each at-church session. There is an online management program, “MARTHA”, which will help you keep track of your progress so you do not get behind. This program will be offered 2 times; Sunday from 1:30-3:30p and Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00p. Each family is to choose one session that works best for them. You need to commit to all the dates within a session; you cannot pick and choose dates from each session. If an at-church session is missed, the materials will be shared with you to complete at home.

Session 1: 1/11, 1/25, 2/8, 2/22, 3/8, 3/22, 4/19

Session 2: 1/14, 1/28, 2/11, 2/25, 3/11, 3/25, 4/15

At this time childcare for families with kids aged 0-5 is not available. Children are welcome to stay with the parents during the small group time or choose only one parent to participate with your older child(ren).

Parish Pathways

Youth are encouraged to pick a parish pathway whenever they feel ready. Options for high schoolers include altar serving, helping with Children’s Liturgy of the Word, serving at Lunches for those in Need, and being a peer minister for Vacation Bible School or Middle School Mini Camp.

If you need service hours, follow us on Instagram to find out about new opportunities.