Family Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation Registration 2025-2026
Welcome to our new and returning families!
And thank you for visiting the St. Mary’s Faith Formation and Sacramental Preparation Registration page. Please read the following information before filling out the registration form or using the payment links.
Our Family Faith Formation program is designed for those families whose children are age 3 through Grade 7 and are not enrolled in Catholic school. Please note, however, that our second-grade Catholic School students and their parents; our second-grade, home-schooled Catholic students and their parents; as well as the second graders in the Family Faith Formation program and their parents are expected to attend the First Sacraments program (15 preparation classes for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist) which will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 till 7:30pm beginning on January 6, 2026.
As is true of all our Faith Formation programs for children, there is a mandatory parental component. Parents are the first and primary catechists of their children, and we are here to support that. That is why both parents and children MUST attend our sessions. Children are not allowed to be dropped off alone.
We look forward to your participation in our excellent Family Faith Formation program featuring two catechists per class, assisted by junior catechists from our parish youth group and confirmation class. This year, with the goal of developing even better evangelists and catechists, all of our catechists are participating in a certification program—the John A. Hardon Basic Catholic Catechism Course—designed not only to enhance their knowledge of the Catholic Faith and the basic truths so critical to our eternal salvation, but also to inspire them to be true disciples who strive to live holy Catholic lives that are pleasing to God. This is totally in keeping with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops who clearly state: “Catechists need to be practicing Catholics who participate fully in the communal worship and life of the Church and who have been prepared for their apostolate by appropriate catechetical teaching.”
Sunday Family Faith Formation Program
For the 2025-2026 academic year, Family Faith Formation will be offered on Sundays from 10:15 -11:45am beginning on September 14. A light continental breakfast will be available beginning at 10:15. Your children will proceed with their catechists to their respective classrooms in the school at approximately 10:40 and will be returned to you at 11:45. Parent formation will take place in Fatima Hall on the 2nd through 5th Sundays of the month, but in the school cafeteria the first Sunday of the month.
Please register* all your children (not those in Catholic school) in grades K to 7 for the dynamic Word of Life program, produced collaboratively by The Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press. To register your child for our new preschool program (pre-K 3 and 4), Pflaum Publishing Group’s Seeds, please be aware that your child must be 3 by September 1, 2025, and be completely potty-trained prior to enrollment.
First Holy Communion and Reconciliation
As mentioned above, an additional 15 preparation classes for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist will be held on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 till 7:30pm beginning on January 6, 2026. These classes must be attended by both our home-schooled and second-grade Catholic School students and their parents as well as the second graders in the Family Faith Formation program and their parents.
Once again, we will use the Signs of Grace program by the Augustine Institute. Signs of Grace is the only comprehensive sacramental preparation program for children which includes a thorough family faith formation component that includes the parents. Therefore, both the parent and child must attend these sessions. Please see the calendar for all class dates.
First Reconciliation Resources
For the children: Signs of Grace: You are Forgiven program prepares children to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation by revealing the richness of God’s mercy.
For the adults: Forgiven: The Transforming Power of Confession, explores the grace and healing offered in Confession and shows how this sacrament reveals the depth of God’s love. By looking at God’s revelation of his mercy in Scripture and a step-by-step review of the Rite itself, Forgiven communicates God’s invitation to experience his indescribable love in this beautiful and powerful sacrament.
First Eucharist Resources
For the children: Signs of Grace: You are Loved prepares children to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion by revealing God’s intimate love for us.
For the adults: Presence: The Mystery of the Eucharist explores the truth and beauty of Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist, from its origins in Sacred Scripture, to its profound role in our lives and the life of the Church.
Questions about Family Faith Formation or First Sacraments?
Contact Jeri Prokop at jprokop@saintmarysonline.org.
Confirmation
For Confirmation-related questions, please contact Stephanie Lyons at slyons@saintmarysonline.org
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*Families who need assistance with the registration fee, please contact Jeri Prokop.