Religious Ed and Sacramental Prep
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Religious Education Coordinator: Kellie Trudeau
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K-5 Religious Education & Sacramental preparation 2024-25
Sacramental Prep is a two-year program to prepare students for First Reconciliation, Confirmation, and First Communion to become fully-initiated into the church. Students are eligible to begin the program at second grade (age 7). As our parishes now follow the Restored Order for the sacraments, by the end of the first year, if ready, students will be confirmed by the Bishop. By the end of the second year, if ready, students receive First Communion.
This year the K-5 Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation classes will be starting the Walking with Jesus curriculum through Sophia Institute. Each class, including sacramental prep, begins a new cohort this fall. There will be a class for Pre-K through 1st grade, taught by Kellie Trudeau; a class for 4th and 5th graders (or anyone who has received all of their sacraments of initiation) taught by Kellie Tanner; and students aged 7 and up will be a part of the sacramental preparation class taught by Jesseca Jeanneret. This class will be preparing for First Reconciliation and Confirmation to be celebrated in Spring 2025, and will conclude with First Eucharist in Spring 2026.
Here’s a little about the Walking with Jesus curriculum: The Liturgical Calendar is a powerful way of understanding the mystery of Jesus Christ. So the entirety of this series — every grade — is structured around the Liturgical Year. Activities that Engage Students: Session plans include activities that engage all five senses. Unity with the Liturgical Year: Year-round alignment with the liturgical year in all grade levels ensures students are learning what the Church has to teach them! Clear and concise lessons: Short and straightforward session plans ensure any catechist can easily use them — even without teaching experience! Family engagement: Parent take-home lessons and activities engage the family with the liturgical year and ensures seamless connection between parish catechesis and family Faith life.
Faith Night begins Wednesday, Sept. 11 with a parish BBQ and orientation for all the opportunities for faith formation available at our weekly Faith Nights. Every Wednesday following dinner, from 6:30-7:30, PreK-5 students will meet in the classroom in the parish office, adults meet with Fr. Vincent in the parish hall, and 6-8 grade middle schoolers meet in the parish rectory for Edge Night. Contact Religious Ed Coordinator Kellie Trudeau for more information. -
EDGE (Middle school youth ministry)New for 2024-25!
Edge is Life Teen’s response to a growing need for middle school youth ministry. As adolescents, middle school youth are going through a time of immense change in their lives. They are starting to make decisions for themselves, beginning to act largely based on feedback from their peers, and becoming more independent from their parents. They are also in the midst of great uncertainty. Middle school teens are trying to figure out who they are and often struggle in their faith and beliefs. This makes middle school a vital time for youth to learn about and understand their faith. The Edge program was developed to minister to the needs of today’s middle school youth. Students in middle school have lots of questions about the world they live in, and this includes many questions about religion. They are too old to be treated the same way as a first, second, or third grader, but not quite mature enough to be treated like a high school teen or adult. In short, middle school teens are on the edge. They are trying to find where they belong in the world. And Edge is the perfect place for them to start looking. Edge is open to all 6-8 grade youth and will meet Wednesdays at 6:30 pm in St. Mary’s Rectory after the Faith Night meal, starting Sept. 11.