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Register Here for 2026-2027 YFF

Receiving Sacraments is a vital expression of who we are as followers of Christ

God desires more than anything to give us His life – His very life is received through the 7 Sacraments. A Sacrament is an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace. The Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are traditionally received during the 2nd grade year (although older children and adults also receive these sacraments each year). The Sacrament of Confirmation is traditionally received in the 8th grade year. Below is information about Sacramental Preparation at Church of the Ascension.
 
The Role of Parents:
● The faith formation of children and their preparation to celebrate the sacraments is primarily the responsibility of parents. Fr. Gary, as pastor, faith formation coordinators, catechists and the parish community share this responsibility and assist parents to bring their child to the fullness of a life of discipleship through prayer, support, formal catechetical programs and preparation processes.
● Parents prepare their children for sacraments by first serving as an example through their own regular participation in the Sunday Eucharist, their own modeling of prayer and service, and their active participation in the life of the parish community.
● Parents have the privilege, right and responsibility to be intimately involved in preparing their children for sacraments.
● Parents are expected to attend parent sessions so that their ability to participate in the preparation of their child to receive the sacrament is enhanced.
 
First Reconciliation & First Eucharist Preparation
Preparation for a child’s First Holy Communion is 2 years. Children are to be registered in Youth Faith Formation one year prior to their reception. For most children this means being in 1st grade classes prior to their 2nd grade year.
Preparation for Reconciliation and First Eucharist includes:
● Weekly attendance at Sunday Mass
● Attendance and active participation at weekly class.
● Participation in sacramental preparation sessions (Forgiveness Day and Jesus Day)
● Completion of parent/child home assignments
● Providing a copy of the child’s Baptismal certificate (if not baptized at Ascension)
● Participation in parent/child rehearsals
● All candidates who have received the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist are encouraged to continue receiving the Eucharist weekly and to receive the Lord’s gift of forgiveness when needed (a few times a year is recommended)
 
The Sacrament of Confirmation
Confirmation is a gift of the Holy Spirit which confirms our initiation in Christ which began at Baptism and calls us to be witnesses of Christ’s life and love. It is the beginning of the next step in one’s spiritual journey.
We have a two year preparation Program for all candidates preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students must have completed Year I (traditionally 7th grade School of Religion) before entering into Year II (S&L).
Year I Confirmation
Students in Year I will show their readiness by doing the following:
1. Attend Weekly Classes from September – May 2. Complete any assignments given in class. 3. Perform 10 Service Projects (Stewardship Activities).
Each of these components are signs of their readiness to move forward in their Confirmation Journey. If one is unable to complete the above mentioned they will need to repeat Year I. Stewardship Reflection Sheet1
Year II Confirmation:
1. Provide a copy of the candidate’s Baptismal certificate (if not baptized at Ascension).
2. Having attend Year I Confirmation (traditionally 7th grade) prior to entering Year II (traditionally 8th grade) faith formation.
3. Attend Weekly Meetings.
4. Attend a Confirmation Retreat
5. Complete 15 stewardship activities.
6. Candidates must complete all homework assignments.
7. Letter to Pastor on the desire for reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation
Completion of the things mentioned above are what we consider “signs of readiness” for Confirmation. It is important that each of these are completed and each candidate participates in each aspect of our program in order to be ready to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Family Formation

Renewing The Family One Lesson At A Time

About Family Formation

  • Do you as a parent want to be more involved in helping your children come to know and love Jesus Christ?
  • Do you want to find ways to pass on the faith and live it in your family?
  • Did you know Ascension Parish has a program for anyone in Kindergarten, 1st , 3rd – 5th Grade? This program is for children who attend public schools (home school and Catholic school children are welcome). Our Catholic Faith is the greatest of gift to pass onto your children that will affect their whole lives long after they have left home.

Family Formation is a truly innovative faith formation program, based on the principle that “Parents are the primary educators in the Faith” (General Directory for Catechesis 255). As the title suggests, Family Formation revolves around the family. This shared learning experience spills over into the family’s everyday life.

