Religious Education Registration

Welcome to the Religious Education program at St. Mary’s!

Registration for children’s catechism classes for the 2026-2027 session begins on Thu, Jun 18.
Classes will begin on Thu, Aug 13.
Catechesis will take place on Thursday evenings, from 5:30-7:00pm. The side doors of the Parish center will be open at 5:15pm.

We offer a variety of programs to fit our community's needs (all ages are as of Dec 1, 2026):

Children's catechism classes for ages 6-14
Sacramental preparation for children ages 7+
Children’s service program for Confirmed children ages 9-12

Children’s Religious Education Programs

Our children’s Religious Education Program is a 3-year program. Children who are 6-7 years old (as of December 1st, 2026) will be placed in the Kindergarten class. Children who are age 8 or older who have never attended catechism classes will begin in the RE Class 1. These are foundational classes and do not include any sacrament preparation. Children with a verifiable catechism history will be placed in RE Class 2 or RE Class 3, depending on their age and previous catechism level. Class 2 includes sacrament preparation for FIrst Reconciliation. Class 3 includes sacrament preparation for Confirmation and First Holy Communion.

Important information about sacraments, based on children’s ages:

No sacraments, aside from Baptism, are received by children younger than age 7. The Church recognizes age 7 as the “age of reason,” when a child can reliably discern right from wrong. First Reconciliation is not received by children younger than 7 years old. There are also no certificates given for First Reconciliation.

Confirmation and First Holy Communion are received by children who are 8 years old or older, and have completed two previous years of catechism (three years total). Due to our Diocese’s observance of Restored Order, both of these sacraments are received in the same Mass. For unbaptized children, all three Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, and First Holy Communion) will be received at the Easter Vigil in their third year of catechism.

Class Offerings:

RE Class K - Foundational class for children who are 6-7 years old.
This class DOES NOT include any sacrament preparation.
RE Class 1 - Foundational class for children ages 8 and up who have never attended catechism.
This class DOES NOT include any sacrament preparation.
RE Class 2 (First Reconciliation) - Class for children ages 7 and up who have previously attended RE Kindergarten Class or RE Class 1 (or catechism classes at another parish), but who have not received their First Reconciliation, Confirmation, or First Holy Communion (previous attendance must be verified by parish office). This class includes sacrament preparation for children’s First Reconciliation, which will be received in the duration of this class.*
RE Class 3 (Confirmation / First Holy Communion or Baptism / Confirmation /First Holy Communion, if unbaptized ) - Class for children ages 8 and up who have previously completed RE Class 1 or RE Kindergarten Class and RE Class 2, and have received their First Reconciliation (unless unbaptized). This class includes sacrament preparation for children’s Confirmation and First Holy Communion (also Baptism if the child is unbaptized). Due to our Diocese's observance of Restored Order, Confirmation and First Holy Communion are received together in Spring during this session year.*

Children who are not baptized will receive all three Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil.

*Sacrament preparation requires that children have basic reading and writing abilities.

To see more details about our available programs, please visit the Formation tab on our website.

Registration Information

Registration for this year’s Religious Education program will take place during three in-person events:

Registrations for the 2026-2027 year will only be accepted at one of these three events.

Thu, Jun 18 from 5:30-7:00pm
Fri, Jul 10 from 3:00-6:00pm
Sat, Jul 25 from 11:00am-1:00pm

Paper registration forms, along with a document checklist, will be available at the Parish Office.

Paper forms, along with the necessary documents, can be returned to the Religious Education Coordinator at one of our three registration events.

No registrations will be accepted after 1:00pm on Sat, Jul 25.

Documents that will be required at the time of child’s registration

Please review the list below carefully. All required documents must be submitted at the time of registration. Original documents will be immediately scanned/copied and returned. Copies will be maintained for our records.

Child’s birth certificate, if not baptized
Child’s Baptism certificate, if baptized
Certificates for any other sacraments that the child has received in the Catholic Church.
If your child has started their sacrament preparation at another parish, we will need a letter from that pastor to verify.
- Baptized children who have not attended any formal catechism classes in the last two years will be placed in the Kindergarten class or the R.E. 1 class, depending on age.

Payment

Children’s Catechism Class Cost (total price for the year): $60 for one child $100 for two children $120 for three or more children

Saints in the Making class (children who are already Confirmed) is: $20 per child (total price for the year)
(These apply to the children's classes only. There is no cost to attend Youth Bible Study or Order of Christian Initiation for Adults and Teens.)

