2026-2027
FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS
*St. Junipero Serra’s Faith Formation program is offering the following classes next year
● Faith and Family Catechesis (parents will attend with their Gr. K – 4 children)
● Primary Sacrament Workshops of Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Grs. 2&3)
● Individual Classes for ( Grs. 5–7 )
● Confirmation Classes for Grades 8th&9th (in transition)
● OCIA Teen Cohort – Grs. 5-12 (students who need to catch up with sacraments)
Please read through this entire letter as this year, we have made some changes to our program.
In keeping with last year, all of our program sessions Grades K-9 will have at least half of their classes / morning classes begin with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass ending with a catechesis class. Families are of course encouraged to attend Mass every Sunday.
We hope to instill a fire and love for the Holy Mass and Eucharist, as well as build up our Church and families by fellowship, and learning together..
CCC1324 The Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” “The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch.”
We know that the goal of catechesis is not just to learn about Jesus, but to meet him in the Eucharist, and the other Sacraments and then go forth to our homes, and neighborhoods, and bring His light into the world.
The parents are the primary teachers. Our faith formation lessons are meant to enhance or add to what the parents will be teaching. Parents can utilize these projects, prayers, and at home practice which will be suggested at each class along with pertinent handouts and suggested family engagement. Our lessons will highlight the importance and teaching of frequent reception of the Sacraments.
__________________________________________________________________________
Faith and Family Catechesis (Formally called WPC) Grades K-4
Begins with Sunday Mass at Saint Margaret Mary 11 a.m. – followed by a snack and refreshment – then catechesis with students and parents.
We offer Faith and Family Catechesis for Families with a Gr. K – 4, focus.
There are five monthly workshops a year for Faith and Family Catechesis, unless your child is making a sacrament. If your child is making his/her first Reconciliation or first Holy Communion then the four additional workshops listed below will be part of their program for the year, bringing classes to a total of nine for your child.
*Classes meet at St. Margaret Mary Church Hall (Visit our website for updates and the calendar saintjuniperoserra.org; – Faith Formation Tab
_________________________________________________________________________
Primary Sacramental Classes
(First Reconciliation is (usually in Gr. 2) and First Eucharist is (usually in Gr. 3)
Preparation consists of a mandatory Parent Meeting, Aug 31th at 7pm. and four different workshops for each sacrament. These workshops will take place at St. Margaret Mary Church Hall. Parents are the primary sacramental teachers for their child and the sacramental books will be passed out at the parent meeting in August.
The Workshops will emphasize and enhance what the parents have already taught their child. Each workshop is tailored to make sure that your child understands the beautiful reality of the sacrament that they are receiving.
First Reconciliation is usually at the end of March and First Eucharist, is usually at the end of April or in early May. Any parents or parishioners wishing to lead small groups as volunteers for this program may email FaithFormation@sjs-sw.org
We encourage families to begin now, praying together, The Our Father, The Hail Mary, and The Glory Be. Prayer is an important part of our relationship with Jesus and the children will need to know their prayers in order to receive the sacraments.
_________________________________________________________________________
Grades 5-7 Classes
All children in Grs. 5-7 should register for classes at their particular grade level.
Grades 5 and 6 will meet together and 7th graders will have their own separate class. Each class will be 90 minutes, about twice a month. Students will be participating at 11:00 am Mass as well.
Grs. 5 – 7 will study using the following books; UCAT, understanding of Church Teaching for middle school students; Alteration – more in-depth study of the mystery of Mass; Encounter, the Bible timeline for middle school program.
_________________________________________________________________________
Confirmation Program
We are continuing to transition to the Archdiocese plan for 8th grade Confirmation. This year we will have a fall 2026 Confirmation for our 10th graders and a spring 2027 Confirmation for our 9th Graders. Our current 8th graders will be Confirmed Fall 2027.
Confirmation classes are usually twice a month: once in the morning beginning at 9 a.m Mass at Saint Francis – ending at 11:30 a.m. and once in the evening at St. Francis Church Hall from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
The Grade 8 Confirmation Class (Fall 2027 Confirmation) will use the CHOSEN, Your Journey to Confirmation book and are required to do a total of 15 service hours and 5 Faith Hours before their Confirmation in the fall.
The Grade 9 Confirmation Class (Spring 2027 Confirmation) will continue using their CHOSEN, Your Journey to Confirmation book and are required to do a total of 10 service hours and 5 Faith Hours before their Confirmation in the spring.
The Grade 10 Confirmation Class (Fall 2026 Confirmation) – Do not need to register again.
* Please visit our website for a more detailed breakdown of the requirements for the Confirmation program per grade.
*Any parent wishing to be a small group leader can email FaithFormation@sjs-sw.org or ConfirmationCoordinatorSJS@gmail.com
________________________________________________________________________
Volunteers
Volunteers who are not already Virtus certified are required to attend a Virtus course and follow other requirements. This includes anyone planning on assisting at Reconciliation/ Eucharist workshops, Grs.5 – 9 classes, or summer bible school. E-mail the Faith Formation office for more information on how to prepare to be a volunteer. We are so grateful for your gift of generous time and talents!
Positions available – Hall Monitors, help with food and clean- up, and table leaders.
________________________________________________________________________
Registration Fees
* Note that there are five different registration forms:
- Faith & Family K- 4
- Grs. 5th and 6th grade classes
- 7th grade class
- Confirmation students in grades 8th & 9th
- OCIA Teen Cohort (making up Sacraments after 5th grade) –
*Some families will need to complete multiple forms. (online registration is now available)
Faith and Family- Grades 1-4
$90 (for a family with one child)
$110 (for a family with two or more children)
$30 Sacramental fee, only for children who are making their primary sacraments (this covers materials provided during their four sacramental workshops.
Gr. 5th&6th, and 7th grade classes
$75 Registration Fee
*The fees for Grs. 5 – 7 classes include book costs and access to online videos
Gr. 8 Confirm fall 2027– Gr. 9 Confirm spring 2027
$85 Registration Fee
$25 + Retreat fee = $110
Order of Christian initiation for Adults-OCIA Programs for adults and teen Cohort
If you are new to joining the church, or baptized and have a desire for the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or the Eucharist or If you are a fully initiated Catholic desiring to nurture your faith or if you have never been baptized and would like to be received into the Catholic Church, please contact the Faith Formation office. We would truly love to hear from you!
________________________________________________________________________
Faith & Fun : Monthly Youth Ministry Events
All Upper Grades of 5th – 12th are invited to our monthly youth ministry events.
All events are free and incorporate faith with fellowship and fun!
________________________________________________________________________
No child will be denied a religious education if the family cannot pay some or all, the parents are simply asked to speak with the pastor about this. Families are not expected to pay more than $200 per family. If you have multiple children and expect that the fees will be over $200 please contact the office.
With God’s grace this plan will be carried out for the duration of the year. But we reserve the flexibility to change it as necessary.
Thank you,
Rev. Martin Rooney, M.S.A., Pastor
Anton Miranda, Director
Faith Formation Office
Saint Junipero Serra Parish
80 Hayes Rd, South Windsor, CT 06074
860.644.2411 ext 106