Growing in Faith. Rooted in Christ. Living Our Catholic Faith.
Welcome to Faith Formation at Sacred Heart Church! Our Youth Faith Formation program exists to support children and families as they grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ and discover the beauty of our Catholic faith.
Youth Faith Formation is more than preparing for a sacrament. It is a lifelong journey of knowing Jesus, loving Jesus, and living as His disciples within the Church. Our goal is to help our young people build a strong foundation of faith through prayer, Scripture, the sacraments, the saints, Catholic teaching, and participation in the life of our parish.
Our Theme for This Year
“Remain in Me, as I Remain in You.” — John 15:4
Last year, our theme was “Planting Seeds.” This year, we continue that journey by helping those seeds grow and become deeply rooted in Christ.
Faith Formation is a journey, not a checklist. Parents and guardians are an essential part of this journey. You are the primary educators of your children in the faith. Our Faith Formation program is here to support you and your family as you grow together through prayer, Sunday Mass, learning, service, and participation in the life of our parish.
Here is where you can find current information about classes, events, opportunities, and other things happening throughout the year.
Pictures to come.
Youth Faith Formation Hub
Click on any section below to explore registration, information, and more.
- Youth Faith Formation Registration — complete the registration form
- Make a Payment — pay online through ParishSOFT
- Schedule — 2026/2027 Schedule (revised)
- What’s Happening
- What We’re Learning
- Sacramental Information
- Youth Council
- Youth Group
- Retreats & Camp Resources
- Fundraising
What’s Happening
We are excited to begin a year of growing together in faith! Our Opening Mass will be held Wednesday, September 23 at 6:00 PM, followed by a meeting for Faith Formation families. First Faith Formation classes begin Wednesday, September 30.
Unless otherwise noted on the schedule or communicated through Flocknote, email, or our Facebook page, Faith Formation classes are held Wednesdays from 6:30–7:30 PM.
Please check the schedule and watch for parish communications throughout the year for updates, special events, and changes. Follow Sacred Heart on Facebook for reminders, announcements, photos, and other Faith Formation updates.
What We’re Learning
Our Faith Formation curriculum uses Catholic resources from the Diocese of Winona-Rochester that are appropriate for each age group, helping students build upon what they have learned from year to year.
Kindergarten & 1st Grade
Students begin building a foundation of Catholic faith through Scripture, prayer, Jesus’ teachings, and learning about God’s love. Students will use:
- Alive in Christ — Our Sunday Visitor
- Blessed — Dynamic Catholic
2nd Grade
Second grade focuses on deepening students’ understanding of Jesus, the Mass, and the sacraments as they prepare for First Reconciliation and First Communion. Resources will include:
- Alive in Christ — Our Sunday Visitor
- Encounter with Christ — Our Sunday Visitor
- Blessed — Dynamic Catholic
3rd & 4th Grade
Students continue to grow in their knowledge of Scripture, Catholic teaching, prayer, the sacraments, and how to live their faith each day. Resources will include:
- Alive in Christ — Our Sunday Visitor
5th Grade
Students continue developing a deeper understanding of their Catholic faith and how their faith shapes their everyday lives. Resources will include:
- Alive in Christ — Our Sunday Visitor
6th Grade
Students continue to explore Scripture, Catholic teaching, prayer, the sacraments, and what it means to grow as a young disciple of Christ. Resources will include:
- Alive in Christ — Our Sunday Visitor
7th & 8th Grade
Students will use Catholic resources designed specifically for middle school students. We will also begin introducing Confirmation topics. These years are an important time for students to begin exploring their faith more deeply and understanding how Catholic teaching connects to their lives. Resources include:
- Alive in Christ — Our Sunday Visitor
- Envision: Theology of the Body for Middle School — Ascension Press
- YOUCAT — Ignatius Press
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester Confirmation Guidelines
9th Grade — Pre-Confirmation
The 9th grade year will focus on building a strong foundation for Confirmation preparation and continuing to grow in understanding of the Catholic faith. Instruction will follow the Diocese of Winona-Rochester Confirmation Guidelines and will help students begin preparing for the Confirmation journey ahead.
