Generations of Faith FAQs

For the safety and well-being of all, we are adapting our GOF program model for this year. Our current plans are based on governmental and diocesan regulations and they could change if these regulations change. After a ton of research, creativity and hard work, we are really excited about what we will offer this year: the opportunity to engage in a powerful learning experience, grow deeply in faith, have lots of fun, and stay safe.

We've compiled the following FAQ's to help you make the most informed decision about participating in GOF this year.

Will we be gathering monthly this year, as we usually do? When will the schedule be available? Yes, we will be gathering monthly this year. However, we will not be meeting in a large group setting, with 100-150 participants in attendance at a time. Instead, we will offer an onsite option that brings small groups (cohorts) of households together each month on a designated day/time. We will also be offering a virtual option for households who prefer to participate in GOF remotely due to health and safety concerns. A tentative schedule is available on our GOF landing page - it lays out the week we will be gathering each month. Our first GOF gatherings will take place the week of October 18. If you choose the onsite option, once you register for GOF (see below), we will follow up with an email with directions for signing up for the cohort of your choice. At that point, you will choose the specific day/time that you will attend GOF each month. If you choose the virtual option, once you have registered we will follow up with you to provide you with the information you need to access each month's virtual gathering space.

Will we be gathering in-person or virtually this year? This year we are offering two options for participating in GOF: an onsite option and a virtual option. Option #1 - Onsite: If you choose the onsite GOF option, your household will participate in monthly gatherings in small groups (cohorts) of up to 10-12 households. Once these cohorts are formed, you and the other households in your group will meet once a month in our Social Hall at your group's designated time, w/social distancing and other safety measures in place. Option #2 - Virtual: Each month we will also offer a virtual gathering space for households who prefer to participate in GOF remotely due to health and safety concerns. See below for more details.

Can I switch from onsite to virtual gatherings or vice-versa? If you need to make a switch, we will support and work with you to accommodate this. Additionally, there may come a point when we need to move our whole program to a virtual platform - we hope not!

For the onsite gatherings, what is the maximum number of households who can participate in a particular session? At this point, we can safely accommodate 10-12 households in our Social Hall at one time with social distancing and safety measures in place. So this is our max at the moment.

For the onsite gatherings, will I be able to choose the day/time that my household will participate each month? Or will I be assigned a day/time? You will be able to choose. Once you have registered for GOF, you will receive a follow-up email with directions for choosing your cohort - the day/time your household will attend GOF each month.

What if I can't make my group's designated monthly day/time? Can I switch to another onsite group that month? At this point, we are unable to allow this. For the safety and well-being of all, and in line with Diocesan regulations, we are following a cohort model: what it boils down to is that households participating in the onsite option must stick with their designated day/time so that groups aren't mixing. We understand that emergencies arise which may prevent you from attending a particular session one month. In this case, we will invite you to participate in the virtual gathering space.

What will the check-in procedures for onsite gatherings look like this year? Each individual household will be greeted at the lobby entrance to church, signed in, and escorted to our gathering space in the Social Hall. We ask you to be patient and practice social distancing as you wait to be greeted.

Will I have to fill out some kind of screening form for my household before coming to each onsite session? Yes. We will provide you with this form. If you forget to bring it, we will have extra forms on hand for you to complete as you check in.

Will we be wearing face masks at the onsite sessions? Yes. For the safety and well-being of all, and in line with Diocesan regulations, everyone over the age of 2 years must bring and wear a face mask. Face masks must be worn up over the nose. You must have your face mask on when you exit your car.

For the onsite sessions, where will we be meeting? How will the space be set up to accommodate social distancing? We will be meeting in the Social Hall. Every household will have their own designated table, spaced six feet apart from the other tables. Households will not mix.

What's the general format of each session? You can expect the best of what you are used to - beginning and ending with prayer, engaging opening activities, interactive deep learning around that month's focus, and follow-up to support your household's continued learning between sessions.

