Early Childhood (Preschool and Kindergarten):

The Early Childhood Program is designed to support parents in forming their children in the Catholic faith and helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus.  It helps the children develop positive attitudes about themselves, their families, and friends by learning more about the many gifts God has provided them.

This program provides age-appropriate learning experiences based on the young child’s level of understanding and ability to participate.  Through stories, songs, finger plays, prayers, crafts, and other sensory activities the children can realize God’s love for them.  Special Activities:

St. Francis Celebration

Christmas Story and Craft

Participation in the Palm Sunday Procession

Releasing of butterflies close to Easter

Painting of Crucifixes, followed by Blessing

Mother’s Day Celebration

Primary Grades (1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd):

The primary grades expand on the Early Childhood experience and continue to help the children grow in their relationship with Jesus through Scripture stories, life experiences, faith-building activities, and doctrinal content.

In Second Grade, the children are prepared for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.  As part of their formation, the Second Graders and their families participate in a Church Tour which broadens their understanding of the liturgical seasons and our worship space.  At the beginning of the year, the parents also gather for an evening of reflection on reconciliation.

In January, the Second Grade students are formally recognized by the worshipping community as candidates for First Eucharist.  All of our Second Graders and their parents come together again in February for a Bread Celebration wherein they, again, reflect on Eucharist and receive information relevant to the actual celebration of First Eucharist in the Spring.

Middle Grades:

In all of our grade levels, we use a spiral approach to learning our Catholic faith.  The four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – Creed, Sacraments, Morality, and Prayer – are taught and developed on every grade level every year.  Each year the students, with the direction of a Catechist, build upon and reinforce what they have previously learned in other grade levels.  This results in age-appropriate learning on all topics of our faith.

In the Fifth Grade, we offer an Advent Faith Experience for the students and their families who come together as a community of disciples to prepare for the feast of Christmas.  This is generally planned for mid to late November and the students are then excused from the classes before Christmas.

The Sixth Grade culminates their year with a Faith First Bowl wherein they are challenged, in an oral quiz format, to recall information learned in Sixth Grade.

Junior High:

The Seventh Graders explore the life and message of Jesus in the four Gospels with emphasis on understanding and praying the Scriptures.  The students are also introduced to the writings of St. Paul and other New Testament letters.  As part of their preparation for Confirmation, each Seventh Grade student completes a “Jesus Project” wherein they depict some aspect of the life of Jesus in an art or literary form.  A highlight of Seventh Grade is a presentation on the Gospels given by Fr. Steve, our Pastor.  The Seventh Graders participate in a May Commitment Service in which they begin their preparation for Confirmation.

The Eighth Grade students are immersed in their immediate preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation.  They complete their service hours, develop a Saint report, enjoy several special speakers, and participate in Spirit Day (a retreat-like experience sponsored by our Youth Ministry).

A clearer understanding of Christ’s Church unfolds as the students learn how followers of Jesus take on the responsibility of continuing Christ’s work on earth through Christian service.

All of the students in every grade level are provided the opportunity to reach out to those less fortunate by participating in their grade-level Advent and Lenten projects and preparing lunches for The Port on any given Sunday.

In the Spring of 2011, we will offer a new optional faith experience, Just 5 Days, to our Sixth and Seventh Grade students.  These students will be invited to participate in a five-day “mission trip” geared age-appropriately to a Junior High student.  The trip will include parents and young adults who would serve as chaperones.

Journey in Faith:

This process is for older children who have not been baptized or for children who have not been catechized after Baptism.  The group meets on Thursday evenings during the school year from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Devine Center.  This year, the parents of these children will also be invited to gather while the children are in their session.