Complete information about each level can be found under that each level tab.
Levels I and II – First Communion Preparation
Requirements
First Communion preparation is a two-year process that normally begins in first grade. During first grade, students will begin to learn about their faith, God, Jesus and the Church. During these years they begin learning traditional Catholic prayers like the Our Father and Hail Mary. Second grade begins the immediate preparation for the sacraments. The first half of the year the students will study and prepare for First Reconciliation. During this semester the students will learn about the 10 Commandments and what is sin, but most importantly they will continue to learn about God's love, mercy and forgiveness. The Sacrament is celebrated during regular confession times during Lent. . The second half of the year the students will turn their attention to the Mass, especially the Eucharist. Each part of the Mass will be studied allowing the students to begin to grasp the mystery that is the Blessed Sacrament. First Communion Masses are typically held in May.
Children who do not start or do not complete preparation in the First Grade will be integrated into the program based on age and general knowledge. For older children, additional sessions or Home Study may be required to prepare them for the Sacraments.
Instruction
Levels I & II must attend classroom instruction. Classroom instruction will be at the Parish Life Center, Sunday Mornings 8:30 – 9:45 approximately twice per month. Dismissal at 9:45 allows families to attend the 10:00 Mass.
Levels 3 – 6
Requirements:
Children in Levels three to five are typically in grades 3 to 6, but may be mixed depending on individual situations. Children will continue with a reinforcing of basic knowledge and prayers augmented by a deeper understanding of the Church as Communion, the Commandments, and the Sacraments.
Instruction:
Classroom instruction will be at the Parish Life Center, Sunday Mornings 8:30 – 9:45 approximately twice per month. Dismissal at 9:45 allows families to attend the 10:00 Mass.
Level 7
Instruction
Classroom instruction will be at the Parish Life Center, Sunday morning 11:00AM-12:30 PM approximately twice per month.
Requirements
The Parish Confirmation program is a two [2] year program of study and formation. The program typically begins with the level eight as Confirmation I and concludes with the level nine as Confirmation II. The candidate must attend the required classes. Confirmation I will meet on Sunday in the Parish Life Center. Confirmation II will meet on Sunday in the church basement. (Please see the Confirmation Tab for further information)
Regular Mass Attendance is part of the faith formation of every child.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Families need moments of rest and celebration, time for standing back and recognizing the gifts of God and how well they have developed, Pope Francis said.
Celebrations are times "to enjoy that which cannot be produced or consumed, that cannot be bought or sold," the pope said Aug. 12 at his weekly general audience.
Continuing his series of talks about the family in anticipation of the September celebration of the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia and the world Synod of Bishops on the family in October, Pope Francis said he would be looking at "the rhythm of family life," focusing first on celebrations, then on work and on prayer.
"Celebrations are God's invention," he said, pointing to the description in the Book of Genesis of how, after creating the world, God took a day of rest and contemplated all he had created.
Life becomes truly human when people take the time to do the same, the pope said. "A celebration is above all a loving and grateful gaze at work done well," whether it's a wedding celebration of a relationship that has matured or birthdays and graduations when people "look at their children or grandchildren who are growing and think, 'How beautiful.'"
The best parties are always those that gather families together, Pope Francis said. "Family life, seen with the eyes of faith, shows itself to be worth more than the effort it requires. It is a masterpiece of simplicity and is beautiful precisely because it is not artificial, not fake."
While not ignoring one's obligations at work, he said, it also is important to allow celebrations of birthdays, marriages, new births, welcomes or farewells "to infiltrate" the workplace. "They are moments of familiarity that throw a cog in the production line. It does us good."
Days of rest, especially Sunday celebrations of Mass and time with the family, are important reminders that every human being is made in the image and likeness of God and is not a "slave to work."
Unfortunately, he said, even in the modern world there are women and children who have been reduced to slave-like conditions. "This is against God and against the dignity of the human person!"
In other cases, the pope said, people have made themselves slaves to work, thinking the point of life is to earn a lot of money. Even when they celebrate, he said, they allow consumerism "to swallow" the party by thinking the more money they spend, the better the celebration will be.
"But is that why we work?" he asked. "Greed for consuming, which leads to waste, is a horrible virus that, among other things, leaves us more tired than we were before. It poisons real work and consumes our lives."
"Celebrations are a precious gift God has given the human family. Let's not ruin them," he said.
The most important celebration for a family, the pope said, is Sunday Mass, which brings people "the grace of Jesus Christ, his presence, his love, his sacrifice, his making us a community, his being with us."
When people bring their lives to Jesus in the Eucharist, the real meaning of life is revealed, Pope Francis said. "Work, family, our daily joys and efforts, even suffering and death -- all are transfigured by the grace of Christ."
Attendance is vital at all scheduled classes. Class time is limited, so please make every effort to see that your child arrives on time. Please call the office if your child will be absent. Children may make up work missed due to illness. Teachers will send home the lessons that were missed when the child returns to class. Parents should go over the lesson with the child and return it to the teacher as soon as possible.
Please pick your child up promptly at dismissal. If your child must be dismissed before the end of class, please come into the building and sign your child out at the attendance desk; children will not be allowed to wait outside while classes are in session.
Only a few parents meetings are scheduled each year. Please consider these meetings an integral part of your child’s faith formation and make every effort to attend.
OFFICE FOR CHILD PROTECTION
The Diocese of Fall River, in compliance with the Dallas Charter approved by the United States Catholic Bishops, has implemented an Abuse Prevention program for all clergy, lay ecclesial ministers, and employees. All adults, age 17 and older, who work with children must attend a training session, sign a Code of Conduct, and complete a criminal investigation background check. The CORI form and Code of Conduct form are completed each year.