Family Formation

  • A great Catholic curriculum
  • Brings the Faith alive through dynamic lessons, activities, and audio
  • Follows the three-year liturgical cycle and points families to what is happening in the Church year.
  • Is driven by Sacred Scripture.
  • Is faithful to the teaching of our Catholic Faith.

Family Formation at Ascension

We meet on the 1st Wednesday of each month from September – May from 6:00pm to 7:30pm.

Be a Part of a great program for your family! Call the YFF office for more info: 913-681-7683.

Prayers to learn by grade level

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Sixth Grade

Seventh Grade

Eighth Grade

Youth Faith Formation (YFF)

About YFF

Youth Faith Formation offers programs for children from Pre-School through 12th Grade.

Children are a gift and a joy from God. We at Church of the Ascension believe that your children’s faith formation is a continuing journey. It is one that begins in the home and is reinforced by the programs we offer. Our main objective is not only to transmit the basic teachings of the Catholic Faith but to form them into the faith so that they learn about Jesus and come to know Jesus through encounters with Him.

We are honored to have you a part of our program and look forward to partnering with you and your child(ren) as they grow closer to Jesus Christ and His Church.

We desire to help students grow in their love of Christ who is Lord, Savior, and Friend.

Through our Baptism, Christ has called us to be a disciple and follow Him as He has revealed Himself through the Sacred Scriptures and Apostolic Tradition.

Parents are the primary educators (formators) of their child’s spiritual, social, emotional, and physical development. This duty is irreplaceable. Therefore, our program seeks to collaborate with parents in this vital endeavor to pass on the Catholic Faith and all its riches to the next generation. 

Through our Youth Faith Formation Program, parents can foster the spiritual development of their child by:

  • living the faith in word and deed at home and everywhere they go,
  • bringing their child(ren) to Faith Formation every year (not just for sacramental preparation),
  • weekly attendance at Mass on Sundays and all holy days of obligation,
  • responding in obedience to the doctrines and teachings of the Church, our Holy Father, and our Bishop,
  • taking an active interest in what is being covered in their child(ren)’s class, and
  • teaching their children to pray and hear God’s voice in their lives.

Our Program Promises To

  • draw parents into a deeper encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. Parents can only hand on the faith when they themselves have committed to making Jesus Christ the center of their lives.
  • assist parents in helping students understand the beauty of the Catholic Faith.
  • enable each individual to nourish his/her own personal relationship with God through prayer, study, Scripture, and frequent participation in the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation.
  • help parents and students recognize the Eucharistic liturgy as the source, expression and celebration of who we are as Catholic Christians.
  • encourage students to grow toward full and active participation in the life and mission of the Church.
  • help each person develop a desire to actively live their faith and be involved in the life and mission of the Church as they make the Kingdom of God present here and now in the world.

Youth Faith Formation offers programs for children from Pre-School through 12th Grade.

REGISTRATION is for the school year. Register now for the 2026-2027 school year.

Fall-Spring:

Weekly YFF, K – 12 Grade: Wednesday From 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (Parents attend on the 1st Wednesday of the month)

Family Formation, K, 1st, 3rd-5th Grade: 1st Tuesday of each month from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM (followed by 3 Home Lessons).

Year I Confirmation (traditionally 7th Grade) Wednesdays from 6:00PM to 7:30PM.

Year II Confirmation – (traditionally 8th grade – but must have completed Year I) 6:00PM to 7:30PM. Contact the YFF office for more information.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 8:15am and the 10:00am Masses.

Special Needs – We offer learning sessions every Wednesday, September – May. Register online and call with any questions.

Vacation Bible School (always the first full week of June) Registration begins April 1st

Prayers to be learned by Grade Level are above on the YFF website

We Want To Help You

Please Contact Us with Any Concerns or Questions: YFF Office: 913-681-7683 Dr. William O’Leary‚ Pastoral Associate For Youth Faith Formation: woleary@kcascension.org Tricia Baldwin‚ Administrative Assistant: tbaldwin@kcascension.org

9510 W. 127th Street | Overland Park, KS 66213

913-681-3348

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