Will we be breaking out into smaller groups according to age, as we have done in past years? As we start the year, we will be using a "one-room schoolhouse" model. We will not be breaking out into smaller groups according to age. Your household will remain together for the full session. We have an excellent multi-age curriculum to engage, educate and enrich learners of all ages and styles.

Will the virtual sessions be live-streamed? As we start the year, we will not be live-streaming the virtual sessions. In our virtual gathering space, we will provide pre-recorded sessions in an engaging, accessible and digestible format that includes a feedback loop (i.e. short reflection questions, surveys, activities, etc. to complete and submit easily.) Your household will be able to access and participate in each month's virtual gathering at at time convenient to you.

How long is each onsite gathering? What about the virtual gatherings? Plan for 1.5-2 hours per onsite gathering. The virtual gatherings will be of similar length, but broken up into digestible segments to allow you to participate at your own pace.

Will we be sharing supplies at the onsite gatherings? No. There will be no sharing of supplies among separate households. Every household will be provided with a supply kit for the year. We will store these kits in a safe space at church, so you don't have to worry about bringing them to and from each session.

If I choose the virtual option for my household, will we be responsible for finding our own supplies? No. We will provide your household with a supply kit for the year.

Will I need to bring my own Bible? If you have a favorite Bible, please bring it! We will be using our Bibles at every gathering. We will provide a Bible for each household to use throughout the year, as part of your household's supply kit.

Will there be food at the onsite gatherings? At this time, we are not able to offer a shared meal. We are looking into alternate possibilities. For the present, please do not plan on food at GOF gatherings.

How do I register my household for GOF this year? You'll find directions and a link to register online on our GOF landing page

What is the cost? Registration fees do not cover the cost of our program. Due to a generous donation, we are able to lower the registration fee for GOF this year to $25.00 per person, with a maximum of $75.00 per household (Children 4-years old and under are always free!) Cost should never prevent participation. If cost is an issue, please contact Joy Galarneau at 518-765-2805 / stmatthewsfaithdevelopment@verizon.net. All conversations are treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.

Is there a cost if I choose the virtual option? Yes. The registration fee is the same for both the onsite and virtual options this year. It helps defray the cost of supplies (which will be provided for all households, including those enrolled in the virtual option), technology, staff, etc. Cost should never prevent participation. If cost is an issue, please contact Joy Galarneau at 518-765-2805 / stmatthewsfaithdevelopment@verizon.net. All conversations are treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.

I'm an adult without school-aged children. Why should I come to Generations of Faith? GOF offers adults the opportunity to delve deeply into the riches of our Catholic intellectual and spiritual traditions within a dynamic community of diverse learners. In so doing, we seek to support and empower you on your lifelong faith journey. And we seek to soak up your wisdom and witness of faith!

Why do parents have to attend GOF with their children? At their child's baptism, parents accept the responsibility of raising their children in the Christian faith. GOF is designed to support and empower parents in this responsibility. What's more, our experience teaches us that children whose parents are involved in their faith education (as teachers and co-learners) are much more likely to grow into adults who embrace and actively practice their faith.

At what age should my child begin participating in GOF? It is our hope that by the time your child is in kindergarten, your household is enrolled in GOF. It is our experience that the earlier children begin learning and growing in faith, the better prepared they are to understand and embrace the sacramental and developmental milestones along their faith journey.

Are babies and small children welcome at GOF? Will there be a nursery this year? Our parish's littlest angels are always welcome at GOF! For the safety and well-being of all, at this time we are not be able to offer a nursery option for the coming year.

My child will be enrolling in First Communion prep this year. Should we also be enrolling in GOF? Yes. Households with children preparing for First Communion are expected to attend GOF sessions.

My child will be enrolling in Confirmation prep this year. Should we also be enrolling in GOF? Confirmation Candidates and their families are invited and encouraged to attend GOF sessions, but are not required to do so.

Who do I contact with questions? We welcome your questions! Contact Dr. Joy Galarneau, Pastoral Associate for Faith Development at 518-765-2805 / stmatthewsfaithdevelopment@verizon.net