K-6th grade: Every other week from September-May.
A blended model in which parents and children work together. The online work is about engaging with information while the monthly gathered sessions put learning into practice in an informal and fun way. Service to the community and parish are a key component.
9th-12th grade: Weekly from October-May.
The group is fun and engaging with plenty of food and games but learning about our faith is our reason for gathering. We cover a lot of different topics that relate to our faith and how we are called to live our lives each day.
Begins in October and we celebrate First Reconciliation mid December. Preparation for First Reconciliation is solely about preparing the children to celebrate the sacrament of Penace/Confession and is separate from Religious Education. Diocesan guidelines state that children must be enrolled and participate in
a religious education program for one year prior to celebrating the sacrament.
First Reconciliation preparation is combined with families from St. Catherine of Siena which is also where preparation sessions take place. Parents attend sessions with their child and sessions run weekly (generally) utilizing sacrament preparation programs from Loyola Press. Celebration of the Sacrament is combined with and takes place at St. Catherine of Siena. Please contact Rich Rasmussen, Director of Multi-Parish Faith Formation, for more information.
March-May: Preparation for First Eucharist is solely about preparing the children to celebrate the sacrament of Communion and is separate from Religious Education. Diocesan guidelines state that children must be enrolled and participate in a religious education program for one year prior to celebrating the sacrament.
First Eucharist Preparation is combined with families from St. Catherine of Siena which is also where preparation sessions take place. Parents attend sessions with their child and sessions run weekly from February-mid-April (generally) utilizing sacrament preparation programs from Loyola Press. Although preparation sessions are combined with St. Catherine’s, each parish celebrates the sacrament on their own “First Eucharist Weekend.” This year’s celebration at Immaculate Conception will take place on Sunday, May 2nd, 2027, during the 10:30 a.m. Mass. Please contact Rich Rasmussen, Director of Multi-Parish Faith Formation, for more information.
No sooner than 8th grade: Confirmation is a reaffirmation of our Baptismal vows, where the candidate reaffirms and makes their own personal profession of their Baptismal promises.
Confirmation in the Diocese of Rochester is a two-year process beginning no sooner than eighth grade. Preparation sessions are combined with teens from St. Catherine of Siena, where the preparation sessions also take place. The program is divided into Year 1 and Year 2. Sessions for each group generally occur twice a month (every other week). Sessions begin in October and run through the first week of April. For those Year 2 candidates preparing to celebrate the sacrament, we generally hear from the bishop’s office by February of each year when and where Confirmation will be held for that year. Please check your email around that time for important information and updates. Please contact Rich Rasmussen, Director of Multi-Parish Faith Formation, for more information.