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.

2025-2026 K-1st; 3rd-7th Grade Faith Formation 

First Day: Sunday, September 21st; after 9:00 AM Mass (~10:05 AM - 11:20 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.

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

8th & 9th Grade: If your child has received Faith Formation in recent years, he/she is ready for preparation for Confirmation. If your child has not received Faith Formation recently, please reach out to me directly: agiard@hriccatholic.org.

2025-2026 Schedule

Sundays after the 9:00 AM Mass (~10:05 AM - 11:20 AM)

Immaculate Conception Pastoral Center, Newburyport

Sacramental Preparation

First Reconciliation Preparation (2nd Grade)

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

Sunday, Sept. 21st @ 10:05 (after 9:00 AM 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 will begin for Public School children on September 21st and will take place nearly every Sunday (in person or at home) until the end of December. There are 12 sessions for First Reconciliation before the sacrament.

NOTE: There will be a Tuesday after school (3:30 - 4:45 PM) group meeting this year as well. The Tuesday group will meet on the Tuesday after a Sunday In-person (see schedule below), with the exception of Tues. Nov 11th (Veteran's Day). This meeting will take place Nov. 4th instead, since Nov. 2nd is a special Sunday in person anyway. Please keep in mind, however, that weekly Mass (Saturday 4:00 PM, or one of the four Sunday morning Masses in the parishes) is still a basic expectation for sacramental preparation. Also, parents are expected to attend the Opening Weekend Parent Meeting on Sunday, Septemer 21st and the parent sessions on Sunday mornings.

First Reconciliation Prep Schedule

First Reconciliation Penance Services: 

Friday, January 9th @ 4:00 PM at St. Ann Church, West Newbury

Saturday, January 10th @ 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception, Newburyport

First Holy Communion Prep (2nd Grade)

Parent Meeting (Public School) for First Communion: 

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

First Communion Preparation (catechesis) will begin for Public School children on January 11th and will take place each Sunday (in person or at home) until. There are 12 lessons for First Communion before the sacrament. Six lessons will be completed in person, six at home. There are also two additional essential gatherings:

1. First Communion Church Tour: Sunday, March 1st @ 12:45 - 2:15 PM
2. First Communion Retreat: Sunday, April 12th @ 12:35 (after 11:30 AM Mass) - 2 PM

NOTE: There will be a Tuesday after school (3:30 - 4:45 PM) group meeting this year as well. The Tuesday group will meet on the Tuesday after a Sunday In-person (see schedule below). Please keep in mind, however, that weekly Mass (Saturday 4:00 PM, or one of the four Sunday morning Masses in the parishes) is still a basic expectation for sacramental preparation. Also, parents are expected to attend the Parent Meeting on Sunday, January 11th and the other parent sessions on Sunday mornings.

First Communion Prep Schedule

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

Sat. May 2nd @ 4:00 PM - Immaculate Conception Church

Sun. May 3rd @ 11:30 AM - Immaculate Conception Church

Sat. May 9th @ 4:00 PM - Church of the Nativity

Sat. May 16th @ 4:00 PM - Immaculate Conception Church

Sun. May 17th @ 11:30 AM - Immaculate Conception Church

Sacrament of Confirmation (8th Grade)

Parent-Candidate Meeting: Sun. Sept. 7th after 9:00 AM Mass (~10:05 AM - 11:20 AM)

Sponsor-Candidate Meeting: Sun. Sept. 21st @ 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Beginning last year, Confirmation in the Archdiocese has moved from 10th/11th Grade to 8th Grade. This past year saw all grades, 8th-11th, confirmed in five separate liturgies!

Preparation for Confirmation requires previous faith formation in 6th-7th grade, before the formal sacramental preparation during 8th grade.

If your child has not been confirmed and is now in high school, please connect with me as I will likely put together a separate class for older teens. If your 8th grader has not received faith formation in recent years, connect with me about a refresher course.

Confirmation Preparation will then take place on the following Sunday mornings, after 9:00 AM Mass (~10:05 AM - 11:20AM):

October 5th

October 19th

November 2nd

November 9th

November 23rd

December 7th

December 21st

January 11th

RETREAT (Tentative): Sat. January 24th; 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM