The Liturgy of the Word with Children takes place during the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. It's held in a separate room during the 9:30 am Sunday Mass, not far from the main sanctuary. During the morning Mass, children are invited to experience the liturgy in a way that is relevant to their knowledge and experience, and have an opportunity to understand more fully what it means through discussion, song and prayer together. The children then return to the sanctuary in time for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Please contact Debby Fernandez via email at: stedwardskids@gmail.com
Our mission in the Faith Formation program is to foster a lifelong relationship with Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour. We, in partnership with parents/guardians want to begin engaging our children in the learning of our Lord and God from an early age. Within this partnership we also understand that when we receive a sacrament we are not "finished" with our faith journey but have only just added to the experience of the journey. Faith Formation is an effective way to both learn about and share about the love of God and the life of discipleship.
Please contact Debby Fernandez via email at: stedwardskids@gmail.com
Adult Faith Formation is a catechetical ministry specifically designed for adults using adult learning principles. It offers opportunities for adults to continue their faith development and enrich their faith journey through shared witnessing and discussions. It supports an ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated lifelong desire to grow in our faith and to better understand the teachings of our Church. Many people have traveled together for a number of years through their regular attendance of the opportunities offered over the past 6 years. Some people choose only to attend one or two years but all adults are welcomed as fellow travellers.
The opportunities are usually offered in two ways. The first being a series of evening sessions through the fall and winter months looking at a specific topic of our faith. A book is used as a guide and there is a trained facilitator who introduces the themes of the book and promotes discussion through question and reflections. The books used over the past 6 years include teachings of the Catholic Church, specific books of scripture and writings of the Pope. Various forms of Catholic spirituality, iconography and lives of the Saints are often blended into the sessions. The second approach uses short evening or afternoon sessions on a specific topic of faith such as the biblical basis of the Mass, living the Rosary, devotions for today or Christian stewardship. These sessions are held irregularly throughout the year.
Please contact Angelique Rasmussen via the Parish office at (250) 746-6831 for information.
This program is developed for people who wish to become Catholic or perhaps someone who was baptized as a Catholic but has not received the Sacraments of Confirmation, Reconciliation, and First Communion . It is also open to Catholics who have not been practicing for many years and wish to return to the Church in an informed way. This process enables participants to go through the 4 phases of RCIA process in a comfortable and support way. Together, in faith, we grow spiritually and learn more about all of the Sacraments and the major beliefs of the Roman Catholic faith. Our weekly one hour sessions take place in the evening, usually staring at 6:30 p.m., and run from September to May with a break in Advent. During the pandemic restrictions we meet on-line via the Zoom platform.
Please contact Angelique Rasmussen via the Parish office at (250) 746-6831 for information.
The Pastoral Care Outreach Ministry is a group of dedicated people caring and supporting our parish community. We participate and support worship services and communion services in several assisted living and long term care facilities. We also visit the sick and lonely in hospital, long term care and at home, bringing conversation, company and communion. New members are very welcome and will be trained to Diocesan requirements.
Please contact Marilyn Klizs or Leslie Mathews via the Parish office at (250) 746-6831 for information.