About Our Programs

MINISTRY OF CATECHIST

ANTIQUUM MINISTERIUM - Pope Francis on May 11, 2021 formally created a new official ministry in the Catholic Church for those who teach the fundamentals of the faith to children and others, opening the position to "men and women of deep faith and human maturity...The Spirit is calling men and women to set out and encounter all those who are waiting to discover the beauty, goodness and truth of the Christian faith"

Why is religious formation important for my children?

In our Religious Education (RE) Programs candidates and their families learn about the richness and beauty of their Catholic faith as they prepare for the sacraments of Baptism (if needed), Reconciliation (Confession), Eucharist (First Holy Communion) and Confirmation.

RE classes help families develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour and find answers about the reason for being.

We encourage parents to begin their child’s formal religious education classes in 2nd GRADE.

BAPTISM: Children 5 years of age and younger are considered infants. Please ask the rectory about Infant Baptism. Children who are 6 years of age and older must attend the Religious Education program with their parents for 2 years before they can be baptized.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Candidates must attend RE classes for 2 years in order to receive First Holy Communion.  Classes are held weekly on Tuesday (English) and Thursday (Bilingual) and candidates from grades 2-12 are invited to join.

FIRST CONFESSION: Candidates are instructed and prepared for the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) concurrently where they will have the opportunity to go to First Confession a few weeks before their First Holy Communion.

BRIDGE: We invite all families who recently received the Sacrament of First Holy Communion to enroll into "BRIDGE".  BRIDGE students will be placed into existing first communion preparation classes based on age and grade, and can participate in weekly or monthly sessions.

CONFIRMATION: Candidates must attend RE classes for 2 years according to Archdiocesan guidelines as a teenager to be considered for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Classes are offered in English and meet one Wednesday (6:45-8:45PM) and one Sunday (9:30AM-12:30PM) per month.  Detail schedule will be posted August 1, 2023 under the Family page.

RCIA: Candidates 18 years or older can prepare for the sacraments through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) program.  Older children who require other Sacraments of Initiation, will be placed in an age-appropriate class and attend concurrent classes with Confirmation for the first year.  Classes are held weekly on Sunday (English only) and candidates are invited to join at no cost.

ADULT FAITH FORMATION - Participants only need to be 18 years or older and have a desire to grow in their faith.  This program uses various content like the The Chosen Series and FORMED.  Classes are offered in English and Spanish and an updated program and schedule will be posted August 1, 2023.