Maggie Martin / Sinde Baires
(631) 234-4040 office / (631) 974-0351 text / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
PROGRAM DESIGN
Our Religious Education Program is designed to meet the needs of every child, with or without previous catechesis. We provide faith formation to children aged from 6 through 16 who are enrolled in public schools. Since many children enter our program at different ages, students are placed in levels rather than grades. Following the recommended guidelines of our Diocesan Office of Faith Formation, we offer a 7-year program. After 2 years of preparation, children receive the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion. Children continue to grow in faith for an additional 3 years of instruction before entering a 2-year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Children generally receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the spring of their 8th grade. It is recommended that the children continue their formal religious studies and receive the sacraments at the appropriate ages. Skipping years inevitably delays a child’s process.
Preparing to Receive the Sacraments
BAPTISM
Children who enter our program unbaptized will receive the Sacrament of Baptism during their first year of instruction. After baptism, the children will continue to prepare for Reconciliation and the remaining two Sacraments of Initiation (First Holy Communion and Confirmation).
FIRST PENANCE & FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Our program prepares children for two years before they receive the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion. During the two years, children must be enrolled in a classroom setting. Prayer services, Masses and parent meetings are scheduled to enhance the preparation process; parents are advised to mark their calendars and make every effort to attend, since their involvement in the process is key to the children’s proper preparation. Our First Holy Communion ceremonies take place in May.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is also a two year preparation program, Confirmation Levels I & II. The age of the children in our Confirmation program varies depending on prior religious instruction the child has had before enrollment in our program. In general, children are entered in the Confirmation program in 7th and 8th grade and receive the Sacrament in the spring of their 8th grade. Confirmation Level I (level 7) students are required attend class and Mass regularly. They’re also expected to do well on their Confirmation Assessment which is used as a tool to assess their knowledge and readiness to receive the sacrament. In addition, they must complete all of their work assignments in order for them to move up to level II of
preparation. Confirmation Level II (level 8) students are required to attend class and Sunday Mass regularly and complete all of their assignments. In addition, they must attend the Confirmation Retreat and all meetings for Confirmation Candidates and their parents or sponsors that take place in the weeks prior to receiving the Sacrament.
Catechists
Our catechists are faith-filled persons from all walks of life. Many of them are parents with children enrolled in our program. They have opened their hearts to share their faith with the children of St. John of God Parish. If you wish to volunteer to be a catechist in our program at any time during the year, please contact the Religious Education Office for details.
Classes
All program classes begin and end in the Chapel. Classes are held in Our Lady of Guadalupe School. Our sessions for all instructional levels run from late September to April and meet as follows:
Monday: Level 8 Confirmation 4:00 – 5:00pm / 6:00 – 7:00pm
Wednesday: Levels 1 – 7 4:45 – 6:00pm
Saturday: Levels 1 – 7 8:45 – 10:00am / 10:30 – 11:45am