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


Monday Mass
Starting on Monday, February 23rd, there will be Mass every Monday at 7:00 pm until the last Monday in lent, which is March 30th.

Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross will take place Monday to Friday 1/2 hour before Mass and Friday’s at 6:00 pm during Lent.

World Day of Prayer
Please join us for World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 6th at 7:00 pm in the Zion Pentecostal Zion Church. Linda Sheppard will be representing St. Stephens Parish. Fellowship will follow in the Annex.

Men's COR prayer group
The men's COR prayer group, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, will be meeting on Saturday, February 28th at 10:00 am in the downstairs meeting room. All are welcome.

St. Anne’s Guild
St. Anne’s Guild will be hosting the Rosary the second Monday of the month at 2:00 pm starting on March 9th. Everyone is welcome.

Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
Information on the drive to support the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is available on the Bulletin board at the church entrance for anyone wishing to make a personal donation.

2025 Financial statements
The 2025 Financial statements can be picked up at the church entrance.