Faith Formation

2025-2026  FAITH FORMATION PROGRAMS 

*St. Junipero Serra’s Faith Formation program is offering the following classes next year

• Whole Parish Catechesis (parents will attend with their Gr. K – 4 children)
• Individual Classes for our Grs. 5–7 students
• Confirmation Classes for Grades 8-10th ( in transition) 

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-10 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, however 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. A small snack and refreshment will be provided at the Grade K - 7 classes that follow the Mass.

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.

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Whole Parish Catechesis (WPC) 

Begins with Sunday Mass at Saint Margaret Mary 11 a.m. – followed by a snack and refreshment – then catechesis with a parent.

If you choose the Saturday Session option – Mass will be at 4 p.m. at Saint Margaret Mary – followed by a snack and refreshment – and catechesis. We offer Whole Parish Catechesis for Families with a Gr. K – 4, focus. 

PLEASE NOTE - This is a change from last year, where this program included the 5th grade. 

This year we are going to combine our 5th and 6th graders in a class that is more tailored to their level.  There are only five classes a year for WPC, unless your child is making a Sacrament. If your child is making their first Reconciliation or first holy Communion the additional workshops listed below will be part of their program for the year.

*Classes meet at St. Margaret Mary Church Hall (Visit our website for updates and the calendar SaintJuniperoSerra.org  > Faith Formation > CCD Online Calendar 

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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 28th 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 received 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.

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Grades 5-7 Classes

All children in Grs. 5-7 should register for classes at their particular grade level.  

Grades 5, 6, and 7 students have 90 minutes classes about twice a month, one on a Sunday before /after  with the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Margaret Mary. Class will end at  1:30 p.m. 

The second class will be on a Sunday Evening from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Saint Margaret Mary Church Hall.

Grs.  5th and 6th will study using Encounter, a bible series and UCAT, understanding of Church Teaching for middle school students 

Gr. 7:   Will study using Altaration, a study of the Mass for the first half of the year and then Envision, Middle School Edition which is basically a deeply spiritual viewpoint of who they are and the beauty of marriage, developed by Saint Pope John Paul II.

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Confirmation 1, Confirmation ½ , and Confirmation 2 

(Confirmation is a two-year program)

Our biggest change this year is that we are including our 8th grade in the Confirmation Program. 

The Archdiocese of Hartford is in the process of changing the Confirmation year to 8th grade, spring 2028. In the meantime we are adjusting our classes to ensure that all of our students are prepared. 

Grade 8 - Confirmation 1 ,Grade 9 - Confirmation 1-2,  and Grade 10- Confirmation 2 students will have some of their classes beginning with the 9 a.m. Mass at Saint Francis – ending at 11:30 a.m. 

Some of their classes will be on a Sunday evening at Saint Francis Church Hall

For Grade 8 from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  

For Grades 9-10 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm 

The Sacrament of Confirmation is usually at the end of May or early June.  That date cannot be finalized until we get word from the Bishop in January.

Confirmation 1, (Gr. 8): - Confirmation will be in (spring 2027) - CHOSEN, Your Journey toward Confirmation, part 1 – 10 hours of Service. 

Confirmation 1-2, (Gr. 9) - Confirmation will be in ( fall 2026)

Confirmation 2, (Gr. 10) -Confirmation will be in  (spring 2026)- CHOSEN, Your Journey toward Confirmation, part 2 – 10 hours of Service

We are currently in the process of finalizing class dates and the online calendar  will be updated once they are complete.

* 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.7 – 10 classes, or summer bible school.  E-mail the Faith Formation office for more information on how to prepare to be a volunteer. Our volunteers will only pay half of the tuition cost.

Positions available – Teacher’s assistants, Hall Monitors, help with food and clean- up, and table leaders

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Registration Fees

* Note that there are three different registration forms: 

1. Whole Parish Catechesis K- 4
2. Grs. 5th,6th, and 7th grade classes 
3. Confirmation students in grades 8, 9,and 10.  

*Some families will need to complete three forms. (online registration is now available) 

WPC - 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 books and 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

Confirmation 1, Confirmation 1-2,  and Confirmation 2 – Grades 8, 9, and 10

$85 Registration Fee and

$25  Retreat fee 

Order of Christian initiation for Adults -OCIA Program

If you are a 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!

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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.

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, 

Anton Miranda, Director 

Faith Formation Office 

Saint Junipero Serra Parish

80 Hayes Rd, South Windsor, CT 06074

860.644.2411 ext 106