FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At what age can my child begin Faith Formation Classes?
We offer classes for all grade levels from Kindergarten through High School.
Does the Kinder class count toward the two year Communion preparation?
No, the Kinder class is offered for families wishing to provide their children an early, basic foundation of faith formation. It is entirely optional and part of our systematic (grade level) catechesis. It does not count toward the two-year requirement for Communion prep.
What days are classes offered?
Classes continue to be offered on Sunday mornings for KINDER through HIGH SCHOOL though the times have been pushed back ten minutes later (10:40 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.). We are also advertising classes on Wednesdays afternoons (4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. ) for FIRST through FIFTH grades. We hope this might prove more convenient for some families. We will move ahead with these classes provided enough students sign up. You must select your preferred session at the time of enrollment.
If I have an emergency, can my child “make up” a missed class on the other day of classes?
Make-ups are NOT allowed on the alternate date of classes. Parents help their children make up a class by teaching the lesson using the home lesson guide and administering an “Interactive Chapter Review” online.
How many absences are permitted?
Attendance at grade level classes are not required, only mastery of content. We even offer a home school option for grade level classes, so there is no limit to the number of absences. The text books have supplemental parent lessons to use to teach the Faith to their child when they do not attend classes. However, it is the responsibility of the parent to administer the appropriate “Interactive Chapter Review” online and forward the results. In addition, master of content must be demonstrated by written test upon the return from a period of absence or at appropriately designated times.
Sacramental Preparation programs are administered via workshops separate from grade level classes. These workshops require attendance and may not be missed.
Excess absences and/or lack of knowledge may require that a grade level be repeated, and reception of a Sacrament be delayed.
When will my child celebrate his/her First Reconciliation (Confession/Penance)?
We’ve moved First Reconciliation (also know as Confession or Penance) to fall at the end of the first year of preparation for First Communion. The formal two-year preparation for First Communion may begin as early as 1st grade, which means students may receive this Sacrament at the end of their 1st grade year. However, we have students preparing for First Reconciliation in all grade levels. It is never “too late” to prepare for and receive the Sacraments!
When will my child celebrate his/her First Holy Communion?
First Communions are celebrated in the Spring of the second year of formation for students who are in 2nd grade or above. The formal two-year preparation for First Communion may begin as early as 1st grade. However, we have students preparing for First Communion in all grade levels. It is never “too late” to prepare for and receive the Sacraments!
After my child receives his/her Communion, do we just wait until 7th grade to return for Confirmation prep?
As part of our systematic (grade level) catechesis, we offer classes for ALL grade levels from Kinder through High School. Though sadly many of our First Communion students do not return for ongoing faith formation in their post-Communion years, we always encourage families to maintain enrollment in the regular grade level classes after First Communion. The Faith Formation program aims to “fill the gap” of Catholic religion classes that students are not receiving at private-non-Catholic schools or public/charter schools.
When will my child celebrate his/her Confirmation?
Confirmation is celebrated in the Spring of the second catechetical year of formation for students who are in 8th grade or above. The formal two-year preparation for Confirmation may begin as early as 7th grade for those students consistently enrolled in our program. Those 7th graders who register for our program for the first time or are returning after an absence will take a pre-test. If they pass the pre-test (score a 60% or higher) they will be placed in the Confirmation Year 1 Class and will be on track to receive their Confirmation at the end of their 8th grade year. Otherwise they will be placed in our Pre-Confirmation class and will be eligible to begin the Confirmation Year 1 Class the following year.
What is the Confirmation Pre-Test?
The Archdiocese requires a child receive at least two years of preparation to receive a Sacrament of Initiation. This includes the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our presumption is that after receiving their First Holy Communion, students continue to attend Mass, live a Sacramental life and grow in knowledge of the faith whether they enroll in our grade level classes or not. This presumption implies a basic level of prior knowledge prior to preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Therefore, to determine whether a students has a sufficient level of prior knowledge we administer a pre-test to those 7th graders who register for our program for the first time or are returning after an absence. The pre-test is 50 multiple choice questions. Those students who pass the pre-test (score a 60% or higher) will be placed in the Confirmation Year 1 Class and will be on track to receive their Confirmation at the end of their 8th grade year. Otherwise they will be placed in our Pre-Confirmation class and will be eligible to begin the Confirmation Year 1 Class the following year.
My child isn’t Baptized. Can I still enroll him/her in classes?
Children 6 years old and under may be baptized right away and arrangements can be made at the parish office. Once a child turns 7, the “age of reason,” Baptism cannot be celebrated apart from the other Sacraments of Initiation (Eucharist, Confirmation). As such, non-Baptized children ages 7 and up would prepare to receive all 3 Sacraments together, typically at the Easter Vigil of the third year of faith formation classes.