St. Mary’s Religious Education program provides faith formation for students in Kindergarten through grade 9. The program is administered by the director of religious education, who works with the catechists. Classes begin in early September and end in mid-May. All grades meet on Sundays from 9:45am to 11:15am. Regular attendance at class is required. At all levels, there is a strong focus on scripture and prayer in addition to the basics of our Catholic tradition.

• Preparation for the Sacrament of Reconciliation is an on-going process that begins when a child enters our Religious Education program. Each year our hope is to guide the child to deeper understanding and appreciation of this sacrament. Parents are very much a part of the preparation and parent meetings are held. The formal reception of this sacrament takes place, usually in the month of February, when the child is in the second grade.

• Preparation for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion is also a continuous process that begins when a child enters our Religious Education program. Parents are required to attend a mandatory meeting in regards to First Communion. First Communion is usually celebrated in second grade as a class at the end of May or the beginning of June.

• Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation begins in the 5th grade. Students receive the sacrament in the fall of ninth grade.

For additional information on First Reconciliation, First Communion, or Confirmation, please contact Teresa Lothian, the Director of Religious Education.

The Catechetical Office for the Archdiocese has a very informative website:
http://www.nyfaithformation.org/

Calendars and other documents are available by clicking on the links below.