Grades 1-6 Religious Education

Each of our grade programs includes classroom sessions and some work to be completed at home. General sessions are held a few times during the year to allow our students to come together and experience our faith as a group.

Regular attendence at Mass is the basis of establishing a life-long practice for your children and a gift to your family.  Attending the 9:30 Mass on Sunday during the school year affords the children an opportunity to hear the Children’s Liturgy of the Word.

Baptismal Records

Baptism is an essential first rite for your child before receiving any other sacraments. If you are new to the program, beyond Grade 2, or entering the First Communion Program, St. Mary’s must have a Certificate of Baptism on file for each child.

If your child was baptised at St. Mary’s we have your certificate, if not, please deliver or arrange for the delivery of your child’s documentation to the religious education office.

If necessary, please contact the rectory at 508-429-4427 to make arrangements for this sacrament and the sacrament of First Communion for older children.

Please continue to register your child for the appropriate class while you address this requirement with our staff.

First Communion Program

This is a two-year program, therefore if you are interested in registering your child as a Grade 2 student without having completed Grade 1 please continue to register your child and contact the religious ed office to arrange a meeting with Fran Crespi, our DRE.

Grade 1: First Communion Preparation: Year 1:

Students learn about God’s love for them, begin to learn formal prayers, and study Who Jesus Is with classroom activities to reinforce the lessons. Children witness a Baptism in the church as part of their curriculum.

Each Grade 1 class is assigned two teachers.

Classes meet twice a month on Sunday mornings.

Grade 2: First Communion Preparation: Year 2:

Having completed Grade 1 and now in this Sacramental year, the children learn first about God’s forgiveness in the Sacrament of Confession (Penance) and second about the Holy Eucharist.

Please note that parents with Grade 2 children are required to:

• • attend parent meetings,
  • participate with their children in the Inscription Mass, usually in November, and
  • attend the Grade 2 Family Retreat in the spring.

Classes meet on alternate Sundays or Wednesdays for seventy-five minutes.

Learn more here about the Sacrament of Holy Communion

Grade 3:

Students learn about the Catholic Church, review the seven Sacraments, learn about Mary and the Rosary, as well as God’s faith community.

There are special sessions on

• Ministries in the Church
• Making their own set of Rosary beads
• Participating in a children’s Stations of the Cross Devotion as well as a May Devotion.

Grade 3 is the first opportunity for students to join the Children’s Choir.

Classes meet on alternate Sundays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays for ninety minutes.

Grade 4:

Students focus on the Ten Commandments. They will learn how, as Christians, we are to obey and live by God’s Law of Love given to Moses.

Special Sessions include:

• A Grade 4 Tour of the Church
• A Christmas Happening with service projects
• Participation in the Stations of the Cross, and the May Devotion.

Grade 4 is the first opportunity for students to be trained as Altar Servers.

Classes meet on alternate Sundays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays for ninety minutes.

Grade 5:

Students focus on the Seven Sacraments.

Activities and Special Sessions include:

• Making Baptism Cards for children initiated into the Church
• Sponsoring the Healing Mass for the Anointing of the Sick
• Learning about Holy Orders
• Participating in the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday and the May Devotion.

Classes meet on alternate Sundays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays for ninety minutes.

Grade 6:

Students are provided a new Bible for their study in the Old Testament Scriptures.

The students engage in creating the Jesse Tree during the Advent season and may meet for other general sessions.

Classes meet on alternate Sundays or Tuesdays for ninety minutes.