SPARK
Year 1 of Sacrament Preparation
The First Step to SPARK:
My child belongs in SPARK if...
- My child is 6-8 years old AND in grades 1-3
- My family is registered in our parish
- I deem her/him ready to participate in this first foundational year of sacrament preparation
- My child and I will join a peer weekly faith formation group at one of our 4 churches
The Second Step to SPARK:
Registration
- Click the description/registration link on this page to review the SPARK options and to complete the simple form (you will receive confirmation that your form has been received by our Faith Formation Office)
- If your child was baptized outside of our parish, please submit a copy of her/his Baptismal certificate to our office or scan/email to Kim.lovett@portlanddiocese.org
- Review these 2 forms; complete and return them by the end of the SPARK year
The Third Step to SPARK:
What is my active role as parent or guardian?
- Attend a SPARK orientation session (date TBD)
- Worship at Mass regularly
- Participate in the weekly sessions, from Sept to May, with your child (adults may include parents, guardians, godparents/sponsors, grandparents, older siblings, other relatives & friends)
- Help your child learn her/his prayers, concepts, and guide words (provided by us)
- Pray often with your child
- Read Bible stories to your child (find Bible stories at each church)
- Share your own stories of faith
- Share your own time-honored Catholic traditions or begin new ones
The Fourth Step to SPARK:
Information, Resources & Links
- Pflaum Publishing - weekly lessons for SPARK with the Handbook: What the Church Believes and Teaches) http://www.pflaumweeklies.com
- Family weekly envelope - Take home a sealed envelope after Mass which will help connect your family to the Gospel message and to your parish family during the week
- Flash card rings with key SPARK words, concepts, prayers (will be provided to each child by our Faith Formation office)