Grades 2, 7, 8 and 9
This program includes 9 In-person class lessons and (1) retreat and (1) extended class session taught in-person by volunteer Catechists. Classes held on a separate Sunday schedule after the 8:30am Mass from 9:30-10:45am.
Since the classes for both Grade 2 and Grade 9 are on the same time slot, we are creating a Buddy program where the students will be able to share the faith together.
Grade 2: Good News At-home Program
The Good News program is designed to guide children to more involvement in Sunday Mass as they see how the Sunday readings tie to their own lives. Realistic stories and Gospel narrations—plus fun-to-do, hands-on activities—support formative learning.
Child Development Levels:
- Concrete thinkers and learners
- Storytellers
- Sensory driven
Good News for Children helps 2nd graders hear and retell the Gospel stories and use their senses to learn about their world.
Here is a link to the Gospel Weeklies “Good News” program
Grade 2: First Reconciliation
Together in Jesus: First Reconciliation
6 Lessons focus on biblical stories about Christian living — including the Good Samaritan, the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Prodigal Son – to help children appreciate that God loves them and is always ready to forgive them. Activity stickers help children relate the stories to their lives.
5 lessons will be taught during our Sacramental Preparation In-person class schedule and 1 lesson will be covered at an extended session prior to Reconciliation.
Reconciliation Service will be scheduled in January. Parent Meeting prior to the service to answer any question.
Grade 2 – First Communion
Lessons explore the sacraments of initiation, the liturgical seasons, and the biblical stories of Zacchaeus, the loaves and the fish, and the Last Supper — drawing children into fuller and more active participation in the life of the Church.
4 lessons will be taught during our Sacramental Preparation In-person class schedule and 2 lessons will be covered during the First Communion Retreat. A parent meeting is also schedule for the retreat to review the Mass and all its details.
There will be a scheduled Rehearsal a week before the Mass to prepare for the First Communion Mass.
First Communion Mass will be scheduled in May.
GRADE 7- Pre-Confirmation
The Pre-Confirmation program is for students in grades 7. This is a 12 week, in-person class schedule of Catechist led instruction. Classes are held on Sundays after the 8:30AM Mass from 9:30AM
– 10:45AM. The expectation is that families attend Mass prior to class. If your Grade 7 student has not been consistently enrolled in Faith Formation since making their First Communion or need to receive the Sacraments of Baptism/First Communion please see our Catch Up Class Policy.
Grade 7 will use OSV ‘Alive in Christ’ Faith Guidebooks. They will cover ‘Jesus Christ in the fall and ‘Trinity’ in the spring. These unique Guidebooks are invaluable to catechists as they help youth become evangelizers through actual practice in sharing their faith with others. Created by a team of experts in education, catechesis, and theology, Alive in Christ Young Adolescents Faith Guidebooks incorporate the most trusted research on how young people learn, communicate, and grow in their faith. The lessons are designed to engage young people from 6th to 9th grades. Each faith guidebook contains six lessons.
GRADE 8- CONFIRMATION YEAR 1
The Confirmation program is for students in grades 8 & 9. This is a 12 week, in-person class schedule of Catechist led instruction. Classes are held on Sundays after the 8:30AM Mass from 9:30AM – 10:45AM. The expectation is that families attend Mass prior to class.
The Confirmation program is a two-year program geared for students who have been active in Faith Formation since their First Communion. Those who are currently enrolled in Catholic school may join the program during their Grade 9 year as they receive their Faith Formation through their classes at school. Confirmation will be made in the spring of their Grade 9 year. During the year, in addition to classes, Grade 8 students may begin to work on their 20 hours of service: 10 hours served at St. Bernard’s and 10 hours served in the community. These will be due during their Grade 9 year. Additionally, we highly encourage our Grade 8 students to participate in our Live Stations of the Cross that we hold annually on Good Friday. If your Grade 8 student would like to make Confirmation but have not been consistently enrolled in Faith Formation since making their First Communion or need to receive the Sacraments of Baptism/First Communion please see our Catch Up Class Policy.
Grade 8 will use OSV ‘Alive in Christ’ Faith Guidebooks. They will cover ‘Sacraments’’ in the fall and ‘The Church’ in the spring. These unique Guidebooks are invaluable to catechists as they help youth become evangelizers through actual practice in sharing their faith with others. Created by a team of experts in education, catechesis, and theology, Alive in Christ Young Adolescents Faith Guidebooks incorporate the most trusted research on how young people learn, communicate, and grow in their faith. The lessons are designed to engage young people from 6th to 9th grades. Each faith guidebook contains six lessons.
GRADE 9 – CONFIRMATION YEAR 2
The Confirmation program is for students in grades 8 & 9. This is a 12 week, in-person class schedule of Catechist led instruction. Classes are held on Sundays after the 8:30AM Mass from 9:30AM – 10:45AM. The expectation is that families attend Mass prior to class.
The Confirmation program is a two-year program geared for students who have been active in Faith Formation since their First Communion. Those who are currently enrolled in Catholic school may join the program during their Grade 9 year as they receive their Faith Formation through their classes at school. Confirmation will be made in the spring of their Grade 9 year. During the year in addition to classes, Grade 9 students will go on retreat, engage in a series of conversations with their Sponsor, and complete their 20 hours of Church/Community Service. If your Grade 9 student would like to make Confirmation but have not been consistently enrolled in Faith Formation since making their First Communion or need to receive the Sacraments of Baptism/First Communion please see our Catch Up Class Policy.
Grade 9 will use OSV ‘Alive in Christ’ Faith Guidebooks. They will cover Morality in the fall. These unique Guidebooks are invaluable to catechists as they help youth become evangelizers through actual practice in sharing their faith with others. Created by a team of experts in education, catechesis, and theology, Alive in Christ Young Adolescents Faith Guidebooks incorporate the most trusted research on how young people learn, communicate, and grow in their faith. The lessons are designed to engage young people from 6th to 9th grades. Each faith guidebook contains six lessons.
Gifted with the Spirit – Senior High Edition
In the Spring, Grade 9 students will complete Pflaum Publishings’ ‘Gifted with the Spirit- Senior High Edition’. Each lesson helps lead candidates to strengthen their relationship with Jesus as The Way, The Truth, and The Life. Photos help them visualize meaning, the writing is clear and concise, and activities are both thought-provoking and involving. There is a prayer service in each unit, the relationship among the sacraments is reviewed, and the call to service is presented fully.