Family Faith Formation
The St. Ambrose Family Faith Formation program is designed for the entire family to be involved. Classes are typically held from September through May each year. Classes are held on Sundays from 9:30am-10:45am for students in grades 1 through high school. Parents also meet as a group when their children are in class.
There is also a group for Preschool and Kindergarten children. They meet during the 11:00am Mass on certain Sundays. They follow a different schedule, which can be found below.
It is very important that families register for classes every year that way we know how many children will be in each class and can prepare. You can download a registration form below and return it to the office.
REGISTER NOW FOR 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR! SEE BELOW!
Register Now for 2025-2026!
Classes are held September through May each year from 9:30-10:45am on most Sundays. Please sign up now for 2025-2026 classes. Download the form, fill it out, and send it back to us. You can drop it in the collection basket at Mass, drop it off at the office, email it, or mail it back to us.
2025-2026 Schedule (coming soon)
Classes are held September through May each year from 9:30-10:45am on most Sundays. Please sign up now for 2025-2026 classes.
The Sacraments
God has given us “sacraments” as an outward expression of His invisible grace. There are 3 sacraments which bring us fully into the Catholic church. These are called “sacraments of initiation” and are: Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.
Baptism: by Baptism, we become adopted sons and daughters of God and become members of the Church (the Body of Christ)
Confirmation: in Confirmation, we are “sealed with the Holy Spirit” and strengthened for service to the Body of Christ
Eucharist: partaking in the Eucharist, we are in full communion with the Church and are called to receive the Blessed Sacrament in union with (communion) our brothers and sisters in Christ
In our Diocese, we currently celebrate the sacrament of Eucharist in 2nd grade and Confirmation in high school.
If your child has not been baptized yet, please contact our office. If they are under 7 years old, we can schedule their baptism as soon as possible. If they are older than 7, they will need to be enrolled in our OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children) classes. This is different from our regular Faith Formation classes.
First Holy Communion
Baptized children typically receive First Holy Communion (and Reconciliation) in the spring of their 2nd grade year, but it can take place anytime after 2nd grade. Children must be enrolled in Faith Formation classes to prepare for this sacrament and cannot take Communion at Mass until they have officially received the sacrament.
Confirmation
Confirmation deepens our life in Christ, and in our Diocese, is the final “sacrament of initiation” which brings us fully into the Catholic church. In our diocese it is celebrated in high school. High school students prepare for two years and receive the sacrament in the spring of the second year. Please enroll your student in Faith Formation classes if they have not been Confirmed yet.
OCIC – Order of Christian Initiation for Children
Children ages 7 and up who have not been Baptized, will go through OCIC classes.
If you child is 7 or older and has not been baptized yet, please contact the office at 515-288-7411 or email secretary@saintambrosecathedral.org.
Classroom Locations
Preschool / Kindergarten: St. Ambrose Parish Hall during 11:00 AM Sunday Mass
Grades 1-2: St. Ambrose Parish Hall
Grades 3-5: Diocesan Pastoral Center, downstairs (across the street from St. Ambrose)
Grades 6-8: Diocesan Pastoral Center, downstairs (across the street from St. Ambrose)
High School students: Mercy College of Health Sciences – in Brennan Hall (928 6th Ave)
Parents: Diocesan Pastoral Center, main floor (across the street from St. Ambrose) or in the Cathedral chapel
Click below for a detailed map of Mercy College.
St. Ambrose Youth Group
There are many opportunities for the youth to get involved here at St. Ambrose. Throughout the year, our youth fundraise for various activities. The fundraising events enable them to attend events such as Catholic Youth Camp (CYC), National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), and last year some even attended World Youth Day in Portugal.
Some of the fundraising events they hold are:
- Monthly can and bottle collections in the SAC parking lot
- Working the concession stand for Drake University sporting events
- Cleaning Principal Park after baseball games
If you would like to get involved, see the Youth Ministry page for volunteer opportunities or contact Catherine Swoboda (cswoboda16@gmail.com) for more information. Anyone is welcome to help!
St. Ambrose Children’s Choir
Students entering 3rd – 5th grade are invited to join the children’s choir! We will meet weekly on Saturdays beginning October 5th from 5:15-6:15pm in the church. Students will sing monthly at one of the weekend Masses.
Volunteer with Family Faith Formation
We are always in need of volunteers to help with our Family Faith Formation program! Is God calling you to share your talents? We have many opportunities for you to help including:
- Help teach a class (be a Catechist!)
- Help students prepare for sacraments
- Help Catechists with class prep or special activities
- Help with Family Faith Encounters
- Help coordinate activities
- Help the youth group with fundraising activities
Even if you can’t help every weekend, we would still appreciate your help when you can!
