About Second Year
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For baptized students who have successfully completed their first year of preparation and are in 2nd or 3rd grade in school.
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Program OverviewChildren in their second or third grade in elementary school who have successfully completed their first year of formation attend Second Year religious education classes on a weekly basis, typically beginning in October and ending in May. The curriculum focuses on how Jesus shares in God’s life, following Jesus and his laws, being sorry, being forgiven, examining their conscience, etc. They are prepared to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and are examined for their readiness. They add the Act of Contrition to their list of learned prayers.
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Program Requirements
- Children attend a total of 26 sessions throughout the catechetical year.
- To successfully complete the year children may have no more than 5 absences.
- Any more than 5 absences and the child will be dropped from the program.
- All students are required to attend a Protecting God’s Children® course conducted during regular class time. Parents sign a Code of Conduct.
- Children must also attend a Reconciliation Retreat with their parent(s) and they will be evaluated prior to receiving the sacrament.
- A transfer letter and birth and baptism certificates are required if the child completed first year at another parish.
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Required Parent Meetings
All parents should be attending Mass on a weekly basis. Second Year Parents attend the following:
1. Parent/Child Reconciliation Retreat—child’s class will be assigned a date.
2. One Adult Faith Formation—Dates vary -you select from list provided at time of registration.
Reconciliation Ceremony dates will be announced at the retreat. Non attendance at the required meetings may cause receipt of the sacrament to be postponed. -
St. Paul the Apostle......has a three year process for receiving the Sacrament of Eucharist for children this age:
- First Year—basic faith formation. Learning prayers: Sign of the Cross, Hail Mary, Our Father, Glory Be.
- Second Year—for those in 2nd or 3rd grade in school. Focus is on forgiveness, sin, reconciliation. Child learns the Act of Contrition and is evaluated for readiness to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Child/Parent attend a Reconciliation Retreat. Child receives the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
- Third Year—focus is on God’s love and the Sacrament of Eucharist (first communion). Child learns the Nicene Creed; Child/parent attend a Eucharist Retreat. Child receives Sacrament of Eucharist
St. Paul the Apostle has ongoing faith formation for all grade levels for those who wish to continue their spiritual journey with Christ.