CHILDREN'S, YOUTH & family faith formation

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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is Saint Cecilia’s Montessori-based Faith Formation program for preschool children (age 3) up through First Grade. Children and catechists meet during the 9:30am Mass. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program operates on a belief that the very young child has been in a relationship with God since birth. Therefore, the work of the catechist is to simply support that relationship as it grows. 

Fall 2026 Dates - during 9:30 am mass:

• October 11, 25
• November 8, 22
• December 13, 27

Liturgy of the Word is offered during the second and fourth Sundays of the month from October to May. Students are dismissed just prior to the Liturgy of the Word and return for communion.  We read the same scriptures as the adults but from a children’s lectionary. The children express their thoughts and ideas with the simple promptings, “What did you hear God telling us today?” All children attending Mass are welcome to join us. 

Fall 2026 Dates - during 9:30 am mass:

• October 11, 25
• November 8, 22
• December 13, 27

Confirmation Prep will be held in 2026-27 for students in 8th & 9th grade as well as for those who are older but who have not received yet. Confirmation will meet two Wednesdays a month from 5:30-7:30pm, starting with our first Whole Community Wednesday on October 7.

Peer Ministry is a leadership opportunity for post-Confirmation students to work alongside the Confirmation catechist and help guide Confirmation candidates through their faith formation process.

Peer Ministers will meet every other week on Sunday evenings from 6:00–7:30 p.m. to prepare for their role in the upcoming Confirmation class. The commitment is approximately four meetings per month: two Peer Ministry preparation meetings and two Confirmation class sessions.

During Sunday meetings, Peer Ministers will:

• Build community and get to know one another
• Prepare for the upcoming Confirmation lesson
• Learn and discuss the content they will be sharing
• Develop leadership skills
• Have fun and enjoy time together

On Wednesday evenings, Peer Ministers will work with the catechist and Confirmation candidates by helping lead activities, discussions, and other parts of the formation experience. 

Schedule:

• Peer Minister Meetings: Sundays, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
• Confirmation Classes: Wednesdays, 5:30–8:00 p.m.

We follow a Whole Community Wednesday (WCW) model, which offers inter-generational formation activities for all members of our parish. We gather the first Wednesday of every month from October to May. We begin the session with prayer and a shared meal then follow with a large group activity. This may include discussion about a relevant topic, a service project, or a community building activity. 

For 2026, Whole Community Wednesdays start October 7 with a meal at 5:30 pm. 

Additional dates: November 4 and December 2.