The St. Pius X Religious Formation Program serves approximately 300 families, which includes 600 students from Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Religious Formation is not just for the preparation of the Sacraments. It is an on-going process that begins at home and continues in the parish Religious Formation Program. Gathering to worship with our faith community at the weekly celebration of the Eucharist is the essence of religious experience and the foundation of our faith journey.
All these elements together lived out, supported and encouraged by parents, are what shape our children. These elements are the formation of our Church.
Religious Formation is an ongoing process through the experience of development. Each year of learning builds upon the last. Therefore, the youth of our parish must enroll in Religious Formation classes each year.
At each grade level, specific themes are presented so that the program material is comprehensive, reinforced and experiential. When a child has not been enrolled for a particular year, major themes have been missed, and the flow of this material is altered. In instances such as these, a home study program will be necessary to bring the child up to grade level. This program will involve a parent working with the child using appropriate program texts and resource material. Should there be any questions or, if assistance is needed in presenting the material, the Religious Formation Office will address the needs. When the material has been completed, it must be returned to the Director of Religious Formation for review. Appropriate fees must be made up in accordance with the number of years missed.
The purpose of Religious Formation is to help the children grow in their understanding and practice of our faith. Our children do not grow alone in faith—they can only grow within a family. Therefore, it is expected that our young people will be joined by their families at Sunday Mass every week.
All children enrolled in the Religious Formation Program are expected to attend Mass weekly, even when they do not have a scheduled Religious Formation class. Being a part of the worshiping community at the weekly celebration of the Eucharist, together with the faith community, are the essence of Religious Formation and the foundation of our faith journey
Classes are held on Sunday mornings. The students are assigned a group based on which elementary school they attend. (Middle school will continue with this pattern.) Students attending Valley View or William Mason elementary schools are part of the Glory Group. Students attending Cedar Hill, Hilldale, or Woodmont elementary schools are part of the Praise Group.
Classes are held between masses on Sunday mornings from 10:30am - 11:30am. Families may attend any mass on Saturday or Sunday.
Reconciliation and First Eucharist
These significant sacraments of Initiation take place during 2nd grade. All families who register for these sacraments will be asked to play a special supporting role throughout the year. In addition to regular mass and class attendance, families are invited to attend a Jesus Day retreat, and to attend extra meetings and practice for sacramental and liturgical preparation.
Confirmation
In addition to class time, there is a mandatory retreat scheduled for Grade 8, and the candidate is required to take part in five (5) total service experiences between 7th and 8th grade, and to attend one(1) Youth Ministry meeting in 8th grade. Our parish will provide opportunities for service including, but not limited to: our Annual Crop Walk, Nativity Play, Santa Breakfast, and Souper Bowl of Caring. Additional service opportunities may be sought out by families and used for service experience credit. Families should check with catechists and the Religious Formation office for approvals.