Director of Lifelong Faith Formation: Aaron Giard / 978-462-2724 x 405 / agiard@hriccatholic.org

Assistant to Lifelong Faith Formation: Melinda Burrell / 978-462-2724 x 420 / burrell@hriccatholic.org

All volunteers need to fill out a CORI Form before assisting with children. Download the 2025 form here.

2024-2025 Holy Redeemer Parish

Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation

(For 2nd Grade & Confirmation Preparation, scroll down to "Sacramental Prep" below)

2024-2025 K-1st; 3rd-9th Grade Faith Formation

First Day: Sunday, September 22nd; after 9:00 AM Mass (~10 AM) - 11:15 AM

Immaculate Conception Pastoral Center, Newburyport

w/ Parent Meeting in St. Louis Hall

Faith Formation at our Collaborative is set up to involve both parish volunteer catechists and parents in the formation of your children in the Catholic faith. Our Church has always understood that there is no substitute for the role of parents in passing on faith and devotion to their children.

Respecting your role and the importance of learning from trained catechists, Faith Formation meets every other week in person at the Pastoral Center in Newburyport and every other week in your homes. As your children get older (6th-8th Grade), they might have assignments that they perform more on their own, but they will likely still have assignments when not in person. 

During at-home weeks, we will communicate assignments via Flocknote, our communication software. 

All of the above will be explained in detail at our Parent Meeting on Sept. 22nd, so please attend.

NOTE for 8th & 9th Grade: If your child has received Faith Formation in recent years (6th - 8th Grade), he/she is ready for preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation (see Confirmation Prep schedules below Faith Formation). If your child has not received Faith Formation recently, please sign him/her up for Faith Formation and follow the schedule below.

2024-2025 K-1st; 3rd-9th Grade Faith Formation Schedule

Sundays after the 9:00 AM Mass (~10:00 AM - 11:20 AM)

Immaculate Conception Pastoral Center, Newburyport

To register your child, please fill out an online form HERE

Sacramental Preparation

First Reconciliation Prep (2nd Grade)

(2nd graders prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation before First Holy Communion)

First Day and Special Parent Meeting (Public School) for First Reconciliation

Sunday, Sept. 22nd @ 10:05 (after Mass) - 11:20 AM

Immaculate Conception Parish

Sacramental Preparation at our Collaborative is set up to involve both parish volunteer catechists and parents. Our Church has always understood that there is no substitute for the role of parents in passing on faith and devotion to the sacraments to their children.

Respecting your role and the importance of learning from trained catechists, 2nd grade meets every other week in person at the Pastoral Center in Newburyport and every other week in your homes. We will be using a great new curriculum this year from Ascension Press that can be accessed online.

Additionally, we have parents meeting in our dining room every in-person Sunday at IC for fellowship and discussion while your children are in class.

First Reconciliation Preparation (catechesis) will begin for Public School children on September 22nd and will take place nearly every Sunday (in person or at home) until December 22nd. There are 12 sessions for First Reconciliation before the sacrament six completed in person, six at home.

First Reconciliation Prep Schedule

First Reconciliation Penance Services: 

First Holy Communion Prep (2nd Grade)

Special Parent Meeting (Public School) for First Communion: 

Sunday, January 12th @ 10:05 (after 9:00 AM Mass) - 11:20 AM

First Communion Preparation (catechesis) will begin for Public School children on January 14th and will take place each Sunday (in person or at home) until Mar 30th. There are 12 lessons for First Communion before the sacrament, six completed in person, six at home. There are also two additional essential gatherings:

1. First Communion Church Tour: Sunday, February 2nd @ 12:40 - 2:15 PM
2. First Communion Retreat: Sunday, April 6th @ 12:35 (after 11:30 AM Mass) - 2 PM

First Communion Prep Schedule

First Holy Communion Masses (registration for Masses will open mid-October):

To register your child for Sacramental Prep, please fill out an online form HERE

Confirmation Preparation

8th-10th Grade

As you might be aware, Cardinal O’Malley, our Archbishop, has changed the age for Confirmation from 10th/11th Grade to 8th Grade. This will take awhile to transition to, but some of you might have children entering 8th grade who are ready for Confirmation this year. 

If your child is entering the 8th grade and has received Faith Formation in recent years (6th & 7th Grade), please register him/her for Confirmation Preparation. If your child has not received recent Faith Formation, he/she will take a "refresher" class this year and Confirmation Prep and the sacrament itself next year. If this is the case, please scroll up and see the Faith Formation schedule at the top of this page and fill out the Registration Form for K-9th Grade Faith Formation. 

8th & 9th Grade Parent-Candidate Information Meeting

• Day/time: Thursday, Sept. 5th @ 6:15 PM
• Location: IC School Gym
• Who? This meeting is for all candidates who are beginning Confirmation Prep this Fall, and their parents. This includes
  • Incoming ICS 8th graders,
  • Public school 8th graders who have received recent Faith Formation
  • All 9th graders who have received recent Faith Formation and
  • 10th grade Catholic School students.
• By “recent Faith Formation”, we are looking for at least the last two years of Faith Formation. 

Sponsor-Candidate Meeting 

• Day/time(s): Sunday, Sept. 22nd @ 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
• Location: IC School Gym
• Who? For all 8th-10th Graders who will be Confirmed in Winter or Spring 2025
• NOTE: Begin discerning/asking for a Sponsor ASAP This person must be a practicing, confirmed Catholic in good standing. He/she cannot be a parent or guardian. He/she ought not be picked because of a close relationship with the candidate, but because this person inspires the candidate to be a better Catholic and grow in faith, hope and love.

8th & 9th Grade Catechesis Schedule 

Sunday Mornings: 10:05 - 11:25 AM @ Immaculate Conception, Newburyport

10th Grade Catechesis Schedule

There are two options for time/location:

Sunday Afternoons: 3:30 - 5:00 PM @ Immaculate Conception, Newburyport

OR

Sunday Evenings: 6:30 - 8:00 PM @ Nativity, Merrimac

To register, please fill out an online form HERE and scroll down to the Confirmation Prep form.