Registration packets will be mailed to all parish families in the early spring. Registrations are encouraged and will be accepted at our last Faith Formation sessions of the year. Due to budget considerations, checks will be held for deposit until July 1 (the new fiscal year). Absolutely no registrations will be accepted by phone.

Deadline for 2010-11 registration is AUGUST 31 at 5:00pm; registrations must be received in the Faith Formation office by this time in order to be accepted. Timely registration is necessary in order to have adequate materials and supplies ordered, class lists finalized and adequate numbers of catechists in place by the first week in September when the faith formation informational/scheduling mailing goes out. ABSOLUTELY NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS YEAR'S DEADLINE. Registrations received after this date will require children to be home schooled in order to keep pace with the faith formation program. Children will be placed in classes in the order in which they register. Special requests regarding specific classes, catechists, or weekends cannot be guaranteed.

Registration fees must accompany the registration form. Our Lady of the Lake does not deny participation in Faith Formation due to financial difficulty; please contact the Faith Formation Office to discuss your situation. In addition to general costs of the Faith Formation program, registration fees cover the cost of students' textbooks. In the event that a student loses his/her textbook, it will be replaced at a $20 cost to the family.

Families new to the parish will be admitted any time during the faith formation year to a parish program. Prior to such admission, the parent(s) or guardian(s) and Director of Faith Formation must reach an agreement regarding all fee obligations and expectations concerning completion of that faith formation year.

In order to facilitate an optimal learning environment, and stay within space limitations, class sizes will be limited as follows:

Kindergarten: maximum 10 children per class; two catechists or one catechist with aide/assistant required

All other classes: 10-12 per group

If classes do not have a catechist, they will either begin the year late when someone steps forward, or classes will not be held. Children in these groups will be home schooled in order to keep pace with the faith formation program.

Our Lady of the Lake is committed to providing a safe environment for participants in our faith formation programs. Conduct which endangers the health, safety, welfare, or morals of participants in the program, or which disrupts the right of others to participate in Faith Formation classes and activities will not be tolerated. Weapons (or any items that may be used as weapons) are not allowed. Students will be warned based on the Catechist's discretion and the severity of the situation. Students may be removed from class and sent to the Director of Faith Formation. If disruptive behavior continues, parents will be called. When a student is dismissed, a parent must accompany that student on return to class.

All parish facilities are smoke/tobacco/drug free. Possession by minors of any tobacco products, drugs or alcohol will result in student being removed from program.

Electronic video games and ipods are not allowed in the classroom. All cell phones must be turned off. Heely shoes are not allowed in the church facilities. Young people are encouraged to dress in a manner that is modest and keeping with Christian values. Vulgar or rude sayings on t-shirts are not appropriate, and may result in a student being asked to turn their shirts inside out or sent home to change.

Christian attitudes and values are developed in a child primarily by his/her parents. The success we have in forming faith in young people is related very closely to what the child experiences with you, the parents. When you attend and participate in Mass and the sacraments, and serve others in the parish and ocmmunity you are teaching a very profound lesson on reverence, worship, obedience, service and charity to your child. As catechetical leaders in the Faith Formation program, we are committed to support you in this development of Christian attitudes and values.

Young people in Faith Formation programs are expected to attend all class sessions and bring their folders with them. As parents or guardians, you are responsible for your child's attendance. You are expected to bring your children to the church for the beginning of each faith formation class and remain in the church for the day's opening activities. In consideration of all those involved, please arrive at least 5 minutes before the start of faith formation sessions.

Children in grades K-6 are required to be picked up by you in the church following faith formation sessions. Please arrive by 12:20. Your students in grades 7-10 will be dismissed and remain on the church grounds until you have picked them up. Please arrive to pick them up within 10 minutes after class ends.

Because of the format of our program, regular attendance at every faith formation session, for the entire session, is essential. Illness is understandable; please make every effort to schedule other activities so as not to conflict with Faith Formation/Sacrament preparation classes and activities. If your child must miss class, please call the Faith Formation Director. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to pick up the day's materials, complete them with your child, and return them to the next Faith Formation session.

If arriving late, you must accompany your child to the classroom. If your child must leave early, a written note (given to your child's catechist) is required from you indicating the reason, the time of dismissal, and the identity of the person picking up your child. Children will not be allowed out of the church building during class time without this note, as well as an adult to accompany them.

At Our Lady of the Lake, we recognize and believe that faith formation is a lifelong process. This is especially true with regards to sacramental preparation. Therefore we expect students to participate for a full year prior to, and including, the year in which the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation are celebrated for the first time.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist: Preparation for and first celebration of these Sacraments generally takes place during a child's second grade year. Parents are primarily responsible for preparing their children for these sacraments. A letter will be mailed at the beginning of the year with information regarding an initial meeting for parents. Schedules for the year, program materials and the expectations for these Sacraments will be given to parents during the first meeting of the year. Families with older children who did not receive these Sacraments during their second grade year should contact the director for special arrangements for preparing for and celebrating these Sacraments.

Confirmaton: Young people who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation and their parents will be notified before the process begins. Information will be given regarding sponsors and/or mentors, expectations and components of the preparation process, and schedule of events.

Attendance is expected at all classes during a sacramental preparation year. In addition, parents are expected to attend and participate in Mass on a weekly basis with their children. Parents must ensure that their children know basic Catholic prayers and precepts. Requirements will be outlined at the initial meeting for each sacrament.

All people who are expecting to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation must provide the Faith Formation office with a copy of the Baptismal certificate if the person was not baptized at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Failure to provide this document in a timely manner may mean the person will not be able to participate in the sacrament as planned.