Religious Education for Children (CCD) – Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption

Welcome

Welcome to the Religious Education Program at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption. The goal of our program is to enhance the religious education you have already provided to your children and to ensure they have the proper formation to receive the Sacraments in a timely fashion.

We try to model and create an atmosphere for learning based on Christian values, and strive to teach the whole person by going beyond the intellectual and encouraging students to come to know and develop a personal and intimate relationship with Christ, Our Lord and Savior, along with a commitment of love and service to His Church. We believe that formal Religious Education is an essential part of a life-long process toward maturity in Christian Faith as a lived reality.

Summary of the Religious Education Programs

The Religious Education Program runs from Pre-Kindergarten through to the twelfth grade. Pre-Kindergarten and first graders begins with basic instructions of our Catholic Faith. Second graders commence the two-year First Communion II Program in preparation for the reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Fourth and Fifth grade students will continue deepening their knowledge of the Catholic Faith in their intermediate years prior to the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a process. Sixth graders are introduced to the Sacrament of Confirmation with the Pre-Confirmation Program, which focuses on the study of the Bible (Sacred Scriptures). Seventh graders participate in the Confirmation I Program, which promotes a deep focus on the Study of Christ (Christology). At the eighth grade level, students enter the Confirmation-II Program with an intense concentration on the Holy Spirit and the Sacrament of Confirmation.

High school students are encouraged to continue their Faith Formation beyond Confirmation. We begin with a two-year study of the Sacred Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments. Beyond these two years, we office a study of Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church (YOUCAT). YOUCAT was developed with the help of young Catholics, and written for high-school age people and young adults. YOUCAT is keyed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, so students can go deeper.

Location for Religious Education Classes

All Religious Education classes are held at the Convent at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption located at 211 North Warren Street in Trenton, New Jersey.

Registration

Students must register by August 23rd to take advantage of the special rates. After this date, registration fees will be at the regular rate. Please refer to the Religious Education Handbook for 2015-16 registration fees and class dates.

Open house registration is available during the summer months. You can also register by making an appointment with the Religious Education Office at 609-421-8163. Be sure to print and complete the registration form(s) in advance to ensure a smooth registration process. Links to the forms are available below.

Important Note: Registrations are not accepted after the second week of class.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

If you are thirteen years of age or older in need of receiving any of the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation), please refer to the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) page for additional information.

Welcome

Summary of the Religious Education Programs

Location for Religious Education Classes

Registration

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

Related Links, Forms, and Reference Documents