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.
2024-2025 Class Schedules
Classes are held September through May
Grades 1 through high school meet on certain Sundays from 9:30-10:45am. See UPDATED schedule below.
Preschool and Kindergarten classes are now finished. They will begin again in the fall.
First Communion Class
Children who are baptized and in 2nd grade and older, can prepare to receive First Communion. First Reconciliation is scheduled for March 16, 2025. Students need to celebrate their First Reconciliation before they can celebrate First Communion. Click below for details of the rest of the year.
If your child missed this year, you can sign them up for next year’s class that will begin in August 2025. Please contact the Parish Office at 515-288-7411 or chemphill@saintambrosecathedral.org for more information.
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!
