Grades K-1 & 3-7 Faith Formation
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 2027 form here.
2026-2027
K-1st; 3rd-7th Grade Faith Formation
Together with the ages old teaching of the Universal Church, we see parents as central to the formation of children in the Faith. In seeking to form a life of faith in our, we take seriously your role as parents in that process. In hopes of building up the strength of the "domestic church", or the church as it exists in our homes and the "building block" of the larger Church, there are expectations for whole-family involvement. You might wonder, "OK that sounds nice, but how will this look in practice?"
FAMILY EXPECTATIONS:
- Daily Prayer: Each day, families pray together for 15 minutes. This practice seeks to take seriously the importance of cultivating our children's inner life of prayer and relationship with Our Lord. In the words of St. Therese of Lisieux, "For me, prayer is a burst from my heart, it is a simple glance thrown toward Heaven, a cry of thanksgiving and love in times of trial as well as in times of joy." Resources will be provided for various options that fit your family.
- Weekly Mass Attendance: The Eucharist is, in the words of the Catechism, "the source and summit of the faith." Participating in the celebration of the Eucharist on every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation is a minimum expectation of all Catholics. We are blessed to have a parish community full of young families and parishioners who are accepting of young, squirmy and sometimes noisy Catholics still learning "the ropes". Resources will be provided to help your family to more fully and actively participate in the Sunday Mass and appreciate its significance.
- Weekly Catechesis: In person classes will be, generally, twice a month on Sunday mornings at IC (see schedule below). During the weekends when we do not meet in person, resources will be sent home for you to engage in catechesis together.
- Three "Family Festivals" Bringing together parents and children to celebrate important moments in our Church's calendar and provide resources on how to engage more deeply with the liturgical seasons of our Church. See schedule below.
In person Formation days
Sunday mornings, starting September 20
Immaculate Conception Church & Hall
9:00 AM Mass Followed by Class Time
~ 10:05 AM - 11:20 AM
parent meeting on Sept. 20 during Class time
Although we meet in person at IC about twice a month, regular Faith Formation, previously called "CCD", takes place nearly every weekend from late September through early May. The understanding is that children will receive materials to work on with parents at home on weekends when we don't meet at IC. We also have periodic "family festivals" to celebrate important moments in the Church Year: All Saints, Lent and Easter, specifically.
K-1st; 3rd-7th Grade schedules
| Fall 2026 | Winter & Spring 2027 |
|---|---|
| Sept. 20 at IC | Jan. 10 at IC |
| Sept. 27 at home | Jan. 17 at home |
| Oct. 4 at IC | Jan. 24 at IC |
| Oct. 11 at home | Jan. 31 at home |
| Oct. 18 at IC | Feb. 7 at IC - Lent Fest |
| Oct. 25 at home | Feb. 15 at home |
| Nov 1 at IC - All Saints Fest | Feb. 21 at IC |
| Nov. 8 at home | Feb. 28 at home |
| Nov 15 at IC | Mar. 7 at IC |
| Nov. 22 at home | Mar. 14 at home |
| Nov. 29 at home | Mar. 21 at IC |
| Dec. 6 at IC | Mar. 28 - OFF - Easter |
| Dec. 13 at home | Apr. 4 at IC - Easter Fest |
| Dec. 20 at IC | Apr. 11 at home |
| Christmas Break | Apr. 18 at home |
| Dec. 27 & Jan. 3 OFF | Apr. 25 at IC |
| May 2 at IC |
8th & 9th Grade: If your child has received Faith Formation in recent years, he/she is ready for preparation for Confirmation. However, if your child has not received Faith Formation recently, please reach out to me directly: agiard@hriccatholic.org.