10th Grade — Confirmation
The 10th grade year builds upon the foundation established from previous years and focuses on putting faith into action as students prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students will continue their formation through the Diocese of Winona-Rochester Confirmation Guidelines while participating in opportunities that help them grow as active disciples of Christ.
Confirmation preparation will include:
- Prayer and developing a personal relationship with Christ
- Retreat experiences
- Service hours and serving others
- Learning about and involving Confirmation sponsors
- Preparing a Saint Report
- Writing a letter to the Bishop
- Continued participation in Sunday Mass
- Opportunities to put faith into action within the parish and community
Confirmation is not the end of a student’s faith journey. It is an invitation to become more fully engaged in the life of the Church and to live out the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Sacramental Information
Sacraments are an important part of our Catholic faith and an important part of our Faith Formation journey. This section provides families with information and important dates for sacramental preparation.
2nd Grade — First Reconciliation & First Communion
First Communion is an important step in a child’s lifelong journey of faith. As children prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, they grow in their understanding and love of the Mass and what it means to live as a follower of Christ.
Important Dates and Resources:
- Learning Centers — April 14, 2027, 4:00–7:00 pm
- First Reconciliation and First Communion practice — April 24, 2027 at 9:00 am
- First Communion — May 2, 2027 at 1:00 pm
Resources and expectations for families (First Communion)
10th Grade — The Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is an important step in a lifelong journey of faith that begins before the sacrament and continues as we grow in Christ.
Important Dates and Resources:
- Saturday, May 8 at 10:30 am — St. Theodore, Albert Lea
Sponsor information and requirements — link to come
Retreat opportunities — information to come
Service hour requirements — information to come
Saint Report — information to come
Letter to the Bishop — information to come
Confirmation requirements and resources — Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Youth Council
Giving Youth a Voice in Our Parish
Youth Council is a new opportunity for our young people to become more involved in the life of our parish and community. Youth Council will give youth a place to share their ideas, brainstorm, and work together to explore activities, events, service opportunities, and ways to be involved in our Parish Community and beyond.
Youth will not simply be given a list of things to do. They will have an opportunity to identify what matters to them and then work with adults to explore how those ideas can become reality.
More information about the Youth Council will be available as the program develops.
Youth Group
Our Youth Group provides an opportunity for young people to gather together, build friendships, have fun, and grow in their faith outside of regular Youth Faith Formation classes.
Throughout the year, youth will have opportunities for fellowship, service, faith-building activities, and special events. More information and upcoming Youth Group activities will be posted here and shared through our parish communication channels.
Retreats & Camps
Faith doesn’t only happen in the classroom! Retreats, camps, conferences, and other Catholic youth opportunities give young people a chance to step away from their normal routines, deepen their relationship with Christ, meet other young Catholics, and experience their faith in new ways.
This section will provide families with information and links about opportunities available through our parish, diocese, and other Catholic organizations. Check back throughout the year as additional opportunities are added.
Fundraising
Helping Make Faith Opportunities Possible
Our Youth Faith Formation fundraising efforts help provide opportunities for our youth to participate in retreats, conferences, camps, and other faith-building experiences. Funds raised through Youth Faith Formation events may help offset the cost of opportunities both within our parish and outside of our parish.
Our goal is to help make these experiences more accessible to our young people while giving them opportunities to grow in faith, build friendships, and encounter Christ.
Thank you to all of our parish families and supporters who help make these opportunities possible! Information about upcoming fundraisers will be shared here and through our parish communication channels.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date throughout the Faith Formation year! For schedule changes, reminders, special events, and other announcements, please watch for communication through:
- Flocknote
- Sacred Heart Facebook Page (Waseca Sacred Heart Faith Formation & Youth Group)
- Here on the Parish Website
We look forward to growing together in faith throughout the year!
