Preparation for First Communion Grs. 1 & 2

Preparation for First Communion is a two-year process, beginning in First Grade.

Recognizing that parents are the primary teacher in the ways of faith, students in the First Grade are taught primarily at home by their parents but they will attend class 3 - 4 times during the year in the Parish Hall. Students and their parents are given the text Blest Are We at the parent orientation meeting. Unit reviews will be completed and submitted to the Religious Education Office. Each child is responsible to learn the Sign of the Cross, Our Father and Hail Mary. First graders will meet in May to be tested on their knowledge of these prayers prior to moving onto Second Grade.

The focus of the Second Grade year is the study of the Sacraments, as well as preparing students for the reception of the Holy Eucharist and Reconciliation. Students will see God as a forgiving Father, Jesus as one who gives them the gift of Him and the Holy Spirit as one who calls them to service. They will extend their understanding of the Catholic Church as their home. Second Grade students take part in many fun activities during the year, including, Prayer Buddies, Crowning of the Blessed Mother during the May procession and a Communion Retreat. Second graders will be required to know the Our Father, Hail Mary, Sign of the Cross, Prayer of Sorrow and Glory Be in order to receive the sacraments.

Religious Education Grs. 3 - 7

The focus of the Third Grade is the Church. The study of the Apostle's Creed familiarizes the children marks of the Catholic Church and other beliefs held by Catholics. It also invites them to grow as believers themselves. The study of morality builds on previously established groundwork. It leads the children from the Ten Commandments to Jesus' law of love and the Beatitudes as guides to live by. An understanding of the text, Blest Are We will be reinforced through the lessons, crafts, community service projects and the third grade Christmas Pageant.

In Grade Four, the students focus on a study of morality. This is accomplished through the study of the Ten Commandments. Throughout the text, Blest Are We, moral values are fostered by a look at the lives of people how have exemplified them. The students see God as merciful and always ready to forgive. They see Jesus as the example of Christian life and love, and they see the Holy Spirit as our helpers and our guide in times of temptation. Finally, the students study the Church as light and servant to the world.

During the Fifth Grade year, students focus on the Sacraments and the Saints. We will accomplish this by not only studying the seven Sacraments, but also by learning how they affect and strengthen our faith and lives.

Sixth Grade is the year in which students focus on the study of the Bible, and in particular, the Old Testament. Students will not only study Bible stories and passages, but will also study how they affect and strengthen our faith and lives.  Students will be required to purchase a Good News Bible, if they do not already have one. This Bible will be used through Confirmation.

Grade Seven is the continuation of the study of the Bible, in particular the New Testament. As in the previous year, students will study Bible stories and passages as well as how the stories and passages affect and strengthen our lives and faith. During this year, students will also begin to accumulate community service hours that are needed to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in Grade 10.

Preparation for Confirmation Grs 8, 9 & 10

The focus of Grade Eight is a comprehensive overview of our Catholic beliefs, including the Sacraments, 10 Commandments, Beatitudes and history of the Church. Students will continue to reinforce the foundations of their Catholic beliefs as the students prepare themselves to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the next 2 years. The students will continue to participate in community service hours to fulfill their Confirmation requirements.

In Grade 9, students will prepare for the reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation and will learn the importance of the Holy Spirit in their lives as they become an adult member of the Catholic Church. Students will sign their confirmation covenant. In addition, the students will continue to participate in Community Service to fulfill their confirmation requirement of 20 hours.

Students in Grade 10 will complete the preparation and understanding of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students will receive Penance and attend a Confirmation retreat. The year will end with the students receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation at a date to be determined by the Chancery.