REP Programs

St. Mary's Parish has registration for Religious Education in May for the following fall (see Forms page).  The program includes students in grades 1-8 and an additional program for High School students who have not received the sacrament of Confirmation.  For more information or to register your child for one of the programs below, call the Religious Education Office at 597-7600.

Communion

St. Mary's Parish celebrates Reconciliation (First Penance) and First Communion in the Second Grade.  Before a student can enter Second Grade they must have attended First Grade either here or in another parish.  The child must obtain a transfer from their former parish when transfering to St. Mary's.  All students must know the Sign of the Cross, the Hail Mary and the Our Father before entering Second Grade.  Prayer testing occurs in August at the REP Building.  Each student must submit a completed parent pledge which can be obtained at the REP Office.

Coordinator: Maryann Pascale

Confirmation

St. Mary's Parish celebrates Confirmation in the eighth grade.  Confirmation is a two year program which begins in seventh grade.  In order to enter First Year Confirmation students must have attended sixth grade either here or in another parish.  Students  entering First Year Confirmation from another parish must first obtain a transfer.  ANY student who has not attended Religious Education classes for two or more years must attend our Catch Up Program before entering First Year Confirmation.  All sixth grade students must pass a sixth grade test and know the Act of Contrition and the Apostles Creed before entering First Year Confirmation.  Testing for prayers is scheduled in August.

Students in the First Year Confirmation Class are required to participate in the First Year Confirmation Mass, a class community service project, pass quizzes on basic Catholic doctrine, and pass a final test at the end of the year before being eligible for Second Year Confirmation.  Each student must submit a completed parent pledge which can be obtained at the REP Office.

Second Year Confirmation Students are required to participate in one retreat and five community service projects to be eligible for Confirmation.  The REP Program offers Student, Parent, Sponsor, and Morality Retreats.  Some examples of the community service projects we offer are charity volleyball, bowling, basketball games, car wash, and attendance at the Living Rosary.

First Year Coordinators: Sheila Grabowski and Ann Duff

 

Fatima Children's Program

This program provides Religious Education to the children of our parish who have special needs.

Classes are availabe Mondays from 4:30 to 5:15 pm

Coordinator: Sheila Grabowski

RCIA/CUP Program

The RCIA Program is for children who have not yet been baptized and are in first grade or higher.  The first year of this program is an introduction to the faith and the second year is preparation for Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion.  Students will receive all three of these Sacraments at the Easter Vigil at St. Mary's Church in Barnegat.  After the Easter Vigil, the students continue their Religious Education to prepare for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  The RCIA Program is incorporated with the C.U.P. Program which is for those children who are in third grade or higher, were baptized, and need to "catch-up" on their preparation for First Holy Communion and Reconciliation.  Students in this program attend Mass with their class and teacher until they graduate and enter our regular parish Religious Education Program.  Any student who misses two or more years of religious instruction will have to attend C.U.P. before entering the Confirmation Program.  C.U.P. is also a two-year program.

Classes are available Sunday Mornings.

Coordinator: Donnann Powers

High School Program

This program is for students in High School who have not received Confirmation.  Students who have not received Penance or Communion can also be prepared.  This is a two-year program.  The first year is a catch-up or introduction to faith and the second year is preparation for Confirmation.

Classes are available Tuesday Evenings

First Year Coordinator: Al Haldenwang

Second Year Coordinator: Geri Atzert

Home Study

This program is for students who are unable to attend classes due to parents' work schedules or the student's after school activities.  To get credit for Home Study, the student must be registered in the program, complete the book they are issued, and the completed book must be submitted to the REP Office.  The student must also pass a test at the end of the year before entering the next grade. Testing for this program is scheduled in August.