Mission Statement 

The goal of the St. Mary Religious Education program is to educate the whole Church community about our Catholic faith, and to promote the idea of faith formation as a life-long, continuous process.  Through the Sacraments and the rich traditions of our church we desire to bring them into a personal relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We want to from Intentional Disciples, who will go forth and proclaim the Good News by their words, actions, and the lives that they lead.

Click here to read the Mission and Ministry of Catechesis statement. 

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Contact Information:

Religious Formation offices are located in the Parish Office.

Phone: 810-982-7906 ext. 3

Email: stmaryphreled@gmail.com

stmaryphyouthgroup@gmail.com

 

 

Religious Education Staff

Mary Shoudy: Director of Faith Formation: 810-982-7906 x155

Barb Patchett: Assistant Director of Faith Formation: 810-982-7906 x102

Laurie Elliott: Coordinator of Youth Ministry: 810-982-7906 x156

Click here for full directory of Catechists

 

Religious Education Class Schedule

Sunday- 1-6thgrade: 10:00-11:00 am

Wednesday- Junior High–grades 7 & 8: bi-monthly 7-8:30 pm

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Religious Education Overview 

 

Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Children ages Preschool – 2nd grade are invited to attend Children’s Liturgy during the 9:00 am Mass from September through the end of April. During the lesson, children will listen to and explore the Gospel reading for that Sunday at a child’s level of understanding. They will also recite the Children’s Creed and Prayers of the Faithful, and do a simple activity to reinforce what they’ve learned from the Gospel.

 

Religious Education (Also known as Faith Formation or Catechism) is offered for students on Sundays (1st – 6th grade) from 10:00-11:00 am.  An age appropriate curriculum approved for use by the Archdiocese of Detroit provides formal religious education for each grade, as well as sacramental preparation. Parents are required to attend several meetings and formation during the First Eucharist Preparation in 2nd grade. Classes run from September through the end of April

 

Junior High Religious Education (click for more information)

 

OCIA for Children: Students over 7 years old who have not yet received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, and /or First Eucharist and need to “catch up” to their peers are invited to attend this program. An age-appropriate, Diocese approved curriculum is used.

 

Vacation Bible School is usually held the last week of June at St. Mary, and is a very important part of religious education.  There are also opportunities during VBS for older children to assist adult volunteers and earn hours for Confirmation Prep or NJHS.

 

High School Youth Group (click for more info)

 

Circle of Grace: This program is a Safe Environment lesson for children in Grades K-8. The goal of this age-appropriate program is to educate and empower students to actively participate in a safe environment for themselves and others, and to understand and respect their own dignity and that of others.  This one hour lesson is presented in mid November in place of a regular class, and parents are notified at least one week before the class is held. 

Circle of Grace curriculum is woven into the Junior High (7th & 8th grade) program throughout the year.

 

Tuition: Tuition rates are as follows:

 

There is a family fee of $40.00 per family

Tuition per child is $55.00

Total cost for : One child:  $95.00 ($40.00 family fee + $55.00 tuition)

                         Two children:  $150.00 ($40.00 family fee + $110.00 tuition)

                         Three children:  $205.00 ($40.00 family fee + $165.00 tuition)

                         Four children: $260 ($40 family fee + $220 tuition)

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*Please do not let financial difficulties keep your children out of Religious Education.  If you are unable to cover part of your costs, please see the Director, Mary Shoudy. Payment plans and subsidies are available.

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Please click here for Policies and Procedures

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A paper copy of the Parent-Student Handbook is available at any time from the Religious Education staff.  Just ask! 

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Adult Formation

Order of Christian Initiation (OCIA)

Weekly-Wednesday 7pm

The OCIA is the process by which people enter into to Church or complete their Sacraments of initiation. The process is concerned with the total formation of the person including believing, living, praying, and serving with our Parish community. This process runs from October through Easter Vigil, where all those that have successfully gone through the process will celebrate the Sacraments of Initiation which include Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.

 

 

Bible Study 

 

The Bible studies explore different books and aspects of the Word of God. These studies help to deepen the participant’s relationship with Jesus through a better understanding of Scripture. 

 

Monday 6:30 pm:

Facilitator: Roger Thomas

 

Thursday 9:30am:

Facilitator: Pat Isaacson

 

Contact Parish Office for more information at 810-982-7906 x 101

 

 

Catechist Formation 

Although these topics do help our Catechists become Archdiocese certified, the topics are of value to everyone. There are 27 topics total and each topic is centered on Jesus as seen through the lenses of prayer, Scripture, Church teaching and lived experience. These topics are presented through the Master Catechists within our Diocese.

Watch for School and Religious Education calendar and the Church bulletin for times and dates.