Confirmation I & II Preparation Page - please review the Program for High School teens
Preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a two-year journey, beginning in grade 9 (typically) and continuing in grade 10.  Grade 9 students who are attending a Catholic School are encouraged - by not required - to attend the first year of preparation; these students are required to attend the 2nd year of preparation.

First Holy Communion

• Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10:00 AM at St. Athanasius; Rehearsal is Wednesday, April 12, 4:30 PM at St. Athanasius Church
• Saturday, April 22, 2023, 10:00 AM at St. Agnes; Rehearsal is Wednesday, April 19, 4:30 PM at St. Agnes Church
• If your family is unable to make either date - Email PColpitts@readingcatholic.org

Parent Meeting for First Holy Communion

There is a Parent Meeting Scheduled Monday, February 13th at 7 PM at St. Agnes Parish Center - 2nd Floor

What You'll Want to Know

• Parent Meeting, Monday, February 13, 7:00 PM at St. Agnes Parish Center, 2nd Floor - Purpose:  to go over specific details for your family's celebration of your child's First Holy Communion.
• Each family will be assigned a family Pew, which can accommodate 10 adults (depending on size)
• Children receiving their First Holy Communion will be seated with their families for the celebration.
• Families with twins will be assigned two pews.
• We are inviting parent/child pairs to read the readings at each of our celebrations.  We will need two pairs at each Mass.  If you would like to read with your child, (perhaps a grandparent or godparent), please email PColpitts@ReadingCatholic.org

Class Schedule 

Sunday Classes Meet 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

• January 8, 22, 29
• February 5, 12
• March 5
• March 12 - First Holy Communion Retreat

Wednesday Classes Meet 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM

•  January 11, 25
• February 1, 8, 15
• March 1
• March 8 - First Holy Communion Retreat

SighUp Genius for the First Holy Communion Mass

1/26/2023 - The Sign Up Genius in now inactive.  If you would like to change your original Sign Up, email your request to Jacqueline Steele, JSteele@ReadingCatholic.org

First Holy Communion Attire

Appropriate Church attire is expected, showing reverance to the Sacrament.  Girls have worn white and also other Church-appropriate attire:  both are acceptable.  Boys have worn white, and other Church-appropriate attire (Khakis/blue blazer, tie, etc.)

The Wilderness Adventure - January to February 2023

Gear up for a 5 Week hike through the wilderness leading kids to discover amazing things about Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Marriage, and Holy Orders. The goal of this unit is to help children better understand the seven sacraments and deepen their love for Jesus.  All grade levels cover the same topics, at a level geared to their grade.
Class meeting dates:

Sundays -  January 8, 22, 29 and February 5, 12
Mondays - January 9, 23, 30 and February 6, 13
Tuesdays - January 10, 24, 31 and February 7, 14
Wednesdays - January 11, 25 and February 1, 8, 15

We want this to be an experience for the whole family and so we invite you to feel free to visit any your children's classes to join in the activities and ask us questions along the way.

Treasures of Faith Lenten Journey - March 2023

Come explore the Treasures of our Faith during Lent through engaging and fun activities.  This four Week Lenten Session challenges kids to explore what we believe, while deepening their faith.
Class meeting dates:

Sundays - March 5, 12, 19, 26
Mondays - March 6, 13, 20, 27
Tuesdays - March 7, 14, 21, 28
Wednesdays - March 8, 15, 22, 29

A Marvelous Mystery - October to November 2022

This 5 Week Session will get kids immersed in the greatest mystery on earth as they spend a week learning about the incredible treasure of the Mass.  Kids will develop a new appreciation for the Catholic Mass and will deepen their love for Jesus in the Eucharist through faith teachings, catchy music, fun games, crafts, and more!
Class meeting dates:

Sundays - October 2, 16, 23, 30 and November 6
Mondays - October 3, 17, 24, 31 and November 7
Tuesday - October 4, 18, 25 and November 1, 8
Wednesdays - October 5, 19, 26 and November 2, 9

The Miracle of Jesus - November to December 2022

In this 4 Week Advent Series participants are transported back in time to Bethlehem in preparation of the celebration of the birth of Jesus.  Each week they travel through the Bethlehem Marketplace, and share in authentic experiences while discovering the miraculous impact of Jesus’ birth — and life!
Class meeting dates:

Sundays - November 13 and December 4, 11, 18
Mondays - November 14 and December 5, 12, 19
Tuesdays - November 15 and December 6, 13, 20
Wednesdays - November 16 and December 7, 14, 21

Please review the Protecting God's Children page for the training schedule and measures we have in place.  It is our our role and responsibility to keep all of God's children safe.

