Religious Education for Children and Adults

Religious Education classes for all ages, including adults are held once a week during the year from September through May.  For more information read the descriptions below or contact the parish staff.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION REGISTRATION FORMS (2018-2019)
Download the appropriate registration forms, complete them, and return them to the parish staff. 
  • Religious Education (formerly CCD) 1st - 8th Grade: PDF
  • Confirmation Preparation Program for 9th - 10th Grade: PDF
  • Atrium/Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Register online on the Atrium page. ​For the 2018-2019 academic year, Michael West will be the atrium coordinator. For more information see the Atrium page or contact him at atrium.st.marys@gmail.com.

Religious Education Programs for First Confession, First Communion, and Confirmation

Traditional Religious Education Program at St. Mary's Church

Our program offers instruction for children from Grade 1 through Confirmation in the high-school years (typically Grade 10). Following the teachings of the Catholic Church, it offers a curriculum that draws upon the “Faith and Life” series published by Ignatius Press, as well as other materials, especially the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible. Classes are held on a weekday evening in the Parish Hall beginning in early fall and ending at Pentecost. The program also includes various liturgical and social events. 

Classes start in mid-September and are completed at the end of April/beginning of May. The final phase ends with the reception of First Holy Communion and the May crowning of the Blessed Mother by a first communicant.

St. Mary's offers special classes for those children who have been baptized or are awaiting baptism outside the usual time frame, and for those who have not received the sacraments of Penance or Holy Communion in the usual time frame.  

For more information, a referral, or to receive a registration form, contact the parish staff.
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Traditional Religious Education Program at St. Joseph's Church

Religious Education classes are offered for children in grades 1 through 10 (including preparation for First Communion and Confirmation). Dates for classes to be announced. To register your children, or if you wish to help in any way, contact the St. Joseph's office at (203)-777-2548 or st.josephnh@att.net.
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Religious Formation Program at St. Mary's Church

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a highly acclaimed approach to the religious formation of children, rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the Church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an “atrium,” a room prepared for them which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use to ponder the story of Christ and the life of the Church. Elements of the Mass, a topographical map of the Land of Israel and a timeline for the History of the Kingdom of God are just a few of the experiences the children encounter in an atrium that serves children ages 3 to 6, 6 to 9, and 9 to 12. 

For more information about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, see the program's homepage: http://www.cgsusa.org/.

To find out more about the program at St. Mary parish or to request a registration form, visit the Atrium page.

First Confession & First Holy Communion

Confession and first Communion preparation is open to children of all ages; however, typically for children in first and second grades. Children are to be enrolled in religious education classes the year prior to the year of sacramental reception as a norm. For example, if a child is to celebrate the Eucharist in second grade they are to be enrolled in first grade the year prior. For more information, or to receive a registration form, please contact the parish staff. 

Confirmation Preparation

Students in the 9th and 10th grades attend the two-year Confirmation program. Candidates are to be enrolled in religious education classes the year prior to the year of sacramental reception as a norm. For more information, please contact the parish staff.

Thinking of Becoming Roman Catholic? Participate in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA)

You are invited to find out more about the Roman Catholic Church by participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). The RCIA provides doctrinal and spiritual formation for those desiring to enter the Catholic Church. Through prayer, study, and discipleship, it allows each person to learn more about their journey of faith and leads to full participation in the Roman Catholic Church through the celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter. For more information contact our Pastor at (203) 562-6193, Ext. 247 (Rev. Joseph P. Allen, OP).