Religious Education Office Programs & Events

 

Baptism Class

            Baptism classes are held a few times each year.  These 2-hour classes are designed for parents who wish to have their babies and young children Baptized in the Catholic Church.  At the class parents participate in discussions about the Sacrament of Baptism, our Catholic beliefs, and each individual’s own spiritual journey and relationship with God.  By providing some information and establishing a relationship, the Religious Education Office aims to be a support to families from birth through childhood and beyond.

            There is no fee for attendance at a Baptism Class.  Any parents who wish to attend a class must contact the Religious Education Office to register.  Baptisms are celebrated at St. Brendan Church for families who are registered in the parish and after attendance at a Baptism Class.  See Other Dates for scheduled Baptism Classes.

 

 

Confirmation Preparation

            St. Brendan Church is in the process of switching from Confirming 2^nd grade candidates to 9^th grade candidates.  New Confirmation preparation plans are in being formulated by both the Religious Education Office and St. Brendan Parish Youth (SPY).  Contact Mary Madden in the Religious Education Office for more information.

 

 

First Eucharist

            First Eucharist is celebrated in the spring by the parish children who are participating in the Holy Family Program that school year.  First Eucharist is celebrated at the group mass or as an individual family at a weekend mass.  For more information see The Holy Family Program explanation.

 

 

First Reconciliation

            First Reconciliation is celebrated at the Holy Family Program Penance Service in November/December for the parish children who are participating in the Holy Family Program that school year.  All family members are encouraged to attend this Penance Service and celebrate the Sacrament of God’s loving forgiveness.  For more information see The Holy Family Program explanation.

 

 

The Holy Family Program

            The Holy Family Program begins each school year for all parish children who will celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist for the first time (2^nd graders; 3^rd and 4^th graders who have not yet celebrated these Sacraments also participate).  Families are contacted in August with Sacrament information for that school year. 

            Several Parent Sessions are held at the parish.  These sessions provide information about the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.  Materials and books are distributed to parents for use in the home.  Three weeks of In-Home Meetings are also attended by parents; parents are broken down into small groups and meet in one family’s home to have conversations (guided by discussion questions) about the 2 Sacraments their children will celebrate.  The Parent Sessions and In-Home Meetings help parents as they prepare their children for the Sacraments.

            All parents and children attend 2 retreats at the parish:  one in November for Reconciliation and one in March for Eucharist.  First Reconciliation is celebrated in November/December and First Eucharist is celebrated in the spring.

            A $35 materials/book fee is collected at the first Parent Session, and a $5 banner supply donation is collected at the Eucharist Retreat.  Families must be registered members of St. Brendan Church to participate in the Holy Family Program; all children who will celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist must participate in the Holy Family Program.

            A list of scheduled events and meetings are found under Holy Family Dates.

 

 

The Parish School of Religion (PSR)

            The Parish School of Religion (PSR) is a religious education program for students who attend a city, or public, school.  PSR classes are held 2 times each week for students in grades 1-8:  Sunday mornings from 11:05-11:55am and Monday evenings from 7-8:10pm.  Classes are held in the school building.  PSR classes are possible because of the large volunteer staff of teachers, classroom aides, substitute teachers, hallway and office volunteers (all volunteers working with children comply with the diocesan guidelines for child safety [VIRTUS]).  More volunteers are always needed and are always welcome!

            PSR registration begins the end of July and continues throughout the school year.  The PSR fee is $75 per child/$225 maximum per family; a payment plan is available and offered to all families.  Scholarships are also available.

            A list of this year’s class dates are found under PSR Dates.

 

 

 

Supported Parish Programs and Events

 

Generations of Faith

            Three times each year, St. Brendan offers Generations of Faith, an intergenerational religious education experience.  Sessions for people from Pre-Kindergarten to 99+ are held at the parish.  Each session with its theme, activities, breakout sessions, prayers, and home kits are designed by the Generations of Faith Design Team (comprised of the chairs of the more than 10 committees responsible for all aspects of Generations of Faith).  Sessions address all different topics about Catholic teachings.  PSR classes are not held the weeks of Generations of Faith sessions to allow families the ability to participate.

            The cost (which covers the meal, materials and presenters, and home kits) for the sessions which take place in October, February, and April each year is $7 per person/$20 family maximum.  Scholarships are available.

            The committees are always looking for more volunteers.  If you are interested in serving on any of the following committees contact Mary Madden:  physical arrangements, environment/decorations, food, prayer/focus, adult faith formation, teen faith formation, child faith formation, events, home kits, publicity, and registration/hospitality.

            See Other Dates for scheduled Generations of Faith sessions.

 

 

Keepin’ the Faith

            Keepin’ the Faith is a religious education opportunity for students in grades 9-12.  The group meets Monday evenings from 7-8:10pm in the school building.  Registration is not required.  Keepin’ the Faith is organized and run by the St. Brendan Parish Youth, SPY.   Contact Ken Marquard, St. Brendan Youth Minister, at (440)777-7222 ext. 14 or kenmarquard@yahoo.com for more information.  See the Monday evening PSR Dates for the Keepin’ the Faith schedule.

 

 

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

            The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, RCIA, is the process in which adults are initiated into the Catholic Church.  Adults who have never been baptized or were baptized in a different faith who wish to become Catholic attend weekly gatherings with the RCIA team.  These weekly gatherings provide the opportunity to inquire about joining the Catholic Church, receive instruction on Catholic beliefs, and share the journey of faith with others.  RCIA meets Tuesday evenings at 7:30pm in the school building.  For more information contact Barb Lester at (440)777-7222 ext. 15.

 

 

St. Brendan School Liturgical Focus and Grade Level Retreats

            The Religious Education Office staff work closely with the faculty and staff of St. Brendan School in the areas of religious education.  Each liturgical season a theme with class and home activities are decided on and created for all St. Brendan School and PSR students.  This allows each student and each family to celebrate the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Triduum, Easter, and Ordinary Time together.  Contact Mary Madden or Julie Onacila, St. Brendan School Principal [at (440)777-8433] for more information.

            The Religious Education Office staff also work with each grade level teacher as they plan and celebrate a class retreat each year.  For information about a grade level retreat contact the specific teacher or Mary Madden.