2025-2026 Family Faith Formation (Religious Education)
This year, St. Mary’s in Bloomington, St. Clement in Lancaster, and Ss. Andrew-Thomas and St. Charles will host religious education nights once a month. The evening will begin at 6 pm - 6:30 pm with a meal. Then, from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Fr. Mark will give a lesson to parents, Fr. Sudhakar will teach 2nd grade for first reconciliation/first holy communion, and Fr. Steve will teach 7th and 8th graders. The other grade levels will be taught by catechists. This style of religious education is called “Family Faith Formation,” and the goal is to teach both adults and children, with Fr. Mark equipping parents to hand on the faith to their children at home. Technically, the “Family Faith Formation” curriculum is intended for grades K-6, and Fr. Steve will be teaching a different curriculum to the 7th and 8th graders.
Families with a son or a daughter who will receive his/her First Holy Communion this spring are reminded to attend the First Communion Orientation meeting on Wednesday, January 21, from 6:00 -7:30
at St. Clement Church, Lancaster. Please bring a Bible with you.
Families are asked to attend class one evening each month (usually the fourth Wednesday) from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (a meal will be provided for the family). The rest of the month, you will work through the materials as a family at home. Your home is the Domestic Church. It is where families live out the faith daily.
All parents with a child(ren) who will be preparing for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion are required to attend a meeting at the St. Clement dining Hall from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21.
TEC Retreat What is TEC? TEC (Together Encountering Christ) is an experience in Catholic Christian living, especially designed for adults and young people ages 15 and up