Faith Formation

Religious Education is concerned with structuring an environment in such a way that people become intimately linked to the experience, wisdom, and tacit knowledge with others for the purpose of future religious development. The Religious Education curriculum in the church is the congregation gathering in community, worship, teaching, proclamation, and service.  Its goal is the faith formation and the teaching on how to live religiously by means of spiritual practices rooted in our Christian tradition.

Family Faith Program

The Family Faith Program is a religious education program at the Church of St. Francis Xavier for students from pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade. The program includes post-confirmation classes, adult sessions, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and the Family Faith Choir.

For more information and registration please visit our new website at https://www.xavierfamilyfaith.org/ .

ISEL

Ignatian Spirituality in Everyday Life (ISEL)

IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY FOR EVERYDAY LIFE (ISEL) is a group of parish-based Spiritual Directors who offer to both parishioners and those outside the parish the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, directed or guided Advent and Lenten Retreats, Stations of the Light during the Easter Season, and individual Spiritual Direction. ISEL also offers Group Supervision to Directors three times a month.  We did presentations on several holy people, different spiritualities. During this year we initiated zoom meetings for both individual direction and group presentations. Please contact ISEL@sfxavier.org for further information.

Lay Spirits

Lay Spirits

Through the Lay Spirituality Program (“Lay Spirits”) at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, New York area lay people are committed to growing in deeper relationship with the Divine and learning how to discern God’s will in our lives and bringing these fruits out into the world.

We see ourselves as carrying out the mandate of the Second Vatican Council to renew and reinvigorate the Church. To this end, Lay Spirits sponsors a nine-month spiritual formation program in a group format.

Lay Spirits also sponsors a variety of activities such as workshops, retreats and prayer services oriented toward specific spiritual themes. Lay Spirits gathers in the hope that by opening ourselves to each other, we are better able to open ourselves to God.

LAY SPIRITS BROCHURE

For more information email: LaySpiritsX@gmail.com

Spiritual Directors Formation Program

WHAT IS A SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR?

A spiritual director is called to guide individuals who are seeking ongoing orientation, encouragement, and discernment in the life of the Spirit. A spiritual director is a companion for those on the spiritual journey of discipleship.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?

The 24-month program prepares students to be spiritual directors through classwork, mentoring, peer groups, retreats and individual supervision.  The bi-monthly classes cover the theology of spiritual direction, practical skills and tools and an exploration of contemporary issues in spirituality.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Spiritualdirection@sfxavier.org.

Spiritual Directors Formation Program Brochure
Spiritual Directors Formation Program Application