Faith Formation
Faith Formation Options
Children of our parish should attend formal religious education beginning in K or first grade and continuing through Confirmation. Attending each year will ensure that your child will be well prepared to complete their Sacraments of Initiation. You may register more than one child on one form.
There is Never a Wrong time to start Faith Formation...
Is your child starting a journey with us at a different time than Grade 1? We have options available to help everyone receive their faith formation and finish their sacraments - any time is a good time to come to the Church!
St. Mary Faith Formation
24 Dodgingtown Road
Bethel, CT 06801
203-743-4557 * faithformation@stmarybethel.org * stmarybethel.org
Dear Parents,
Welcome to St. Mary Faith Formation 2026-27. Know that we pray every day for your children.
Faith Formation Classes Grade K - Grade 6
We will begin classes on September 22, 2026. We do have rolling registrations so if your first-choice class is filled we will alert you immediately and help to find your student a spot. Anyone registering after September 1, 2026 will be assessed a $50 late fee and must register in person. We will begin with a brief parent meeting in the Church on each start date. Students will go to their class with their teachers following the meeting.
The first day of class will be:
Tuesday, September 22nd – 4:30-5:45pm
Thursday, September 24th – 4:30-5:45pm
Sunday, September 27th – 9:30-10:45am
Sacramental Preparation - Registration will only be held at the
Mandatory, in person Parent/Child Meeting on the following Dates:
First Reconciliation Grade 2
First Reconciliation will be celebrated in Grade 2 for those students that completed Grade 1. They will attend a regular year religious education class in addition to a retreat and practice. A mandatory Parent & Child meeting will be held on October 5, 2026, 6:30pm in the Church.
First Communion Grade 3
First Communion will be celebrated in Grade 3 for those students that completed Grade 1 & 2. They will attend a regular year religious education class in addition to four (4) sacramental preparation classes. A mandatory Parent & Child meeting will be held on October 7, 2026, 6:30pm in the Church.
Confirmation
Students will be Confirmed Spring 2027 if they have completed Grade 1-5. They will attend a regular year religious education class in addition to eight (8) Confirmation preparation classes, which will begin in Winter 2027 and run for 8 weeks. Each class must be attended.
The first day of class for the Confirmation Prep Classes will be Sunday, February 7, 2027, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. in the Church. A mandatory Parent & Child meeting will be held on October 14, 2026, 6:30pm in the Church.
Registration
We cannot accept a registration, online or paper, without full payment or call to make a payment plan with us before registering. If you have a 25-26 outstanding balance with us, that will need to be paid before accepting 26-27 registration.
Registration In Person
There are Registration Forms at the Religious Education office, the Rectory, and the Foyer of the Church in the Family Faith Center. You can pay by check, cash, or online at our website & leave the registration in the Religious Education secure dropbox, or in person with us by calling 203-743-4557 so we can set a time to meet.
Registration Online
Please see our website, stmarybethel.org/religious-education (below) to register via our online form. It will include a link for you to make payment online. If you already have an online giving account with us or if you are creating a new payment, please choose the RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FEES fund. Please choose a one time gift and put the students' names in the ITEMS ORDERING box, thank you.
Please consider volunteering as a catechist or aide; we are in need of extra volunteers for our drop off and pick up process as well as in classroom teachers.
We hope you have a wonderful summer filled with God’s blessings,
Mary Ferri, Director of Faith Formation