Church volunteers must attend VIRTUS training called "Protecting God's Children" which incorporates proven best practice standards for the prevention of child sexual abuse by clergy, staff, volunteers, and others who interact with children within the church environment. 

The program is designed particularly for those adults who have custodial care of children as part of their duties. Training in the signs and symptoms that indicate a child is being abused in some way, and how to talk with children about these issues will also be included, as will training in the responsibilities of mandated reporting and the archdiocese's policies and procedures for preventing child abuse. An on-line component called "VIRTUS On-Line" will provide continued training through monthly bulletins and annual recertification. For more information about VIRTUS "Protecting God's Children" , see http://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/protecting_children.cfm 

Summer Faith Program - for rising 6th, 7th, 8th Graders

Homeschool - Parent Meeting - Grade 1 and Grades 3-8

Tuesday, October 25, 7:00 PM - This is a ZOOM Meeting - Click here to join meeting

Grade 2 Sacraments - Parent Meeting

Meetings to review information specific for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

• 10/17/2022 - Year Opening Mtg - 7:00 PM, St. Agnes Parish Center
• 11/14/2022 - First Reconciliation Mtg - 7:00 PM, St. Agnes Parish Center
• 2/13/2023 - First Communion Mtg - 7:00 PM, St. Agnes Parish Center

Grade 1 through Grade 8

DATE:  Monday, September 26, 2022
TIME:  7:00 PM - Opening Year Mtg
LOCATION:  St. Agnes Parish Center

All classes for the 2022/2023 Fall Program are filled.  Late enrollments will be accepted and put on a wait list.  Enrollments are taken in person at the Collaborative Office.  Hours, Monday - Friday, 10AM to 3:30PM.  Or call 781-944-0490

Our Fall Program runs from October through April, offering Faith Formation for grades 1 through Confirmation Preparation (grade 10).
Our Summer Program runs in July, for rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders only.  These families have the option for the student to attend either the Fall Program or the Summer Program.

• Grade 2 is the traditional year for students to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. 
•  Grades 9 and 10 are the traditional years for Confirmation Preparation.  Students attend both Year 1 Preparation and Year 2 Preparaion, with the Sacrament received in the Spring of Year 2. 
• Grades 6, 7, or 8 families have the option of attending either the Summer Program (for students entering grade 6, 7, or 8 in the upcoming Fall School Year) OR the upcoming Fall Program.
• Flat Rate Family Fee = $250 due upon form submission
• Questions?  Contact Paula Colpitts, Director, 781-944-0490 X223  |  PColpitts@ReadingCatholic.org

Enrollment Form

Please review our Catechist page
Many people catechise in the Church, teaching the principles of the faith to those preparing for a sacrament.  Parents and godparents, for example, have a particular role to play in the education of children in the faith after baptism, and pastors have a particular responsibility to see to the “catechetical formation” of the people in their parishes. (Source: PillarCatholic.com)

A dedicated team of volunteers consisting of parents, high school teens, and adults give their time and share their talents to teach students enrolled in our Faith Formation Program.  Please review our Catechist page for information on volunteering and teaching.

Click Image for specific class dates

GRADES 1 TO 8:
Sunday classes meet at 10:00AM - 11:00AM
Monday, grade 5 meets 3:45PM - 4:45PM
Monday, grade 6, 7, 8 meets 5:00PM - 6:00PM
Tuesday, grade 3 meets 3:45PM - 4:45PM
Tuesday, grade 4 meets 5:00PM - 6:00PM
Wednesday classes meet 3:45PM - 4:45PM

Confirmation I meets Sundays, 4:30PM - 5:30PM
Confirmation II meets Sundays, 6:30PM - 7:30PM