Elementary Religious Education and Sacramental Preparation

Epiphany provides comprehensive religious education for children in grades K through 5. For program information, contact Colette Burns, Elementary RE Coordinator, 794-0222, ext. 21 . To register your child for classes (except during open registration), contact Maureen Martin, Registrar, 794-0222, ext. 18.

Download a Registration Form

Elementary Religious Education

The Elementary Religious Education Classes meet for approximately 25 weeks from late September to early May. Families have 4 shifts from which to choose:

• Monday - 1st shift 4:45 - 6:00 pm
  
• Monday - 2nd shift 6:30 - 7:45 pm
  
• Tuesday - 5:15 - 6:30 pm
  
• Wednesday - 5:15 - 6:30 pm

To participate in the program, families must be registered parishioners and complete a religious education registration form. Volunteers are needed as teachers, aides, hall monitors and nursery help for every shift. In an effort to ensure a safe environment for our children, all volunteers must be screened by Child Protective Services and must attend the "Protecting All God's Children" (VIRTUS) program. For information and registration for the next VIRTUS training session in our area, please visit www.virtus.org.

Sacraments

The sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are celebrated in the 3rd grade or above. Candidates for these sacraments need to meet the following requirements:

• The family must be registered parishioners.
  
• The child must be a baptized Catholic.
  
• The child must have attended religious education classes or be enrolled in a Catholic school during the past year.
  
• The child must also be attending religious education classes or be enrolled in a Catholic school during the current year.

In addition to regular religious education classes, The following preparation classes for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist must be attended by the child and one of his/her parents:

• Preparation for First Reconciliation consists of three Sunday afternoon classes which usually occur during January and February with the celebration of the sacrament taking place near the beginning of Lent.
  
• Preparation for First Eucharist also consists of three Sunday afternoon classes which usually occur during March and April with the celebration of the sacrament taking place during the Sunday liturgies in late April and early May.

Sacramental Preparation Requirements

Special Sacrament Needs for Children

This process is for

• any school-age child who has never been baptized or was baptized in another faith
  
• any child in grade 4 or above who has received little or no religious education
  
• any child in grade 4 or above who has not received First Reconciliation or First Eucharist
  

This is not a single program, but a variety of options incorporating family sacrament preparation and/or the Youth Catechumenate.
RCIC Registration Form