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When St. Gabriel the Archangel's faith formation program holds events for children and parents, it is addressing a common challenge in parishes across the diocese and country: parents that send their children but stay away themselves.

Joyce Solimini, associate director of adult, family and intergenerational catechesis for the Diocese, called it an issue that cannot be ignored.

"It is essential that families be affirmed and empowered to share faith with their children," she said. "We can help families do this by being 'family-friendly parishes,' meaning that we consider families in our decisions and policies in the parish, and even in how we schedule things." 

Missing in education
They say the same on the front lines. 

"I think what you're running into with any faith formation program is connecting with and getting people to come to church," said Annette Brooks, parish life director at St. Gabriel's, located in Rotterdam.

While the faith formation program serves the youth, the staff at St. Gabriel's say that bringing the parents into parish life and faith is just as important, for both the present and future. For similar reasons, many parishes have started including children in their weekly liturgies.

"The parents will come because their child is involved," said Mrs. Brooks. "Then maybe the child will see that their parents go to church and it will motivate them to keep going."

Children leading 
St. Helen's in Niskayuna also has started gearing the Sunday liturgy to children.

"We had a Mass recently involving children and the place was packed," said Sister Ellen Spellman, CSJ, director of religious education at St. Helen's. "Children really do bring parents back to Mass."

Both Mrs. Brooks and Sr. Ellen recognize that this is a trend that needs encouragement. 

"The more the kids are involved then the more (the parents) will come," said Mrs. Brooks. "So we're trying to make a really hard push."

"I will certainly continue to invite them," said Sr. Ellen. "They just need to remember little things. It's the little moments that bring us back."

Sr. Ellen also pointed out another angle to bringing families back: children influencing other children.

"When our second graders make their first Communion, other students see that and they want to make their first Communion also," she said. "So the parents need to be committed to going to church." [[In-content Ad]]

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