Children ages 3-6 may choose to participate in the Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 4:30, 9:00, or 10:45 masses. During Children’s Liturgy of the Word, children leave mass during the readings and homily to hear the Word of God explained specifically for children.

Children in grades kindergarten, 1st, and 3rd-6th grades use Sadlier’s Christ in Us series, a “blended learning catechetical program that simultaneously supports and inspires all participants, linking religious education formation to the parish community.”

Children in second grade use Dynamic Catholic’s Blessed series to prepare for receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion while continually growing in their faith.

Confirmation preparation is a 2-year process that begins in the 7th grade and continues through the 8th grade. The sacrament of confirmation is generally administered during the 2nd semester of 8th grade. All 7th and 8th grade students are required to complete 15 hours of service each school year during Confirmation prep. Click here to record service hours.

Students in seventh grade use the Dynamic Catholic series, Decision Point, as well as Ascension Press’ Alteration (The Mystery of the Mass Revealed) and Encounter (Experiencing God in the Everyday).

The Confirmation preparation program used in 8th grade is designed to provide the essential intellectual and spiritual catechesis that is so vital to sacramental preparation. During the course of the year, the candidates for confirmation will be invited first to hear, then to respond with faith to the voice of God who has called us to become his sons and daughters – simply because “he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Young people are also encouraged to begin a full involvement in the Senior High Youth Group in 9th Grade which facilitates the same guidelines of faith formation directed by the Bishops. Sacramental Preparation is a 2 year process. One must be enrolled in Catholic School or a PRE program for one year prior to the year they are to receive Confirmation.

Each year we all hope to make the faith formation experience meaningful and lasting. As teachers, we will only be with your child 90 minutes a week! It is very important that the family reflect and enhance the weekly topics.

Below are some ways to work with your child at home.

1. Be an interested parent. Review the materials with your child each week. We ask that each child read a chapter at home for each class.
   A schedule will be sent to you for your child’s class. Our lives are so busy with many exciting commitments both to family and community; make room for 20 minutes a week to spend with your child and their religion textbook
2. Pray together as a family. Use anytime the family is gathered together as an opportunity for prayer. Today’s world sends mixed messages to our children, let the faith of your family be seen consistently in a variety of ways in the family.
3. Respect the importance of each class – please observe the guidelines for the beginning and end of classes. Being prompt and not leaving early will make the class time for all the students more effective. Give the instruction in the faith the same importance that you give to other learning environments.
4. Give church activities priority for your family. There are so many excellent opportunities to be a part of the parish community, please share these times with your children.

A reminder to families with children in 2nd grade and above, it is considered an integral part of your child’s faith formation that he/she also attend Mass on Sunday. Teaching a child religion who does not attend Mass weekly is like teaching swimming on the side of the pool.

If you have scheduled your child for a PRE class that does not allow for this, please call now and request a different time.