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


Men's COR Group
The Men's COR group will be meeting on Saturday, April 25th at 10:00 am. This prayer group is open to men from the parish.

Knights Of Columbus
The Knights Of Columbus is hosting a fundraiser in support of Our Lady of Mercy Heritage Restoration Fund. A live band and dancing featuring Kacie Callahan and the Jazz Apostles will take place on Friday, May 1st at 8:00 pm in the Santa Maria Club. Tickets are available at Arlims, Debbie’s Video and Elaines Variety for $20 or call 709-649-9187 to reserve.

May as Mary’s Month
In recognition of the month of May as Mary’s month the Knights of Columbus is praying the Rosary on Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm starting on Sunday, May 3rd. All are welcome.

Parkinson Support Group
The Parkinson Support Group will be meeting on Sunday, May 3rd in the Knights of Columbus Building from 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. Care partners, family members and home care workers are welcome to attend.

Palliative Care Association Conference
The Newfoundland and Labrador Palliative Care Association Conference will take place in St. Johns, NL on May 21st and 22nd. Registration information can be found on the bulletin board at the Church entrance for those wishing to attend.