SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST GROUP - PARENTS' CATECHESIS
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST GROUP - PARENTS' CATECHESIS
Vision of the Program
The Saint John the Baptist Group is called to become a community of disciple parents who learn together to live their vocation as the first educators of the faith.
This program pursues four objectives:
- Form parents in their own spiritual life.
- Help them pray as a family.
- Develop simple faith practices at home.
- Create a community of support and encouragement.
Structure of the Year
Frequency
- One monthly meeting - One hour every Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday when children's catechism takes place.
- One hour every Wednesday when catechism for Christian initiation for adults takes place.
- August 2026 to July 2027
Format of Each Meeting
- Welcome and fellowship
- Teaching session
- Small-group sharing
- Practical workshop
- Prayer and sending forth
Monthly Commitment Each family leaves with:
- A concrete challenge
- A Family faith practice
- A resource to use at home
Father Sebastien SASA, PhD, MPA
Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Director of the Missionary Center Saints Peter and Paul
West Valley City, UT
Pastoral Year 2026-2027
Annual Theme 2026-2027
Building the Domestic Church
“Forming disciple parents to build missionary families.”
Goals
Considering the parish theme “Building the Domestic Church,” the Saint John the Baptist Group seeks to help parents embrace their vocation as the primary educators of their children in the faith and leaders of Christian family life.
General Goal
To form and accompany parents as missionary disciples who build Christ-centered families, strengthening the domestic church through faith formation, prayer, sacramental life, and active participation in the parish community.
Specific Goals
1. Deepen Parents' Knowledge of the Catholic Faith
o Provide ongoing catechetical formation rooted in Scripture, Tradition, and Church teaching.
o Help parents confidently transmit the faith to their children.
2. Strengthen Family Prayer and Spiritual Life
o Encourage regular family prayer, Bible reading, and devotion practices.
o Promote a personal and family relationship with Jesus Christ.
3. Foster Active Participation in the Sacramental Life
o Help families understand and appreciate the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation.
o Encourage consistent Sunday Mass attendance and parish involvement.
4. Build Strong and Healthy Christian Families
o Promote communication, unity, forgiveness, and mutual respect within the home.
o Support parents in addressing the challenges facing families today.
5. Develop Parents as Missionary Disciples
o Inspire parents to be witnesses of the Gospel in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
o Encourage service, evangelization, and outreach to others.
6. Create a Supportive Community of Families
o Foster relationships among parents through shared learning, prayer, and fellowship.
o Build a network of mutual support within the parish family.
7. Form Saints for the Future
o Equip parents to help their children grow in holiness, Christian values, and commitment to the Church.
o Cultivate family environments where vocations and discipleship can flourish.
Year Commitment
"As parents and catechists of the domestic church, we commit ourselves to growing in faith, living the Gospel at home, and forming families that know Christ, love Christ, and share Christ with others."
Father Sebastien SASA, PhD, MPA
Pastor of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Director of the Missionary Center Saints Peter and Paul
West Valley City, UT
