Religious Education

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

(772) 337-4313

Registration for the 2023-2024 Program year
is now closed.
Please call our office before coming in.

Mark 10:13-16
stained glass window on east wall of our church

Welcome to Religious Education!

Religious Education is a ministry that begins with a vocation of the heart. We reach out to every child starting out with our new arrivals in kindergarten through the confirmandi in high school.

Office Hours & Staff

Office Hours

Monday through Thursday
9:00am-2:30pm

Mrs. Mary Acevedo
Director of Religious Education

Mrs. Kelly Walcheski
Program Assistant

Mrs. Ellen Bradley
Pre-K

Ms. Bonnie Lay
OCIA

Program Schedule

Returning families
Registration opens in March and closes in May.

Families new to the parish
Ongoing enrollment--if a letter is provided from your previous DRE stating that your child has already started classes this year

Families entering the program for the first time
Registration opens in May and closes in July.

Fees
-Tuition is a non-refundable donation to the Religious Education Program to pay for materials and supplies consumed by our students and volunteers. The low rate is per family per year.
-A non-refundable retreat fee is collected in the sacramental year and pays for goods and services related to the retreat required by the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Documents
Birth certificate, Baptism certificate, parish registration/member number, custody agreement (when applicable), program registration form

Classes
First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion
-requires two consecutive years of preparation
-minimum age to start preparation: 6 years old
-requires weekly Mass and weekly class attendance
-classes are on Tuesday afternoons, 5:15pm-6:45pm, September through May

Confirmation
-requires two consecutive years of preparation
-minimum age to start preparation: 14 years old with adequate previous formation
-requires weekly Mass and weekly class attendance plus commitment to service projects encompassing a minimum of 30 service hours
-classes are Sunday afternoons, 2:00-4:00pm, September through May

Parents-specialized programming
-in a Google Classroom (requires a Gmail address) for parents with kids in First Holy Communion and Confirmation classes
-parents of First Holy Communion and Confirmation students will be required to attend some classes with their children

Faith Formation
-We offer programming every year to children in elementary school, middle school, and high school who are not preparing for a sacrament. Please do not drop out of the Religious Education Program after your child receives his or her sacraments! Join us on Wednesday afternoons from 5:15-6:45pm, September through May.

Specialized ministries

IMPORTANT: All parents of all program participants must park their vehicles in a parking space and walk their child(ren) to and from their classrooms prior to class. At dismissal, parents must walk into the building to meet their child(ren) outside of their classrooms where they will sign their children out. This is for the safety of all the children. Your cooperation throughout the entire year and at all age levels is appreciated.

EMERGENCY CANCELLATION POLICY: WHEN ST. LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOLS and other AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE CLOSED DUE TO BAD WEATHER (HURRICANES, TROPICAL STORMS, ETC.) RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES ARE CANCELLED. This will be posted on Holy Family's website and Facebook page.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

PHOTO GALLERY

Florida Catholic Newspaper Articles

Parishes Celebrate Sacraments During COVID

Parish Ministries Partner to Feed Families

Relics of St. Padre Pio to Visit Diocese

Students Gain a Respect for Unborn, Elderly (Facebook) (newspaper)

Council of Catholic Women recognizes one of our 2022 Confirmati with the Golden Rose Award

"Parents are the first and principal educators of their children."
---CCC 1653
statue of the Holy Family: Jesus, His mother the Blessed Virgin, and His foster father St. Joseph the Worker
on the east wall of our church

Are you being called to be a Catechist?

The dedication to time, talent, compassion, and understanding is one shared by every Catechist. There are many opportunities for those called to this ministry. Parents, grandparents, married couples, and singles of the parish are needed as catechists, assistants, substitutes, special event and retreat planners, guest speakers, office assistants, and hall monitors.

All adults interacting with youth are required by the Diocese to complete the Protecting God's Children® training program, which includes one training session and a fingerprint check. Online and classroom Diocesan programs are offered for catechist certification. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to develop a deeper understanding of your own faith while passing it on to our children.

If you feel you are being called to this ministry, please contact Mary Acevedo or Kelly Walcheski in the Religious Education Office at 772-337-4313.