Religious Education Overview

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

The mission of Our Lady’s Religious Education Program, including Grade 2 First Communion Sacramental Preparation and Grades 9 & 10 Confirmation Sacramental Preparation, remains strong and steadfast as always, and especially going forward.

That mission is to help our children become faithful disciples of Jesus Christ as members of His Church, to learn their prayers, to learn about the Eucharist and Mass, to learn of God’s Mercy through the Sacrament of Confession, to know right from wrong, to learn about the Ten Commandments, to learn about the Bible, to learn about the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus, to treat themselves and others with kindness and respect, to learn about the angels and saints, to learn all about Our Blessed Mother and so many other things to help us live as God wants us to live!

An essential parish ministry, Religious Education classes are held on Sunday mornings at Our Lady's Academy. We are blessed with a large school building to safely and conveniently accommodate all classes. Our goal is to make Religious Education classes as safe, appropriate, formative, and welcoming as possible.

As always, your input, help and volunteerism is valued and appreciated to meet expectations and needs. Our program is volunteer-based, and we are grateful for the parents, teachers and aides who give of their time and talent to help the students.

May our Blessed Mother keep us in Her loving care.

Thank You!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OVERVIEW

As our parish life is centered upon celebration of the Eucharist, so is our Religious Education Program. We historically provide classroom instruction, service projects, field trips, and celebration of the sacraments for youth in grades 1 – 10 in a welcoming, active and caring environment.

Grades 1-8 have class time on Sunday mornings. First Communion preparation and celebration is integrated into Grade Two curriculum. Classes begin in early fall and end in late spring and usually meet at least twice a month, following the secular school calendar. The Sadlier Publishing Program “We Believe” is the catechesis syllabus used for Grades 1- 4. Grades 5 -8 utilize Pflaum Gospel Weeklies “Venture” and “Visions”, which are based on the weekly Gospel readings.

Confirmation Program is a two-year course of study and service for Grades 9 &10. Also held on Sunday mornings. Students receive the sacrament of Confirmation in the Spring of Grade 10. Dynamic Catholic “Decision Point” provides a relevant, engaging and challenging curriculum for this age-group.

Throughout the year, for all the grades, Father DiPerri and Father Campo regularly meet with the students during class time. Also, for grades 3 – 8, opportunity for Confession is available by grade during class time. An Advent and a Lenten Penance Service for Confirmation students are also scheduled. 

VOLUNTEERS

• Opportunities to volunteer as a teacher/team teacher, classroom or hallway aide, and substitute teacher are available. Many of our volunteers return each year, however spots are always available!

• Religious Education volunteers receive removed or reduced tuition rates for their children in the program. Please contact Elizabeth Pettine in the Religious Ed Office at 781-894-3481 x3 or religiouseducation@olca.org on how you can join this essential, rewarding faith-formation ministry for your parish community and personal enrichment for your own faith-life. 

*All volunteers who work with minors must attend a “VIRTUS: Protecting God’s Children” session once and complete a CORI form yearly.

FIRST COMMUNION

Grade Two students and other First Communicants of Our Lady's Religious Education and Our Lady’s Academy will celebrate together First Penance on a Saturday in the spring and First Holy Communion Mass in May.

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation Sacramental Preparation is for students in Grades Nine and Ten attending public, private and parochial schools. The program typically consists of classroom instruction and discussion, service to the parish and community, field trip, retreat attendance, and written assignment. Students are confirmed in Grade Ten and Confirmation is celebrated in the spring.