Saint Mary of Sorrows -- Fairfax Station, VA 
St. Mary of Sorrows is a caring Catholic community dedicated to living the Gospel of Jesus Christ
We

Listen to the Word of God;

Draw our life from the Liturgy;

Promote the sanctity of Life;

Proclaim the good news of the Gospel;

Serve others in a spirit of truth;

Nourish through education;

Commit ourselves to proclaiming and promoting social justice.

 St. Mary’s Religious Education

Goal:    to form children and adults in the Catholic faith so that they can understand and

             live fully what they profess.

St. Mary’s Religious Education Staff

Peg Telesca, Director of Religious Education (Grades K, 3-6,Family Program,

                      Adult Education)

Esther Silva, Coordinator Grades 1&2 (First Sacraments), Registrar.

Toni Haaland, Coordinator Grades 7 &8 (Confirmation).

 Children and adults are invited to grow into discipleship:

 by hearing about Jesus and His teaching in a systematic and age appropriate manner.

 by participating in and learning about the liturgy and sacraments of the Church.

 by learning what Jesus taught about living a moral life and the implications

                     of those teachings in everyday experience.

 by learning to pray with Christ in community and privately

 by participating in the life and mission of the Church through participation in parish  social outreach projects

       adapted from the National Directory for Catechesis

Grades K-6

Classes meet weekly September through May. Volunteer catechists teach a curriculum developed by Sadlier Publishing in compliance with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  We Believe features solid faith content with age appropriate activities that take into account how children learn.

First Penance and First Communion

Children usually receive the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist in the 2^nd Grade.

In addition to the weekly RE classes, parents prepare children for the sacraments with

at home workbooks and attend two two-hour retreats with the child in immediate preparation for the sacraments.  There are also Parents’ Sacramental Update sessions

which are held on two evenings in fall (Penance) and one evening in the spring (Eucharist).

 K-6 Grade Class Offerings 2006-07

*Sunday mornings 9:00-10:15; 10:45-12:00pm; and 12:30-1:45pm

  Monday afternoons: 2:00-3:15; 3:45-5:00pm

  Tuesday                    4:45-6:00pm; 6:30-7:45pm

  Wednesday               4:45pm

   *Kindergarten class only offered at 12:30 pm on Sundays

  Students are placed in class by date of registration.

  Classes are open to families of St. Mary’s parishioners only.               

Family Program

Groups of 6-8 parish families who have chosen the Family Program option meet in parish homes on Sunday mornings to learn and pray together.  The adults of the group assume responsibility for instruction of the children in peer groups with age-appropriate  materials and planning other activities of the family group.  There is an intergenerational activity planned on a bi-monthly basis. All groups are involved with the social outreach ministry of the parish. Instructional materials and planning guides are provided by the Religious Education Office.

Vacation Bible School

A weeklong program for elementary age children is offered in the summer.

For 2006 SonTreasure will be offered July 31-Aug 4 from 9:00am-12:00 at the Parish Center.  Download a registration form from the website. Registration is limited to 125 children because of space limitations.  Participants must be part of registered households

Children of volunteers get priority placement.

Confirmation Grades 7-8

Middle school students begin Confirmation preparation with a program based on the

Image of God series (Ignatius Press). Guest speakers and opportunities for developing a deeper understanding of the sacraments and Catholic moral teaching are features of the program. Students must be enrolled for the 7^th and 8^th Grade year in order to be confirmed in the spring of 8^th Grade. Preparation includes participation in

v     7^th and 8^th Grade R.E. sessions (only 3 unexcused absences each year).

v     Confirmation Service hours to total 30 hours over 2 years.

v     Weekend Retreat during the second year.

v     Successful interview with member of parish staff.

Confirmation Classes Grades 7&8

Grade 7      Sunday at 4-5:15pm; Wednesday 6:30-7:45pm

Grade 8      Sunday 6:30-8:00pm

High School Confirmation

Students of high school age who have not been confirmed may enroll in a class for

high school youth generally taught on Sundays during the school year.

The same participation requirements for Confirmation  candidates apply.

Call Toni Haaland in the Religious Education office for more information.

Christian Initiation for Children Grades 3-6

If your child is age 7 or older and has not been baptized or if your child is

4^th Grade or older and has not received the Sacraments of Eucharist and/or Penance,

you and your child are invited to participate in the RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children).  The group meets Sunday mornings at 9:00am starting in September.

How to Register for Religious Education Classes

Registration Forms are available at the Parish Center in the Religious Education Office.

All children from a family are registered on a single form. There are directions as to choice of program, day and time on the form.  An emergency care form must be completed for each child attending classes at the Parish Center.  Registration is not complete until all forms are presented. Registration and emergency care forms are available for download at this site.  We are not equipped for on-line registration at this time.

Religious Education Fees

The tuition for one child in the program is $100.00 for the year. For two or more children $120. Religious Education classes are open to all parish children regardless of the ability to pay the fee.