Youth Formation
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Religious Education Program Overview
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Religious Education News
- Classes for the Fall 2024 Religious Education program are in session
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Our Mission
As a Religious Education Program we, along with the assistance of so many dedicated certified teachers and volunteers, try to create and organize a program which is alive and loving. Our mission cannot succeed without the cooperation of you, the parents. As Vatican II expressed the wisdom of the ages:
Learn more about the program for each grade
“Since parents have given children life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. This role is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied when it is lacking… It is particularly in the Christian family, enriched by the grace and office of the sacrament of matrimony, that children should be taught from their early years to have a knowledge of God according to the faith received in Baptism, to worship Him and love their neighbor.” -
Registration Requirements
Families must be registered active parishioners whose children have been in the Religious Education program for at least one year (with the exception of first graders).This includes the New Parishioner Orientation meeting. Copies of each student’s Baptismal certificate and record of previously completed Religious Education classes and sacraments must be received by the office when registering in our program for the first time.
Please be aware that children entering grades 2-8 must have completed and passed their previous Religious Education work before they can be registered for the next school year. Additionally registration/class enrollment will not be processed until all paperwork is in the office. Returning students who do not have a copy of their Baptismal Certificate on file in the office WILL NOT be secured in a class for the next term.
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Resources
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RE Frequently Asked Questions
- Sacrament of the Eucharist
- Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
- Sacrament of Confirmation
- Student/Parent Handbook
- Online Learning
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First Eucharist is celebrated during a Sunday Mass. Families will select from dates and times through a lottery system.
To emphasize that they are joining the Church Community, the First Communion ceremony is integrated into the Sunday Mass celebration. Over a two week period, a group of children make their First Communion at a certain weekend Mass. Each child makes a First Communion banner, which is placed at the end of the church pew to reserve it for the family.
For additional information, see First Eucharist Preparation
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First Penance and Reconciliation preparation is a two year process.
For additional information, see Penance & Reconciliation Preparation
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Confirmation Preparation is a two year process beginning in the 7th grade.
Children prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation in their seventh and eighth grade years, and celebrate the sacrament during their ninth grade year. The exact date of the Confirmation ceremony is determined by the Diocese of Trenton, depending upon the schedule of the Bishop or his emissary. Traditionally, Confirmation atThe Parish of Saint Mary has been held on a late afternoon or early evening in mid to late October. To provide adequate seating for Confirmation candidates, their sponsors, and immediate family members, there may be more than one ceremony each Fall.
For more information, see the Confirmation Preparation page
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ON LINE LEARING PROCEDURES
When registering in the Religious Education program at the Parish of Saint Mary, each child is given an email address provided by the parish that will stay with them every year while in the program. This is for both in person and on line learners. Every classroom is set to go virtual at any time for any reason. (example: snow days)
Parents will be emailed all information prior to the start of both online line and in person learning.
Initial password will be set each term and par
If you have more than one child, each child will be issued their own email.
Parents will signed the virtual release form when registering their child every year.
-Religious Education OVERVIEW Update:Our Mission
As a Religious Education Program we, along with the assistance of so many dedicated certified teachers and volunteers, try to create and organize a program which is alive and loving. Our mission cannot succeed without the cooperation of you, the parents. As Vatican II expressed the wisdom of the ages:
“Since parents have given children life, they are bound by the most serious obligation to educate their offspring and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principal educators. This role is so important that only with difficulty can it be supplied when it is lacking…
It is particularly in the Christian family, enriched by the grace and office of the sacrament of matrimony, that children should be taught from their early years to have a knowledge of God according to the faith received in Baptism, to worship Him and love their neighbor.”
Families must be registered active parishioners. Copies of each student’s Baptismal certificate and record of previously completed Religious Education classes (if applicable) and sacraments must be received by the office when registering in our program for the first time.
Please be aware that children entering grades 2-8 in Sept must have completed and passed their previous Religious Education work before they can be registered for the next school year. Returning Student who do not have a copy of their Baptismal Certificate on file in the office WILL NOT be secured in a class.