Religious Education

Mission Statement

Religious Education is a lifelong process by which we may come to know, love, and serve the Lord as true disciples of the faith through the teachings of Jesus Christ, Sacred Scripture, Church Doctrine, the Sacraments, and life experiences.

The objectives of our program are: to create a safe environment of prayer and learning in order to provide educational and faith experiences, to build and promote a welcoming community within the church and to support and encourage each parish member to become a active participant in the Mystical Body of Christ.

Registration

Registration for fall classes begins the previous spring of each catechetical year. New students are welcome any time and are required to submit a copy of their baptismal certificate (unless they were baptized at St. Thomas the Apostle).

The registration fee is $40.00 for one child, $75.00 for two children, and $100.00 maximum for a family. Anyone who finds the fees a hardship should speak to the Director. This information will be held confidential and we will assist you in working out a solution.

***Late fee of $20.00 will be imposed for any returning registration after September 15th

Class Schedule

Grades one through five (B/C) meet on Wednesday afternoons from 2:30-3:30p.m. Grades five (A) through eight meet in three six-week sessions on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00p.m.

All classes are held in the school Children gather in the gym and are dismissed from the gym.

Classes begin the first week in October.

Sacramental Preparation

The preparation for the sacraments of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation is a two-year period. It usually begins in first grade. The child is expected to attend Mass and catechetical classes on a regular basis. The celebration and reception of Reconciliation proceeds Eucharist.

Parents are expected to attend all meetings and activities related to their child(ren)'s preparation.

Other Programs

Confirmation preparation is a two-year process that usually begins in high school. They meet on Sunday evenings which includes attendance at the five o'clock Mass. For more information, please contact Chris Haddad.

Little Lambs is for preschoolers and kindergarten age children. They gather together weekly during the 10:30 Mass. Registration begins in September. For more information, please contact Ann Henderson.

Youth Choir usually meets on Wednesday afternoons at 3:30p.m. in the church. For more information, please contact Martin Smith, our music director.

Youth Group begins in high school. They usually meet following the confirmation classes. Contact Chris Haddad for more information.

RCIA - Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is for those who are seeking full communion into the Catholic Church. A process for adults who have never been baptized, those who wish to convert to Catholicism and those baptized Catholic but have not received the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. For more information, please contact the Director of Religious Education.

Baptisms are held on Sundays at 12 noon following the 10:30 Mass except for the last Sunday of the month.

Baptismal Preparation is for first time parents. It is a meeting that includes the parents and godparents prior to baptism.

Contact Information

For more information, please contact the Director of Religious Education at 523-4209 or stareligioused@comcast.net.

Further Information