The St. Pius X Religious Formation Program serves approximately 600 families, which includes 800 students from Pre-K thru 10th 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 future 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.
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 worshipping 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 alternating 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.
Pre-Kindergarten – Kindergarten classes are held during the 9:00 AM Mass from 9:00 to 9:50 AM.
Grades 1 thru 5 - Parents are to attend 9:30 AM Mass with their children. Immediately following Church, parents will walk their children to their classroom. Instruction ends at 11:30 AM, with parents picking up their children in the classroom.
Grades 6 – 8 - will meet on alternating Sunday mornings according to group. Classes begin with the 7:30 AM Mass and conclude at 9:30 AM.
Classes meet on Sunday mornings beginning with either the 7:30 or 9:30 am Mass and conclude at 9:30 and 11:30 am. Please check with your teacher for time of class. In addition to class time, there is a mandatory retreat scheduled for Grade 9, and the candidate is required to take part in 3 service experiences per year (6 total).