Jesus said, "Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
St. Mary's Religious Education is for children in Kindergarten through high school and their families.
Families with students in Kindergarten through 6th grade meet 1 Sunday morning/month from September through April (schedule to be announced). Students and their families are expected to attend mass every Sunday and Family Faith Formation meetings include 9:30 Family Mass. Immediately following mass, one time per month students and parents attend "Faith at Church" meetings with their peers. Once a month parents with their children have a "Faith at Home" meeting; supplies for the year are provided at the 1st Faith at Church meeting.
Children in all grade levels are accepted for 1st Reconciliation and 1st Communion. If a student is preparing to receive 1st Reconciliation (confession) & 1st Holy Communion they must attend a minimum of 2 consecutive years of religious education leading up to the sacrament. Preparation for 1st Holy Communion typically begins in 1st grade, but it is not unusual for older children, including high school students to begin 1st Holy Communion preparation later. The youngest grade a student will receive 1st Communion is 2nd grade. In addition to the monthly meeting times, students receiving 1st Communion and their parent(s) attend a retreat in the late winter just before receiving 1st Reconciliation.
Families with students in 7th grade through High School enter our Confirmation Preparation program. Students and their families are expected to attend mass every Sunday and their class time includes attendance at the 9:30 Family Mass. Classes meet twice per month from September through April (schedule to be announced). Parents are occasionally required to attend a class or parent meeting during preparation. Along with class time, students attend an annual retreat, participate in service to the church, and attend Catholic liturgical events outside of mass (e.g. Catholic baptism, Lessons and Carols at Christmas, & Stations of the Cross during Lent).
Students preparing for Confirmation, must have been baptized and received 1st Holy Communion. Preparation for Confirmation begins in 7th grade with the sacrament being administered in Spring of 8th grade. It is not unusual for a student to delay receiving Confirmation and students can enter religious education for this sacrament through Junior Year of High School.
For more information, please contact Jamie Corcoran - Parish Catechetical Leader for K-6 Michael Rogacki - Confirmation Children Coordinator [email protected]