Religious Education

St. Stephen’s Home Based Religious Education Programs

Here at St. Stephen’s Parish, we are very blessed to have a home-based Religious Education Program offered to our children from kindergarten to level one. This program gives families an opportunity to share the Catholic faith, experience a faith community, and witness the Good News of Jesus Christ to others. The program is based on the teachings of the Catholic Church.

This is an opportunity to bring families together to share their faith and to become part of a faith community. To empower the family by being a witness to the Good News and to pass on the Catholic teaching of the Church. Since the Catholic Religion is no longer taught in the regular school system; the parish and the family work together to share and experience the faith.

Programs are available for ages 5-16 years. This includes preparation for the sacraments of First Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation at the appropriate age.

Please see below for more information.

Diocesan Guidelines for Catechetical Formation and Sacramental Preparation:
In consultation with the Priests, Directors of Parish Life, and Parish Catechists of the diocese the following guidelines have been promulgated to take effect as of September 2016:

Catechetical Curriculum:
Allelu, a family-based program for children age five; Alive in Christ, a family-based program for children aged six to eleven.

First Reconciliation/First Communion Preparation:
Minimum age: 7 years
Minimum faith formation prep: 2 year program

Confirmation:
Minimum age: 13 years;
Minimum faith formation prep: 2 years

More information regarding these guidelines may be found under Policies at www.rcchurch.com

Each family follows a three-tier approach; attending weekly mass, meet as a faith community once a month, and completing the program at home.

In our parish, preparation for Confirmation involves two years. There is a pre-confirmation program (for mostly grade Sevens) in the first year of preparation and a Confirmation program (mostly for grade eight) during the second year. Each year involves about eight sessions. At the end of the second year, Confirmation candidates will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation during Mass Celebration.


PDF IconRegistration Form for Religious Education

PDF IconRegistration Form for Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation

PDF IconBaptism Application - St. Stephen's Parish


Parkinson’s Support Group
The Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Sunday, November 2nd, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Knights of Columbus building. Care partners, family members and home support workers are welcome to attend.

Knights of Columbus
There will be a Knights of Columbus Council meeting on Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 pm

Mass of Remembrance
There will be a Mass of Remembrance on Tuesday, November 18th at 7:00 pm in Remembrance of family members who have passed between November 15th, 2024 and November 18th, 2025.The names of those who have passed during the year will be printed on the program and read aloud at this special Mass.

If you have family members who have died within the past year and resided in a different community, you may call the Parish Office at 709-643-2523 to register their names.

We invite prayers for all our beloved family and friends who have passed regardless of their religion in life. Cards will be available at the back of the Church for the names of loved ones who have passed previous to November 18th. These cards will be presented at the altar during this Mass. A goodwill offering will be at your personal discretion.

Sister Teresa Divine
We regret to announce the death of Sister Teresa Divine, PBVM. Please pray for Sister Teresa Divine, her family and the Presentation Sisters of Newfoundland.