Christian Formation Commission

The mission of the Christian Formation Commission is to invite and engage adult members of the parish to participate in faith formation activities. These are oriented towards increasing their knowledge of the faith, calling them into a deeper personal relationship with Christ and inspiring them to put their faith into action.

Parish Faith Formation

Parish Mission: We offer opportunities to grow deeper in our spiritual lives thru our Parish Mission. The Parish Mission provides extraordinary preaching outside of our Sunday homilies and other instructional courses. It is meant to invigorate our parish community as well as strengthen our bonds with one another. The mission is also intended to renew our commitment and attachment to the Body of Christ present in our faith community.

Formation Resources: The following resources are available for parishioners with a variety of needs; those involved in sacramental preparation, catechists, Small Christian Communities, study groups, or individuals and their families.

• Lighthouse Catholic Media kiosk is located near the Welcome Desk in the Narthex. It offers a wide variety of authentic Catholic media. Parishioners are able to take and keep these books, CDs and DVDs in exchange for a small recommended donation.
• The Parish Library is a collection of faith-based books, DVDs and CDs that are physically housed in a small room near the Welcome Desk in the Narthex. Parishioners are invited to check out materials for a period of time and return them, similar to a local public library. Click here to go to the online catalog. 
• FORMED is a digital platform that gives our parishioners unprecedented access to video-based study programs, feature films, audio presentations, and eBooks from the Church's foremost presenters. Register at www.formed.org using our parish code MHRFR3.

Small Faith Communities: We at St. Elizabeth Seton have the opportunity to experience community in much the same way that early Christians did. Small Faith Communities offer us the chance to meet with others in our parish to pray, reflect on Scripture, and to connect our everyday life with our faith. Many in our parish have experienced small group faith sharing and come to St. Elizabeth Seton looking for a continuation of the positive aspects of such programs. Others find themselves searching for a deeper understanding of their faith which they know can be found by sharing and praying with those who have similar interests. Because of the mobility of many in our parish, some people look to Small Faith Communities as a way to feel part of a small parish “family” within the larger parish family.

Adult Faith Formation

Bible Study: This Bible Study is an ongoing study of Sacred Scripture, both Old and New Testaments. A study guide is used that asks the participant to prepare for each session with a particular focus on the impact of these scripture passages on our lives today. Faith sharing in a group environmentis an essential part of this study.

Cursillo: The full name, “Cursillo de Christiandad” is a Spanish term meaning, “Short course in Christianity,” making Cursillo different from a retreat, but complementary to one. It is a lay church movement made up of three parts, the pre-Cursillo, the Cursillo and the post-Cursillo. During the three days of the weekend itself, from Thursday evening to Sunday evening, people from various walks of life and from all over the diocese, will have the opportunity to discover a new understanding of Jesus Christ, hear basic Christian truths, and learn a method of forming and sustaining lay leadership by which ordinary people can grow in the love and service of God and others for the rest of their lives.

That Man is You! (TMIY): That Man is You! is a men’s group that meets regularly during the school year on Saturday mornings. This interactive men’s program combines the best research from science with the teaching of the Catholic faith and the wisdom of the saints to develop the vision of a man fully alive. 

Walking with Purpose (WWP):  Walking With Purpose is a Women's Bible Study that exists to help all women know Jesus Christ personally by making Scripture and the teachings of the Catholic Church relevant and applicable. By creating communities centered around Catholic-based bible studies, women deepen their relationships with Jesus Christ, enabling transformation to take place in their hearts - and, by extension - in their families, in their communities, and ultimately, in our world.

Welcome (Formerly CRHP): The Welcome Weekend is a day and a half commitment to growing your faith, and is given by parishioners for parishioners. Members of the Giving Team volunteer to present the challenges and successes of their own lives, allowing attendees to introspect their own relationships regardless of where they are in their faith journey. The end result is often a stronger bond with other attendees and a renewed passion for Christ. Saint Elizabeth Seton offers both a men's and women's Welcome Weekend.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter/IMET: A Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend is for any husband and wife or priest/religious interested in a weekend away from the distractions and demands of everyday life, to focus on their marriage and on each other. (Priest/Religious: focus on their service to their spouse, the people of God.) The weekend is designed to deepen and enrich the joys a couple share, whether they have been married only a short time or for many years. It is not a retreat, a clinic, nor a group sensitivity course. You actually give the weekend to each other. Marriage Encounter is open to all married couples/religious regardless of faith expression. The weekends are held several times a year at a local hotel or retreat center. There are also virtual weekend formats that allow you to attend online from any location. For more information contact John & Betty Schuch at 630-983-5999 or johnwschuch@gmail.com. Applications to attend a weekend can be found at www.wwme-chicagoland.org or call 630-577-0778. You may also call John and Betty if you would like more information about the Inter-parish Marriage Enrichment Team (IMET) that St. Elizabeth Seton Parish is part of and supports.

Young Adult Community (YAC): A new group for young adults in their 20s and 30s. We regularly gather for fellowship and social events, give back to our community through service projects, and participate in faith formation activities to grow in our Catholic faith. Whether you are single or part of a couple, have young children or barely manage the care of a plant, we invite you to be a part of our community. For more information about YAC and for a calendar of upcoming activities, check out the St. Elizabeth Seton website, Facebook page, or the weekly bulletin. Contact Matt Napoli at mattandalicianap@aol.com to be added to our email list. 

Child/Youth Faith Formation

Coming to know, love and serve Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, is a lifelong journey. St. Elizabeth Seton Community of Faith is committed to partnering with our families to develop close, personal relationships with Jesus to experience all the peace and joy that God has planned for us. Our 10-year Family Faith Formation program is the foundation on which a life of character and virtue is built. Our goal is to make intentional disciples of all the faithful so we can change the world through our living example. Our family model of religious formation focuses on encountering God in His living Word, developing an active prayer life, receiving Jesus fully present in the Eucharist at Mass, responding to God’s call to love and serve His people and embracing the teachings of our Lord Jesus.

Throughout the year we come together every Sunday to celebrate Mass and once a month for Family Formation Events. We provide at-home weekly Family Gospel Lessons and on-going Family Service opportunities. We come together to praise and worship God at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as all our teaching begins and flows from the Mass. We find the purpose for which we were created and seek God’s direction to fulfill our mission during our Sunday worship.

Our children are also prepared to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation during their 10-year journey.

Vacation Bible School: Vacation Bible School is the best week of the summer! Your children, in grades kindergarten through 5th grade, are invited to participate in a weeklong faith filled adventure. They will sing, play games, listen to stories, make crafts, enjoy yummy treats and make new friends. Students in grades 6 and up are invited to be Youth Leaders sharing their faith and gifts with others. VBS is held in the summer, so look for the registration in the spring.

ASCA (All Saints Catholic Academy): All Saints Catholic Academy is a regional Catholic elementary school, founded in 2005 by three Naperville parishes: St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, St. Margaret Mary Parish, and St. Thomas the Apostle Parish. ASCA educates children from Pre-school through 8th Grade.