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.
There is a Parent Meeting Scheduled Monday, February 13th at 7 PM at St. Agnes Parish Center - 2nd Floor
Sunday Classes Meet 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Wednesday Classes Meet 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM
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
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.)
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.
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
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
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
Sunday Classes - 10:00 AM |
Wednesday Classes - 3:45 PM |
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Please plan on your family arriving with your child 15 minutes before your celebration so your children can get situated and feel at ease. Children will sit in reserved seating and families will sit behind the children in the non-reserved pews. This will allow us to readily escort children to a priest for their confession.
Dress is "Sunday Best" as this is a celebration of a sacrament.
The Reconcilation Service consists of an Opening Song, Opening Prayer, Examination of Conscience, a Reading, Short Reflection and Individual Confessions. Individual Confessions are out in the open. Confessors are placed in corners of the Sanctuary (area around the Altar) and Church so priests can hear children's confessions while maintaining some privacy.
The length of the Service will depend on when your child makes their confession. Children are escorted one at a time to one of the available confessors. As a guestimate, the last child makes their confession by the end of an hour or so.
I will review expectations of First Reconciliation with your children in our next few classes we have before our celebration. It will be helpful if you review their lessons with them as well, as we get closer to our special day. If you have questions, please reach out with an email.
Q: When should we arrive?
A: Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your celebration so your children can get situated and feel at ease.
Q: How can I help my child prepare for their First Reconciliation?
A: Please review Reconciliation materials handed out at class. If you have questions, please reach out with an email to PColpitts@ReadingCatholic.org
Q: What should my child wear?
A: How we dress can be a reflection of the value we hold for any occasion: Sunday best, in honor of our loving and forgiving God.
Q: Do families attend?
A: We invite families to join in for celebrating this Sacrament. Other family members may also choose to have their confession heard at the end of the Service, once all the children are done.
Tuesday, October 25, 7:00 PM - This is a ZOOM Meeting - Click here to join meeting
Meetings to review information specific for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
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.
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.
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