Traditional Religious Education Program
Religious education classes for children in grades 1 through 10 are available Tuesday evenings in the Parish Hall. Classes start promptly at 6:30 pm and end promptly at 7:30 pm. Parents are invited to stay in the hall at their convenience during class time. The 9th and 10th grade years are focused on preparation for and reception of Confirmation. Our pastor, Father Joseph Allen, OP, is present throughout each session and leads opening and closing prayers for the children.
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.
Please contact the parish secretary at (203) 562-6193, ext. 101 with any questions. If necessary, she will make a referral.
For the religious education enrollment form, click here.
St. Mary's also offers the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, a Montessori-based approach to the faith formation of children that welcomes children starting at age 3. For more information on this program, see the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd page of this site.
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.
Please contact the parish secretary at (203) 562-6193, ext. 101 with any questions. If necessary, she will make a referral.
For the religious education enrollment form, click here.
St. Mary's also offers the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, a Montessori-based approach to the faith formation of children that welcomes children starting at age 3. For more information on this program, see the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd page of this site.
First Confession and 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, contact the parish secretary.
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, contact the parish secretary.
