St. Mary's Religious Education Ministry provides opportunities for formation, evangelization and catechesis to all parishioners and potential parishioners, of St. Mary's Parish to help them develop their spiritual relationship with Christ while forming a Christian Catholic Parish Community.

All Religious Education Ministries:

Welcome all children, youth, teens and adults and embrace them into the parish community, liturgy and service.

Assist children, youth, teens and adults to identify their experience of God.

Pray with children, youth, teens and adults using a variety of prayer forms appropriate to their age level and provide retreat experiences.

Foster an appreciation for, and knowledge of, our Catholic Faith, Tradition, and Theology.

Jesus is the center, source and content of catechesis.

Catechesis is a life-long process which enables us to grow continually in our personal relationship with Jesus through the Father in the Holy Spirit. The presentation of the truths of faith is adapted to the needs of each individual.

Catechesis is holistic and embraces the entire person helping us to know Christ in mind and heart.

Catechesis is an important part of all parish activity which includes four interrelated dimensions: proclamation of the message, the development of the community, the celebration of worship and the ministry of service.

All parishioners should perceive themselves involved in a team effort to help individuals at every stage of growth to development into adult believers.

St. Mary's Religious Education Ministries recognize and support parents as the primary educators of their children, youth and teens.

By participating in Sunday Liturgy, religious education programs and parish activities, children, youth and teens acquire a sense of belonging to St. Mary's Roman Catholic community.

Catechist Formation is available for catechists and aides through diocesan meetings, workshops and classes as well as at parish meetings.

Adult Religious Education

Adult formation is always offered to parents of children/youth celebrating the Sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation.

In general, for parents of children, youth pre-level 12, we offer two Parent Gathering sessions per year while the children/youth are in class.

The Gathering Sessions invite adults to engage in meaningful conversation that encourages conversion and a deeper relationship with Christ and a closer connection to our parish.

This year the schedule for Session One, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray" is:

Parent Gathering Sessions

This ministry meets the first and third Sunday of each month in the evening. The program:

• provides opportunities for our teens to deepen their faith through study and discussion
• Creates a supportive and nurturing peer community that encourages and empowers our teens to become active members of St. Mary's community in various ministries
• provides opportunities to socialize and worship with other Catholic teens of our diocese.

This program meets on the second and fourth Sunday each month. The program:

• prepares youth for celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation
• nurtures and supports our young people in the discovery of their own Catholic identity and spirituality.

Children learn with a catechist at the Religious Education Center 2 times a month:

Track 1: meets 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month from 10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
            September to May.  [Meets same day as Sr. High Ministry.]

Track 2: meets 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month from 10:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
            September to April. [Meets same day as Jr. High Ministry.]

Level 2 prepares for and celebrates First Reconciliation.

Level 3 prepares for and celebrates First Eucharist.

Registration forms for the following year are mailed in May.

Preparing for the Sacraments:  Program Schedule

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Liturgy is the source and summit of our Catholic life from which all christian living flows.  In order to serve the needs and rights of children to hear God's Word in language they can understand, we offer Children's Liturgy of the word within the 9 a.m. Liturgy.

Children's Liturgy of the Word celebrates the Liturgy of the Word at a child's level and is offered for children ages 5-10 (K-level 5).  All families begin the celebration of the Sunday Liturgy together. After the opening prayer, children (K-5) are invited to process to the Religious Ed. Center to continue the celebration of the Liturgy of the Word at their own level. After the Prayer of the Faithful, they return to their families in the assembly and continue the Liturgy of the Eucharist with their families. The children will rreceive leaftlets about the current Sunday's Liturgy of the Word.

Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered within the 9 a.m. Mass year round.

Introduction to Family Liturgies

Liturgy means work of the people.  Family Liturgies give children & families the opportuity to do the 'work' by composing the prayer of the faithful, greeting people as they come to liturgy, bringing up the gifts, having a dialogue homily with Msgr. and handing out the bulletins.

Family Liturgies

       *  To attend Preschool the children must be age 4 by August 31st.

VBS is usually held the first full week in August, Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-12 noon.  Every summer, the theme is different. VBS includes drama, scripture, music, crafts, saints, science, games and snacks.  VBS is for Preschool (age 4 by end of August) through level 5.  Youth entering 6th level and up are invited to be an aide or join the teen drama group.

VBS for 2010 will be August 2-6, 2010.  Our program is called "Baobab Blast: God's Great Get-Together." Our theme is Catholic Community. Join us at the sanctuary of the savannah in Africa!

Registration forms will be available the beginning of May, 2010.

In the Home-Based program, the focus is on the family with a balance of faith sharing, catechesis, worship, service and community. Families learn together weekly using the same material used in the Center-based program. All families meet together for an intergenerational gathering monthly, September to May, unless a service project or parent formation is scheduled.

Whole Group Activities

Since our parish covers a large territory and we do not have a Catholic School, our children in Catholic School attend the schools to which transportation is available through the local public school district or through private transportation.

Click here to see the list of all available Catholic Schools in the area.

This program for adults interested in becoming Catholics or interested in learning about the teachings of the Catholic Church is offered on a regular basis each year. It is year-round.

This is a family centered program. The program was developed for children interested in joining the Catholic Church or children who have not received the sacraments with their classmates or who have not participated with other children of their age in catechetical programs. Parents are expected to participate along with their children.

Parents who request Baptism for their child must first attend a Baptism Workshop. There are two sessions for parents who are having their first child baptized, one session if they have had other children baptized and attended a workshop before. Sessions are scheduled every 6-8 weeks year round. The sessions last at least one hour, no more than one and one-half hours.  Baptisms are celebrated within the 11 a.m. Mass every 3rd Sunday except during Lent. Call Ann Pirnot at 610-683-6454 to register or if you have any questions.

 Information on Baptismal Preparation

Once a year St. Mary's hosts the Allentown Diocese Marriage Preparation Dialogues. This program is designed to help couples to prepare for their commitment to marriage. Marriage team couples share their time and experience with other couples anticipating marriage.

This group meets twice a month on Sundays from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the Parish Center. The group studies one book of the bible at a time. The book to be studied is selected by the group.

Moms & Tots meets on a weekday morning at the convenience of the group at the Religious Education Center.  It is a great way to meet other parents who have young children, have some adult conversation and feed your soul by reflecting on the Sunday Gospel.  Dads who are home with young children are welcome.  Supervised play for young children is in Room 120 for a small fee.  Babies, toddlers, and preschoolers who need Mom or Dad, stay with us.  If you have any questions, call Ann at 610-683-6454.

This group studies various social problems affecting our local communities and world-wide social problems. They educate our parish community to these problems using various resources, e.g., speakers, displays, presentations, suggesting action to address these problems.

This group studies life issues and educates the parish on the various developments affecting "life". They join with other groups and try to make public the injustices against life. They encourage prayer and other programs that can benefit persons in difficult circumstances. They educate our parishioners about the various possibilities to address these concerns and encourage action when appropriate.