Catechetical Ministry

CATECHETICAL MINISTRY
ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA
MORGAN HILL, CA.
(408) 779-9604

Our parish Religious Education program provides continuing formation for all children. 

  • Early Childhood Education (ECE) is offered on Sundays  for 3, 4 and 5 year old children, while their parents enjoy Mass.

  • Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) provides those 6 years and older the opportunity to hear and understand each Sunday's Scriptures by presenting the Word in "kid-friendly" language. 

  • Our weekly  classes for grades one through 8 allow us to help parents in their responsibility to continue the faith formation of their children.  Using the Religious Education Standards provided by the Diocese of San Jose,as our guide,  we strive to lead the children to a deeper understanding of our Catholic faith as they progress through the grades and become better able to appreciate the depth and beauty of our beliefs.

  • In addition to preparing already baptized children for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (Communion),  we also have a program for full-initiation of children who have not been baptized.  
Why continue?

Every year is important for the faith formation of children.  Even if your child has already received First Eucharist continuing formation should be a part of your child’s faith life. Just as your child is better able to understand more complex math and language with increasing age, (s)he is also able to comprehend and better appreciate the richness of Catholicism.  You (and God) want your child to have the firmest foundation possible before facing the challenges of this world.  You wouldn't deny your child a year or more of secular education.  Is faith formation any less important to his/her ultimate success in this life . . . or the next? 
Each grade studies a different aspect of our faith:

Gr. 1-  God Awareness;
Gr. 2-  Preparation and celebration of Reconciliation and First Eucharist;
Gr. 3-  Jesus and the life of His Church;
Gr. 4-  The commandments and beatitudes,
Gr. 5-  The seven Sacraments;
Gr. 6-  The bible and the Old Testament.
Gr. 7 & 8 – Values and moral choices as well as a review of our basic faith.
 

Class times:

ECE Sundays during entire 8:45 and 10:30 Masses
CLOW Sundays during Liturgy of the Word @8:45 and 10:30 Masses

Wednesday 3:15 - 4:15PM --Grades 1-6 (English)
Wednesday 4:30 - 5:30PM --Grades 1-6 (English)
                   -including preparation for Eucharist
Thursday 6:30-7:30 PM 2nd year Eucharist prep (4-8 grade)                       
Thursday  7:00 -8:30PM Jr. High (7th & 8th grade)
Saturday 9:00 – 10:15 AM English and Spanish


FEES:

ECE $10 per year
CLOW no fee or registration required
$50.00 per child (per year) for weekly religious ed classes
$125.00 Maximum per family

Additional $25.00 sacramental fee per child during the second year of preparation.
An $80 donation is customary for full initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist)

Payment is due at the time of registration. Payment arrangements are possible.
 

Registration dates: Open registration begins in late April.  Returning packets are sent home with the students in early April to re-enroll for the upcoming year.

Registration prior to November 15th will be credited as a full year of attendance.


NEW Registrations must be done in person.
Children new to the program also need to have a copy of baptism certificate on file.
A copy of the child's birth certificate is required before the sacraments of initiation.

Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am -4:00pm, Saturday 8:30am - 11:00am, and by appointment.


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Calendar (Next 10 upcoming events)
  • Jun 17-21, 2013
    Vacation Bible School
    Contact Jeanne Smith at jsmith@stcatherinemh.org for more information AND to volunteer to help.