Religious Education

St. Stephen’s Home Based Religious Education Programs

Here at St. Stephen’s Parish, we are very blessed to have a full-time coordinator and 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


Office Closedn
The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, September 30th, 2024 in recognition of “National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.”

Parish Priest
The Parish Priest will be away on retreat from Monday, October 8th to Friday, October 11th. There will be NO week day masses during this week.

Belvedere Orphanage Fund Inc
Each year the Board of Directors of the Belvedere Orphanage Fund Inc. informs parishes of the availability of assistance from the Fund for orphans/half-orphans who are in need. Applications are available at the Parish Office. More information can be found on the Bulletin Board at the Church entrance.

Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus will be having their Council meeting on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 at 8:00 pm.

Parkinson’s Support Group
The Parkinson’s Support Group will be meeting on Sunday, October 6th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Knights of Columbus Building. Care partners, family members and home care workers are welcome to attend.

Food Bank
Once again, we are asking for donations to our local food bank. As part of our Thanksgiving service we have a table in front of the Church where we ask you to place your charitable donations. We will be collecting up to October 14th. Thank you for your kindness.

Praying of the Rosary
Tuesday to Friday, praying of the Rosary will start 1/2 hour before Mass.

St. Stephen’s Parish
St. Stephen’s Parish is opened daily from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm for private prayer.

Volunteers
We are recruiting volunteers. A description of the different ministries can be found on the table at the Church entrance. Please take a copy and consider offering your services.