Religious Education and Faith Formation
Holy Family Parish has a number of opportunities for faith development and formation in both the children's and adult portfolios. For the size of our community we feel there are a variety of areas where people can explore, enhance and develop their response to God’s call within the Roman Catholic tradition. These venues are provided through the dedicated work of the pastoral team, Amherst and Cumberland County parishioners and the Archdiocese of Halifax.
Current News
January 2012
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CHILDREN’S LITURGY CHANGES~
We are making some changes to our Children’s Liturgy Ministry at the 11:15 mass. This ministry will be available to children from Primary to Level 4 (ages 5 to 10). Older children should remain with the assembly as the readings and Gospel are proclaimed. We invite older youth from Levels 7 and up who would like to assist our Children’s Liturgy teams may do so by contacting Deacon Howard at 667-2523 or speaking with him at weekend masses. You will be included on the Children’s Liturgy schedule so you will know when you are expected to assist a team. Children aged 5 and under who want to participate in Children’s Liturgy should be accompanied by a parent.
Children’s Catechetics
Deacon Howard Gotell leads the children and youth programming and can be reached at (902) 667-2523. Holy Family Parish has about 100 young parishioners involved at various levels of our programming.
We look to an exciting year in our program with the young parishioners, as we will offer Religious Education within our own facility. We will begin the children's program in late September. Currently classes run from 10:00 to 11:00am on Sunday mornings for levels Primary thru 5. Our major catechetical resource is the Born of the Spirit series developed by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Programming for levels 6, 7, 8 & 9 are conducted separately from levels Primary thru 5. They take place during times of catechist’s availability and that schedule will be available shortly.
Confirmation takes place usually in November and involves young parishioners from Levels 8 & 9. Sessions begin in January of the year, break for the summer months and resume in September with a session focused on the Sacrament of Confirmation itself. Usually our Archbishop administers the sacrament, however in 2009, pastors were granted permission to celebrate the sacrament as the Archdiocese of Halifax reorganizes and reflects on the nature of this sacrament. Our formation program uses elements of the Born of the Spirit series, and materials from “Faith First” Confirmation program.
Holy Family Parish offers an on-going Children’s Liturgy program each Sunday. Children leave the main the assembly to hear and reflect of God’s Word at a level understood by young people. Teams of parishioners are leaders of Children’s Liturgy at each Sunday celebration. On the last Sunday of the month, the parish celebrates the "family mass"involving our young people wherever possible. Readings are proclaimed from the children’s lectionary and children are called forth for a homily designed for them and the assembly. These masses are well received by families in the parish.
Children from Holy Family Parish sponsor two children from Chalice (formerly Christian Childcare International). They are Sylvia Duarte from Paraguay South America and Peter Ceriales from the Philippines. Children are invited to make an offering toward their support at each Sunday celebration.
Adult Catechesis
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults or Catechumenate is a process and a ministry which invites individuals to Come & See if they are being called to become a member of Church. The Catechumenate journey begins in the fall, meeting weekly up to Easter and beyond for a number of weeks. We share faith, assist with discernment and learn about the Church and its tradition. Sister Teresa Currie and Deacon Howard Gotell coordinate to Catechumenate journey and we currently meet at Sister's home in Amherst.Little Rock Scripture Series
Holy Family Parish is using the Little Rock Scripture Study as a basis for adult scripture study. To date, we’ve explored the following segments of the Little Rock series: Overview of the Bible, Overview of Hebrew Scripture, Overview of the New Testament and the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. For 2010, we will probably explore the Gospel of Luke. Approximately 30 parishioners are faithful participants and the group meets Monday evenings, with sessions repeated on Thursday mornings. All are welcome and contact the parish office for more information.
Christian Community & Catechesis
The Atlantic Catechetical Association is a group of catechetical directors from dioceses from across Atlantic Canada who is at the service of the faith development of children, youth and adults in the Roman Catholic Church in Atlantic Canada.
They have developed a resource for catechist formation called “Christian Community and Catechesis.” This “8” session module reveals that all people are responsible for catechesis within the faith community. Bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay people have a role to play in the faith formation of children, youth and adults in a parish and diocese.
The module was presented in the spring of 2009 and was appreciated by all participants. We hope to re-offer this engaging and formative resource in 2010.
Youth Ministry
An active Youth Group meets Tuesday evenings in the parish hall, under the direction of Kim White. This group attracts youth beginning at Level 6 and up. The group talks about Church, faith and issues pertinent to young people. They share times of sports, games and pizza. An important activity is Thinkfast as part of our annual Development and Peace campaign.
Holy Family parish participates annually in the Steubenville Atlantic youth weekend held each summer at St FX University in Antigonish. 
Young people from across Atlantic Canada gather for a weekend of inspiring music, liturgies and talks on issues concerning faith, relationships, and respect for self as Roman Catholic youth.
Youth Choir
A youth choir participates in our liturgies under the direction Glenna O'Quinn. Glenna was raised in Amherst and is multi-talented in music, drama, and organizational and personal skills. She was approached with the idea to develop a Holy Family Youth Music Group that encourages young parishioners to offer their voices, musical instruments of all types and their presence to lead song at our monthly family masses. The group has named themselves, the M & M's (Music & Ministry). This new initiative has added another dimension to the involvement of young people at Holy Family Parish
