Child & Family Faith Formation

At Our Lady of the Lake, we love our children! The goal of Child & Family Faith Formation is to offer opportunities to grow the faith of our children (infant-6th grade) and their families. Our programs help encourage children to make Jesus the center of their lives. These programs include Life Kids, the Gratitude Project, Children's Liturgy of the Word, Nursery, and Vacation Bible School. We also provide family-friendly programming and events throughout the year.

Upcoming

Family Faith Events

 

Camp registration is full. We're looking forward to seeing everyone on June 22nd at 9am!

Sunday Faith Programs:

Fall Enrollment Begins: July 15

Life Kids
Bible Adventure

Life Kids is our in-person, faith formation program for children 3 1/2 years and potty-trained through 5th Grade.  These classes meet each Sunday, 10:15-11:00am, from September to May.  We explore the Bible through the God's Plan in Scripture program by Ascension Press. Registration begins July 15, 2026.

The Gratitude Project

In coordination with Gratitude Project founder Sally Fallow, this program engages families with 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade students to live out their faith through acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others.  This class meets throughout the school year to explore a Corporal Act of Mercy, meet a community member who lives out this charitable act, and then engage families in a related service project.  Registration begins July 15, 2026.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word

Children’s Liturgy of the Word is a year-round faith formation program offered during the 9am and 11:15am Masses. Before the First Reading, young children are invited to gather at the front of the church for a blessing and are then led to a classroom for their lesson. During this 20 minute program, they hear Scripture explained in ways that they can grasp. Their learning continues through songs, crafts, and games. After the Prayers of the Faithful, catechists guide them back to the Mass to rejoin their families.

 

If you would like to volunteer, please email Melissa Hanifan at melissah@ollparish.com.

Nursery

The Nursery is open to children ages 6 months to 3 years on Sundays from 8:45am to 12:15pm. Our loving Nursery staff lead toddlers in Christian songs, Bible stories, crafts, and prayer. Come visit us in the OLL School Building. No registration required.

More Opportunities

Join Group
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Safe Environment Training for Volunteers

We love our volunteers!  You make our programs possible; thank you for your service. 

 

Click here to access the training portal.

 

New Volunteers:  If you are not yet CASE trained, please sign up here for a class.  All classes are 90 min long and must be completed in person. 


More about CASE: When it comes to working with minors, the Archdiocese of Portland has training requirements in place for the protection of our children, including Creating a Safe Environment (CASE) training, and a background check. Once the initial training is complete, an online refresher course is required each year to maintain active status. For more information, you may email melissah@ollparish.com or visit the Archdiocese of Portland website.

Questions? Interested in Volunteering?

 

Contact our Coordinator of

Child & Family Faith Formation

 

Melissa Hanifan

Coordinator of

Child & Family Faith Formation

melissah@ollparish.com

 

 

Georgie Bullock

Family Faith Events Coordinator

georgieb@ollparish.com

 

 

Additional Resources for Faith in the Home

We believe that faith begins in the home. Families are encouraged to eat, pray, and share their faith together. For parents interested in creating or improving their family-based faith practices, below are two additional resources aimed at nurturing faith in your family and establishing the tradition of reading the Bible with your children.

 

Family Resources

  Nurturing Faith in Your Family

  Understanding Sunday's Scripture  Readings

  Tips for Reading the Bible