Online payment is preferred. Pay online HERE.

Cash payments can be made at the Parish Center during normal business hours.

No family will be turned away for lack of funds. If you require financial assistance, please contact the Religious Education Coordinator, Crystal Meins Palmer at cpamler@stmarykingman.com.

Anyone who would like to make an additional financial donation to the Religious Education program at St. Mary's may drop their donation off at the Parish Center during normal business hours or donate online here.

Sponsor Requirements (for children, teens, and adults)

Participants who will be receiving their Baptism or Confirmation during this year will need a sponsor who meets the following requirements:

The sponsor must be at least 16 years old, having received Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation, and if applicable, married in the Catholic Church.
In order to function as a role model and support the candidate, the sponsor must be a practicing Catholic, who fully participates in the sacramental life of the Church in living a full and active Catholic life.
The sponsor must be someone other than the mother or father of the candidate.Only one sponsor (godparent) is required, either male or female.
This information must be verified by the sponsor’s local pastor through a letter or email to the Religious Education Coordinator at St. Mary’s.

All sponsor information and documents must be received by the date set by the Religious Education Coordinator.

Special Needs Children

For children and families with special needs, please visit our Resources for Families and Individuals with Special Needs.

Here you will find curriculum options and other resources to help make the Catholic Faith accessible to everyone.

If your family would be interested in attending a family catechism class that meets monthly, please email Crystal Meins Palmer at cpamler@stmarykingman.com.

Elementary Catechism - Spirit of Truth

Spirit of Truth - Sophia Institute

For our kindergarten and elementary-aged children, we offer the Sophia Institute’s Spirit of Truth program.

From the Sophia Institute Website:

Spirit of Truth covers the breadth of the Catechism in a rich and age-appropriate way, to connect with students of diverse backgrounds and differing familiarity with the Catholic Faith.
While it’s important for students to understand the Faith, Spirit of Truth is designed to help them internalize the Faith and apply it to their own lives, providing ample opportunity for them to reflect on how everything they are learning applies to their own lived experience.

Kindergarten - Jesus and the Holy Family
Students are introduced to the loving goodness of Jesus Christ, meet the members of the Holy Family, and learn who the saints are and what they teach us.

They begin to explore why virtue is good and sin is bad, and the importance of developing good habits.
Students learn that they can speak to God in prayer.

Grade 1 (RE Class 1) - God is Love
Students begin to develop an awareness of God as our Father in Heaven, the creator of Heaven and earth, who is all good, who created them in His image and likeness, and who loves them unconditionally.

Basic parts of the Mass.
The reality of sin in connection with the Sacrament of Confession.
The lives of saints and the basics of prayer as a conversation with God.

Grade 2 (RE Class 2) - Our Life in Jesus
Students focus on how much children are loved by Jesus Christ, and how His death and Resurrection has opened the way to Heaven.

The parts of the Mass.
Lives and lessons of the saints.
More ways to pray.
A special focus on the Sacraments of Confession and Eucharist.

Grade 3 (RE Class 3) - The Kingdom of God and the Church
Students learn about the Catholic Church, the Holy Spirit and how He guides Her, and how Jesus continues His mission through Her.

Basics of the Trinity and all seven Sacraments.
Prayer and living as children of God.
Jesus’ Parables of the Kingdom, and Mary as the Mother of the Church.

Sealed in Fire - Sophia Institute

Sealed in Fire is a curriculum from the Sophia Institute designed especially for children preparing for their Confirmation under Restored Order. Through dozens of activities, students prepare to receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the Sacrament of Confirmation.

This curriculum uses full-color sacred art, background readings, games, role-plays, and assessment tools that will empower young people — like the Apostles — to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations.

Please see our Religious Education Registration Information page for Sacramental requirements.

To register your child(ren), please see our Registration Information page.

If you have any questions regarding the Religious Education program at St. Mary's, please email the Religious Education Coordinator, Crystal Meins Palmer at cpamler@stmarykingman.com.

Post-Confirmation Participation for Children

Saints in the Making Club - In this class, children who have already received their Confirmation will practice putting their faith into action, as they deepen their Catholic identity through Saints and service.
If you are interested in enrolling your child in this class, please email Crystal Meins Palmer at cpamler@stmarykingman.com to be placed on the waitlist.

We are currently looking for a catechist with experience leading service projects for this class. If you are available and interested in volunteering with this class, please email Crystal Meins Palmer at cpamler@stmarykingman.com.