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St. Stephen, Martyr
Catholic Church
1544 S. Battlefield Blvd
Chesapeake, VA 
23322
757-421-7416


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BLAZE!  Set Your Faith on Fire!

What is Blaze?

Blaze is a catechetical model of life-long learning of our faith. Everyone in the parish is invited to join Blaze whether you have school aged children or not. Blaze is an opportunity to share a meal, get to know fellow parishioners, and deepen your relationship with Jesus Christ.

Why Blaze?

For the past 50 plus years the focus of parish Christian Formation has been on children and teens. In paragraph five of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (November 17, 1999) “Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us”, A Pastoral Plan for Adult Formation states, “Adult formation, by which people grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer, and study, must be “the central task in this catechetical enterprise”, becoming “the axis around which revolves the catechesis of childhood and adolescence as well as that of old age.”

Who does BLAZE include?

Blaze includes all parish households. Single person households, households with or without children and empty nesters are invited to join Blaze. Life-long learning is for everyone in the parish. Nursery will be available at each session after the meal and pre-school aged children are invited to participate.


How often does BLAZE meet?

Blaze will be offered three times a month. Households will have the choice each month to flex which day of the week best suits their needs. You will be given an opportunity to sign up three weeks prior to the Blaze week. Every household will be asked to help with the monthly session, for example; bringing in a supply item, hall monitor, set-up, clean up, roles in the monthly program, etc.  PleaseClick Here to see the current Blaze schedule. 

Sacramental Preparation:

The immediate preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation will be separate from the Blaze program. Participants in these programs are expected to be enrolled in Blaze.  Please come on and all.

If you plan to teach in any of the models of Christian Formation you must be Pathways Certified. Pathways can be taken on-line, with a group at a workshop provided by the church or independently at church.

Christian Formation Office   757.421.7416
Contact Cass at cass@ssmrcc.org