Holy Trinity ChurchChildren’s Faith Formation News
First Sacrament Preparation | Confirmation | Sunday Program | Family Program | NCYC
Faith Formation Schedule (pdf)
VBS is returning to Holy Trinity this summer!
It will run from July 6 to July 9, and every morning it will go from 9am-12pm.
Don’t forget to save the date!
Our theme this year is going to be Cathletics: Training to be Champions for Christ. This is a sports themed Catholic VBS Program that will feature games, crafts, songs, and faith lessons that are focused on building up our spiritual strength and fitness as we aim for excellence in our faith. Their training will include teachings on the Greatest Commandments, 10 Commandments, Beatitudes, Fruits of the Spirit, and Evangelization.
Registration for VBS will begin the weekend of March 15, both for families signing their kids up and for people that are looking to volunteer.
We would love for you to be a part of it! Please also contact Neil D’Alessandro at (585) 265-1616 Ext. 304 or at neil.dalessandro@dor.org to let him know.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God,” (Hebrews 12:1-2).
Have you ever heard of a Tenebrae Service and wondered what a Tenebrae Service is?
What is Tenebrae? Tenebrae is a liturgical service of sung readings and Psalms that features distinctive symbolic elements of Christ’s passion and death.
Why Tenebrae? Tenebrae means “shadows” or “darkness” in Latin. The service shows the darkness that comes over the earth upon Christ’s death. One of the chants of the service draws from Scripture that Tenebrae factae sunt — “darkness fell” at the death of Christ (Matthew 27:45-46).
Elements: Candles are gradually extinguished, and a loud noise, called a “strepitous” at the service’s conclusion symbolizes the chaos following Christ’s death.
According to Tradition: Historically, it was a portion of the Liturgy of the Hours prayers of Matins and Lauds for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of Holy Week. Now, it is often an adaptation or shortened form of those prayers typically offered on Wednesday of Holy Week.
Holy Week Connection: Tenebrae is designed to serve as a powerful, reflective experience for the faithful ahead of the Easter Triduum. The representation of the darkness of sin and death serve to call the faithful to embrace the light of Christ, who has conquered death.
Those attending a Tenebrae service for the first time this Holy Week may be startled by entering a church shrouded in darkness except for the light of a few candles, the gradual extinguishing of those candles, and the loud banging noise called the “strepitous” that builds and echoes in the darkness at the service’s conclusion.
Held by some parishes and monasteries on Spy Wednesday of Holy Week (commemorates Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus to the Sanhedrin for thirty pieces of silver), Tenebrae is not only rich in striking visual elements but also features some of the most distinctively mournful music the Church has to offer with the chanting of the Lamentations of Jeremiah and the Psalms.
The vanishing light in the church from the extinguished candles reminds us that we, as sinners, without Christ, “dwell in darkness.”
We invite our parishioners to attend our Tenebrae service in March. More information to follow.
First Sacrament Preparation
Students in Grade 2 and above may register to begin their First Sacrament Preparation if they have completed at least one full year of Faith Formation either in a parish or in a Catholic School and are currently enrolled in their second year of Faith Formation.
First Sacrament Preparation Registration
Confirmation Preparation ( I & II)
As the third and final Sacrament of Initiation into the church, the Sacrament of Confirmation can be seen as an interior movement that effects a more mature and active participation in the life of the faith community.
Confirmation Registration
Register by downloading the pdf form above. A word version of the registration form is also available.
We offer a variety of Faith Formation (Religious Education) options for your family. All programs are designed to invite you and your child to find God every day in relevant and relatable ways. In addition, parish-wide “Family Events” are offered throughout the year to encourage participation in our parish community, foster service to others, help us learn about the liturgy, and engage deeper in our relationship with Christ as we grow in our faith.
SUNDAY CLASSROOM PROGRAM
(Grades 1-7)
A traditional classroom setting with a catechist (teacher) for each grade level that meets on Sundays between our two Masses for your convenience from 9:30am until 10:20am.
FAMILY FAITH PROGRAM
(Grades K-7)
Once each month all families will come together for a monthly Family Gathering to introduce that month’s Faith Topic in a fun and interactive way for the entire family.
Faith Formation Registration 2025/2026
Youth Service Opportunities
Jesus calls us to serve others!
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Matthew 25:40
All Middle and High School Faith Formation and Confirmation students are expected to complete a few hours of Christian Service as part of their faith curriculum.
There are many opportunities for youth to get involved, not only here with Holy Trinity, but also in your community. Ideas are included each month in our monthly Faith Formation newsletter, The Good News. Outside of our parish, students can do many different things to serve others such as simply helping a neighbor who could use assistance with raking leaves or shoveling a sidewalk! Volunteering at the public library, the local nursing home, the hospital, or the animal shelter are other great ways to give back to your community. Ever think about volunteering at your school? There are always new activities and fundraisers happening as well as great service organizations such as Best Buddies, Key Club, or Builders Club. Check out your PTA or school’s website for more information.
As you are serving others, consider not only how you may be affecting the person or group you are helping, but also how this experience affects YOU! Be sure to complete a Christian Service Hours form and submit it to your classroom catechist or directly to Mrs. K!
Here are some ideas to help in our parish (times and dates vary each month; commit to one or several based on your schedule; email Mrs. K to learn more):
- Youth Assistant for Faith Formation Family Program (help lead small group activities, as well as set up and tear down)
- Children’s Liturgy of the Word Assistant (10:30am Sunday Mass; commit only to those Sundays that fit your schedule.)
- First Sacrament Preparation Youth Assistant (help lead small group activities, as well as set up and tear down)
- Special Family Events occur each month (assistance needed in a variety of ways, as well as set up and tear down)
- Youth in Mass Ministry…you are invited to join our liturgical ministries to serve as an Altar Server, Liturgical Greeter and/or Lector in our Mass celebrations.
The blue CHILDREN’S ENVELOPES are now available at the Welcome Desk and in front of the Faith Formation office for those children who would like their own.