FORMATION
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION VISION STATEMENT
The religious education program of St. Mary's Church will work to increase the interest and enhance communication within our community of parishioners and young people by providing interactive and cooperative learning opportunities emphasizing the basics of our Catholic faith.
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Public school and Homeschool Students are invited to Grades K-5 classroom sessions.
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All Families of the parish are invited to Mass nights. Students will meet in class at 6:00; Mass will be at 6:40.
Begins September 6, 2023
Students meet at 6:00 pm
Grades K-5 at Aquinas Elementary
Grades 6-12 - at Rectory
DISCIPLESHIP
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
“In the early Church, the faithful were prepared for the Church in a space called the “atrium.” Just so, when children are prepared for the church community, an atrium should be prepared for them. This place is not a place of religious instruction, but of conversion. It should be a place of spiritual retreat for children. A place of prayer, in which work and study spontaneously become meditation and contemplation. A place in which the only Teacher is Christ and both children and adults listen to His Word. A place where themes from the Bible and liturgy are used as fundamental sources for nourishing the child in his/her most vital religious needs. A place in which the Eucharist is central to the life of the atrium.” - The US Association of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Confirmation Class
"...by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed." CCC 1285
Confirmation is held every two years, and is next planned for Spring 2024. Preparation to be a candidate for this sacrament is open to baptized Catholics, 10 years of age or older who are committed, or will commit, to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. This includes regular attendance at Sunday Mass, regular confession and a desire to deepen the life of prayer.
"Preparation for Confirmation should aim at leading the Christian toward a more intimate union with Christ and a more lively familiarity with the Holy Spirit - his actions, his gifts, and his biddings - in order to be more capable of assuming the apostolic responsibilities of Christian life. To this end catechesis for Confirmation should strive to awaken a sense of belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Church as well as the parish community. The latter bears special responsibility for the preparation of confirmands" CCC1309
Confirmation will be Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 2:00 pm. More information concerning Confirmation preparation will be available mid-October, 2023. Classes will begin January, 2024.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be offered for children 3 to 6 years of age from September 2023 - May 2024 on Wednesdays from 9-10:30 AM OR 4:30-6 PM. There will be a size limitation to the sessions and spots will be reserved on a first come basis. Children must be 3 by August 1st. Email Miriam Daro (miriamgthorn@gmail.com) for more information. Forms are due back to Miriam Daro by September 4.
Adult Christian Formation (RCIA) Study:
All adults, Catholic or non-Catholic, are invited to participate in our RCIA study of the Catholic Faith on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 pm in the Didier Room. Each week will cover a different topic of our Catholic Faith and will be taught by Fr. Connor, Fr. Schukei, and/or Sr. Mary. There will be plenty of opportunity for Q&A. All are welcome!
Non-Catholics who participate in the study may request to enter the Catholic Church at Easter and this study will serve as the necessary preparation. However, becoming a Catholic is not necessary nor expected. By attending each week there is no commitment made to enter the Catholic Church. All are welcome!
6:40 pm MASS NIGHTS
September 6, 2023
October 4, 2023
November 15, 2023
December 6, 2023
January 17, 2024
February 14, 2024
March 20, 2024
