Whole Church is the Faith Formation Program at Our Lady of Peace Parish. It has suppliments our traditional Religious Education Program, which focuses primarily on children and youth.

Whole Church includes a component for adult education. Recognizing that Faith Formation involves lifelong learning, we offer catechetical sessions that are aimed at adult learners, while continuing to offer catechesis for our youth and children.

L.I.G.H.T - Learning in God's House Together - Is our motto for our Whole Church Faith Formation Experience. We strive to educate all people of all ages together so that all -- from youngest to oldest -- can appreciate our beautiful Catholic Faith! Adults learn while children learn. They can sharing their knowledge of the Catholic Church with them and answering their questions about why the Catholic Faith is important. The whole purpose is so that all can live out their Catholic Faith each day. The sessions are offered several times each year and have a selected chosen topic. We also offer a monthly take-home packet that is filled with information, prayers, activities and learning tools that are used at home for deepening the learning of our Catholic Faith on the home front.

Along with the Whole Church Faith Formation experience, we also offer Catechectical Sessions (regular classes in religious instruction) for grades one through twelve. These classes allow more time for a more in-depth study time of what we believe as Catholics. It also allows the needed time for preparations for Sacraments, such as First Penance, Confirmation and the "source and summit of all life in the Catholic Church," the Eucharist.

All of the above mentioned programs are headed up by our Faith Formation Director, Patricia Niksich.

We also have a youth group experience for young people in grades 9 - 12. The youth group is called S.E.R.V.E. (Students Expressing Religious Values Enthusiastically.)  The S.E.R.V.E. groups meets weekly on Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. in either the St. Joseph Conference Room or Parish Hall. They discuss the teachings of the Church, Scripture and current issues in regard to our Catholic Faith. The S.E.R.V.E. group is led by our youth minister, Char Brickner, and associate pastor, Fr. Michael Jacobus. Once a month, on Sunday evening, a special Mass is celebrated in Church with the youth taking on all the liturgical ministry roles. Also at times, our S.E.R.V.E. group does a mission trip. The last one was during the summer of 2007. For pictures of that trip, please click here.

Whole Church Is For:

FOR THE CURRENT WHOLE CHURCH SCHEDULE,
PLEASE CALL THE FAITH FORMATION OFFICE
at (906) 932-1708 

Usual Whole Church Session Agenda
5:30 - Dinner
6:00 - Opening Activity
6:10 - Learning Stations
7:10 - Guided Discussion
7:30 - Explain Take-Home Materials
7:45 - Prayer