Registration & Policy

Passing on Knowledge of the Faith is the work of the whole parish community. It happens in the home when we pray and interact with family and friends in Christian fellowship. It happens when we gather as a community for Sunday Mass, share devotions, participate in special liturgical events and support social ministry projects in service of others.

St. Mary’s Parish Volunteers
Each year we ask members of our parish community to volunteer their time to teach the tenets of the Catholic faith with our young students. Those who work from home may wish to volunteer at our afternoon classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Those not able to teach during the day may want to volunteer at our evening classes for grades 6, 7 or 8 on Monday nights (7:00 PM–8:00 PM).

Catechists are also welcome to work together as a team; sharing in the responsibility to plan and present lessons. Other adults can act as assistant Catechists, who are present in class to help the Catechist, but who do not plan or present lessons. We also need hall monitors and, most importantly, directors of traffic for the parking lots. This year, please plan to volunteer with us in some way.  For more information on volunteer opportunities, please contact our Director of Religious Education, Mrs. Granieri.
 

Online registration is now closed.  Please contact the Religious Education Office to make an appointment to register.  Enrollment in the 2023-2024 school year ends on November 15, 2023.

A) Family Track – Catechism in the Classroom and Mass Attendance
From the beginning, the celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist (His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity) has been the center of the Church’s life.  At Mass, the Father comes with the Holy Spirit to indwell within us, and so unite us to Christ. 

Central to the Gospel is the responsibility of parents to instill deep Christian virtue, participation in the Mass, and prayer in their children. 

Hence, in addition to catechetical teaching in weekly classes, students enrolled in the “Family Track” Program will receive a guided family reflection on the “Gospel of the Week” to be completed at home (in lieu of an in-person class during the week) AND an invitation to attend a brief discussion on the Gospel following a Sunday family mass (scheduled once a month by grade according to the 2023-2024 Religious Education Program Calendar).

Participants are also registered as St. Mary’s Parishioners. 

Students participate/volunteer in parish events, attend special family centered lectures (optional) and meet sacrament preparation requirements (Grades 2 and 8).

Fee Schedule: Family Track 
1 child ($210)
2 children ($310)
3+ children ($395)

B) Online Home Study  
The “Online Only” option is now available for students in all grades (1-8) unable to regularly attend in-person classes and wish to complete catechetical study (only) through our online portal (Faith and Life Series).  Progress will be monitored online to ensure students keep pace with assignments/lessons. 

Note: Students in Grades 2 and 8 are required to attend all sacramental preparation meetings and supplemental assignments.  A copy of the student's baptismal certificate must also be provided. 

Fee Schedule: Online + Volunteer 
1 child ($230)
2 children ($335)
3+ children ($420)

C) Online Home Study + Volunteer for Parish Ministry Needs
This option is available to all students in grades (1- 8) unable to regularly attend in-person classes but still wish to participate in special catechesis/ministry events.  Online home study students will complete catechetical study online AND serve as volunteers for 3-5 St. Mary’s parish ministry initiatives throughout the year.  Students also have the option to attend special catechesis lectures. Progress will be monitored online to ensure students keep pace with assignments/lessons.

Note: Students in Grades 2 and 8 are required to attend all sacramental preparation meetings and supplemental assignments.  A copy of the student's baptismal certificate must also be provided.

Fee Schedule: Online Only
1 child ($230)
2 children ($335)
3+ children ($420)

Families are required register with the parish before registering students in the Religious Education Program. Parents are required to fill out a family registration form and submit a Baptismal Certificate for each child.  Those transferring from another religious education program must include a letter from that parish indicating the years of previous catechism and sacraments received.

Student Conduct and Responsibility

As a Catholic community, we foster Christian principles of respect and courtesy toward others.  It is expected that all students will follow program procedures and rules of respectful conduct.  Parents will be immediately notified of behavior challenges that may result in the discontinuance of student participation within the classroom.

All students are required to bring their textbook and a pen/pencil to class each week.  Books are not left in the classroom in boxes or containers.  Students are expected to respect the school and Church property, especially the items of both St. Mary Elementary and High School students who also use the facilities.  Parents are to notify the Office of Religious Education regarding the need for early dismissal.  Students are expected to arrive on time and demonstrate consistent attendance with real commitment to learning about God and the Catholic faith.  Therefore, all in-person students are expected to attend scheduled classes including Mass attendance unless prevented by illness.

Participation in St. Mary’s Religious Education Program can only begin after registration through the Office of Religious Education is complete.  Catechists do not manage any part of the formal registration process.

Lost books will incur a $20 fee to replace.

Registering at the time of the sacraments (i.e. spring 2024) is not permissible.