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GRACE Questions and Answers

What is the GRACE program?

The purpose of the GRACE program is to reinforce the importance of lifelong faith formation and active participation in the life of the Church.

Are GRACE events required?

Yes. All children in grades K-12 enrolled in parish faith formation must attend four GRACE events per program year. Failure to participate may delay reception of sacraments.

Are children in Catholic schools required to participate in GRACE?

Adult participation in GRACE events can be used for Time, Talent, and Treasure requirements necessary to receive the discounted stewardship tuition rate.

All teens in the Confirmation program are required to participate in high school TYM regardless of where they go to school. GRACE is part of the TYM program.

Elementary Catholic school students are welcomed and encouraged to participate in GRACE but it is not mandatory.

Are the students in the Home Program required to participate in GRACE?

Yes. Four GRACE events are required of each child in the Home Program.

Isn't this making faith formation harder for families?

Actually, no! We've reduced the number of class meeting dates from 24 to 20. We so strongly believe in your family participating in the life of the Church, that we are building this into the program-not making it extra. The Diocese requires 30 hours of formation a year. Four of those hours will be completed through GRACE, the rest in the classroom.

How do I record GRACE events?

We are giving you the responsibility of maintaining your GRACE attendance record. You can get a Record Sheet online or in the CARE center.

Does this effect class attendance?

No. Children are still only allowed five absences a year.

Can I attend the same event 4 times?

No. One of the goals of GRACE is to introduce families to the richness and variety of parish life. Therefore, experiences like choir and VBS count as one event each.

What about events at another parish, do these count toward GRACE?

No. A benefit of this program is to connect children to their parish, to help them feel that this is their church family. While certainly other parishes offer valuable and often similar programs, we are trying to develop strong roots to our faith community.