St. James Cathedral's Faith Friends is a blend of our original Faith Mentor faith formation program, which we began in 2014, and a new adaptive catechesis program. The program's goal is to give children and teens ages 7-18 with learning differences, physical, cognitive and/or intellectual disabilities access to parish community, social events, and faith formation. Our goal for each of our Faith Friends is that they will be actively-participating in parish-life and fully-initiated in the Faith receiving the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion (First Reconciliation), and Confirmation.  

Features of our program include:
  • Faith Friends on Sundays: Twice Monthly Faith Formation - Inclusive Social and Community Activities. Opportunity for one-to-one faith formation and/or Sacramental Preparation for each Faith Friend, allowing them to thrive on his/her own level, instruction provided by a Faith Mentor.
  • Teen Time: Once every other month.  Teen only activities.
  • Birthday Club: Celebrate your birthday with Faith Friends!  (Every other month)
  • Faith Friends are invited, encouraged, and accompanied to their participation in activities in St. James Children's Faith Formation, Youth Ministry and other parish-wide events, liturgical celebrations appropriate to their needs and abilities.
  • Parent/Caregiver respite time.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Faith Friends program is the Faith Mentor/Faith Peer program. Faith Mentors/Peers are youth and young adults who have chosen to live out their discipleship and share some of their personal time in dedication and service to the goals of the program.  After completing an intake process and training, these Faith Peers volunteer at various monthly Faith Friend meetings and other group activities.  Faith Peers can also serve as a Faith Mentor by being paired with a Faith Friend.
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Please email us for more information.  We are happy to answer any questions you may have.
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​If you would like to learn more or volunteer in our program as Faith Mentor* or Faith Peer, please click here to complete our online form.

​If you are are interested in registering your child as a Faith Friend, please click here to complete our online form.

Our page on the St. James Cathedral
​website is: https://www.stjames-cathedral.org/kids/faithfriends.aspx

*Faith Mentors can qualify to get high school service hours for their participation.

St. James Cathedral

804 Ninth Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
​Phone 206.622.3559

Parish Website