At St. Teresa of Avila, we offer a variety of children’s catechesis opportunities to meet a variety of needs and schedules.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori approach to Religious Education. The program is rich in education around Liturgy and Bible. Good Shepherd has three multi-age levels for children beginning at age 3 through 6th grade. Each level builds progressively on the next. For more information, please visit the Good Shepherd website www.cgsusa.org or read our newsletter archives.
Sacrament Preparation
First Reconciliation – This sacrament is usually received in the second grade. Children and parents go through a formation process as a group prior to sacrament reception. Parental involvement is a very important part of the preparation process.
First Communion – This sacrament is also generally received in the second grade, after receiving First Reconciliation. There is a two year catechesis requirement prior to receiving the sacrament. Children and parents go through a formation process prior to receiving the sacrament.
Confirmation – Confirmation is only to be received after the child makes the decision to be confirmed. This can happen any time in 8th grade or high school. After High School, anyone seeking Confirmation is prepared through the Adult Confirmation process. Confirmation preparation for young adolescents is incorporated in St. Teresa’s EDGE Catholic Middle School Youth Ministry program. Click here to read more.
EDGE Catholic Middle School Youth Ministry
The EDGE is St. Teresa’s program serving 7th and 8th graders. The EDGE is a fun-filled youth ministry experience which includes Catholic faith formation, Confirmation preparation, learning practical life skills and community service. Click here to read more.
QUEST Catholic High School Youth Ministry
QUEST is St. Teresa’s youth ministry for high school students (9th through 12th grade). QUEST generally meets twice a month during the school year for meals, community-building activities, faith-based discussions, and service projects.
SPRED
SPRED is a spiritual ministry that assists people in parishes to integrate those with special needs (developmental or learning disabilities) into parish assemblies of worship through the process of religious development. SPRED communities are based on age group (6-10, 11-16, 17-21, and 22+). At St. Teresa of Avila, we have a SPRED community for 11-16 year olds with eight catechists and six friends. Together, as a small faith community, we learn about what Jesus means to us and what it means to be holy. Our evenings together are very sacred and begin with simple activities that we work on individually to calm our senses. After our quiet activity time, we move into the celebration room where we hear the Word of God and listen to our special message for the evening. Our SPRED night concludes with a shared meal, Agape. We are all very thankful to spend this special time with one another on Tuesday nights at St. Teresa!
Children’s Liturgy of the Word
During our 9:00 am Sunday mass, children are dismissed to celebrate the Liturgy of the Word in a more child-friendly atmosphere. The children, with the assistance of adult leaders, read the scriptures for the day and have a reflection or activity that is on a level that they can understand and carry in their hearts. Children’s Liturgy of the Word is generally offered every Sunday during the school year except on the first Sunday of the month when we celebrate a special Children’s Participation Mass at 9:00 am. These masses offer children and families the opportunity to worship all together and within the whole community. We invite children to serve at these masses in various ways, such as greeters, lectors, and gift-bearers.
