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 registration is AUGUST 15. Registrations received after this date will be considered for admission on a case by case basis, taking into consideration class sizes, space issues, and catechist availability. Late registrations may be placed on a waiting list, or given the option of home schooling. ABSOLUTELY NO REGISTRATIONS WILL BE TAKEN IN THE TWO WEEKS PRECEDING THE FIRST SCHEDULED FAITH FORMATION SESSION. Children will be placed in classes in the order in which they register. Special requests regarding specific classes, catechists, or weekends cannot be guaranteed.

Families new to the parish can be admitted any time during the faith formation year to a parish program. Prior to such admission, the person or parents and faith formation director need to reach an agreement regarding all fee obligations and expectations concerning completion of that faith formation year.

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. When you attend and participate in Mass and the sacraments, you are teaching a very profound lesson on reverence, worship, obedience, and love to your child. We encourage all parents to be actively involved in the parish. Whatever example you give is the most impressive and far-reaching. As catechetical leaders in the Faith Formation program, we are committed to support you in this development of Christian attitudes and values. The success we have in forming faith in young people is related very closely to what the child experiences with you, the parents.

Young people in Faith Formation programs are expected to attend all class sessions. 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.

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.

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.

Preparation for and celebration of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time 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 to begin this process and to let parents know dates and times of the first meetings. Schedules for the year and the expectations for these sacraments will be given to parents during the 1^st meeting of the year. Families with older children who have "missed" these sacraments during their second grade year should contact the director for special arrangements for preparing for and celebrating these sacraments.

Immediate preparation for and celebration of the sacrament of Confirmation takes place in the 10^th grade year. Sponsors and/or mentors are integral to the formation and preparation of candidates for the sacrament of Confirmation. A letter will be mailed at the beginning of the year to begin this process and to inform parents and candidates of the dates and times of the first meeting. Schedules for the year and the expectations for sponsors/mentors, attendance, service requirements, and retreat attendance will be given to parents and candidates during the 1^st meeting of the year.

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.