Tri-Parish Religious Education Department
Hello tri-parish families!
We’d like to take this opportunity to share information about the religious education offerings we provide to kids and families at St. Mary, St. Peter, and Resurrection parishes. You as parents, grandparents, godparents, friends, and neighbors are so important in leading our children into an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and becoming lifelong practicing Catholics! Please know that we are here to support you in teaching our children about the Catholic faith.
Parish School of Religion Program (PSR)
As you know, sacraments are the bedrock of our Catholic faith. Therefore, preparing our children to receive the sacraments is a vital aspect of their faith formation and spiritual lives. Per Diocesan policy, children must be enrolled in and regularly attending a Catholic school, PSR program, or pre-approved homeschool program the year prior to and the year in which the sacrament is received. We provide PSR classes at all three parishes to youth from kindergarten through 8th grade, and registration is now open for the 2024-2025 school year. Classes begin September 8 and are held weekly on Sundays. High school catechesis classes are held weekly at Resurrection Parish after the Sunday 9:00 am Mass, and the tri-parish youth group will meet twice a month on Sunday evenings.
Sacramental Preparation
In addition to PSR, we provide tri-parish sacramental classes and retreats which are required for all youth receiving the sacraments as well as their families. First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion are typically received in 2nd grade, and Confirmation is received in 8th grade. Sign-ups for our tri-parish sacramental programs open soon. More information to come in the bulletin.
OCIC
Traditionally, the Catholic Church baptizes children as infants. However, children over the age of seven not yet baptized need to participate in an OCIA process for children called OCIC. This is a specialized program completely separate from our religious education and regular sacramental preparation programs. In this case, the child, when ready, would receive all three sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and First Holy Eucharist) at an Easter Vigil Mass.
In closing, we thank you for your role in passing on the Catholic faith to our children and ask that you share this information with friends and family members who may be interested. Watch the parish bulletins for more information in the coming weeks and if you have any questions about your child’s faith formation or would like to find out how you can get involved in this important ministry, please contact us.
Yours in Christ,
Kayla Truax, Cheryl Young & Kate Rossman