Make-Up Work
In an effort to keep everyone caught up with the curriculum, this section will contain links to make-up work that should be completed in the event your child is absent. Our guideline is that ALL classes are made up using the links below.
Year 1 (Grade 9)
Class #1 (9/15/24) - Fr. Ricardo / Why is there Something Rather Than Nothing?
Class #2 (9/29/24): What the Hell Happened? Sin and its Consequences"
Class #3 (10/20/2024): God's Shocking and Unexpected Response To Sin
Class 3 Link
Class #4 (11/3/24) - Fr. Ricardo / Our Response
Class 4 Link
Class #5 (11/17/2024): Why is Everything So Messed Up 2.0?
Class #6 (12/8/2024): Speaker Oscar Rivera
Oscar Rivera Talk
Class #6 (1/5/2024) - The Gift of the Eucharist (Steve Lombardi)
Class #7 (1/26/2025): Teaching Mass
Class #9 (2/23/2025): TBA
Class #10 (3/9/2025): Prayer Workshop
Class #11 (3/23/2025): TBA
Class #12 (4/6/2025): Speaker / Ice Cream Social
Year 2 (Grade 10)
Class #1 (9/15/24): The Sacrament of Confirmation
Class #2 - (9/29/24) - Fr. Ricardo / Kerygma
Class #3 (10/20/24) - What it Means to Be A Catholic Adult?
Class #4 (11/3/24): Why is the Bible Relevant (Fr. Stephen)
Class #5 (11/17/2024): Why is Everything So Messed Up 2.0?
Class #6 (12/8/2024): Speaker Oscar Rivera
Class #7 (1/5/25): The Road to Emmaus (Bishop Barron)
Class #8 (1/21/25): Teaching Mass
Class #9 (2/23/25): TBA
Class #10 (4/6/25): Speaker / Ice Cream Social
Use the link below to register for the upcoming Faith Formation year:
Classes will be offered on Sunday evenings from 6:00 - 7:30 PM.
All 2nd year Confirmation students will be required to submit information during the school year. Parents will receive communications after the first class.
Confirmation Saint Name - Due TBD
Use the website below to help research what Saint name to choose for Confirmation:
Saint Website
Selected sponsors must be practicing confirmed Catholics.
They must provide an Affirmation form from the parish where they belong.
The form below is used by the Archdiocese of Hartford.
Sponsor Certificate Form
Welcome to St. Mary’s Faith Formation Program. One of the requirements for our students is to engage in both Faith and Service events during the Middle and High School years. The service and faith log form should be maintained throughout the year and handed in to the coordinator of your program. Below are guidelines by grade as well as descriptions of Faith and Service events.
Faith
Along with weekly Mass attendance, our church has a rich tradition of prayer and study. There are many offerings at St. Mary's and we encourage you to experience a variety of all that we offer. It is important that even after you are Confirmed you continue to grow in your faith. By participating in these events now, you will know what is available to continue to deepen your faith lives.
Service
Throughout your time in our youth program, you will share your time with our parish, the Catholic Church, and the community itself. This service reminds us that we are the hands and feet of Christ in the world. When you serve, you are taking part in a lifelong, Catholic tradition of sharing your time and talents with others. As Jesus said, “For the Son of Man also came not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45).
Guidelines By Grade
Students are asked to participate in events that strengthen their faith and events that serve others. The minimum guidelines by grade are outlined below.
7th Grade: Faith Event (2 hrs) + Service Event (3 hrs) = 5 hours
8th Grade: Faith Event (2 hrs) + Service Event (3 hrs) = 5 hours
9th Grade: Faith Event (5 hrs) + Service Event (5 hrs) = 10 hours
10th Grade: Faith/Service Event (5 hrs) + Mass Attendance (25 hrs)
Students are required to keep track of their own faith and service hours. You should maintain a log form throughout the year and hand it in on the last day of class. For each event, you must obtain a signature from an adult verifying that you participated in the event.
The events listed below are offered by the parish to enhance and strengthen our faith. Check the bulletin during the year for specific dates and time. You are encouraged to bring a friend and/or family to participate.
Adoration
Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Rosary on Saturday mornings
Lenten Taizé prayer service
Lenten Series
Advent Taize prayer service
Holy Day of Obligation Mass
Stations of the Cross during the season of Lent
Mass during the Holy Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and/or Holy Saturday
Steubenville East Youth Conference
Men’s Ministry on Saturday morning
The events listed below are events in our parish that may need volunteers. Check the bulletin for events during the year and contact the chair to see how you can help. Please note that you are strongly encouraged to diversify and serve in multiple areas.
Some examples include:
Women's Ministry event
Knights of Columbus breakfast (December)
Sunday Morning Coffees
Parish Tag Sale “Granny's Attic” (July/Aug)
St. Mary’s Carnival (June)
Vacation Bible School (June)
Altar Serve during the year
Help decorate for Christmas or Easter
Weed the gardens around the church
Music Ministry
Volunteer to make sandwiches for shelter
Make a dessert for Mercy Shelter (check bulletin for details)
Social Outreach Committee – help with monthly collection (see bulletin)
Christmas Giving Tree
Service in the Community
Any “free” service you do as an individual or as a group to help out the community in which we live. Some examples include:
Raking leaves
Handing out flyers
Clothing or food drives
Service projects
Helping with youth sports or youth groups
A parent or guardian must be present if a teen is volunteering with an outside organization. Below are organizations in the area:
Catholic Worker House, Hartford; [website] 860.724.7066
FoodShare, Bloomfield; (strict age requirement of 12 years old); Group Volunteering 860.286.9999; Individual Volunteering foodshare.volunteerhub.com
Gifts of Love, Avon; Group or individual (7th grade and up); [website] 860.676.2323
Governor's House Nursing & Rehibilitation Center, Simsbury; Group or individual (9th grade and up); 860.658.1018
House of Bread, Hartford; [website] 860.549.4188 Sisters of Saint Joseph
McLean Village, Simsbury; (9th grade and up); [website] 860.658.3725 or 860.658.3700
Mercy Shelter, Hartford; (monthly) Bake a dessert and/or buy fruit for the dinner. Drop-off in Magowan Center (check bulletin for dates);
Simsbury Food Closet, Simsbury; [website] 860.658.3200
Special Olympics (Winter Games)
Turkey Trot
Knights of Columbus Events (ice cream social, tootsie drive); contact Rich Farrell ([email protected])