Simsbury, CT 06070
860-658-7627
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Contact Us
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Lori OleaszDRELoriStMarySimsbury.orgDirector of Religious Education (Gr. 1-6)
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Kathleen KeatingYouthMinistryStMarySimsbury.orgReligious Education Coordinator (Grades 7-10) & Youth Minister
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Religious Education Program Overview
Our Sunday Religious Education programs are always bustling with energy and excitement! It is a wonderful place to experience faith through the eyes of children and teens and the joy of partnering with their parents on this formative journey. Thanks to over 60 dedicated Catechists, students are welcomed and engaged each week as they are presented the doctrine, Scripture and Tradition of our faith. Through varied teaching methods and enriching lessons the seeds of faith are sown and nurtured and Catholic faith is brought to life. Through the many opportunities our students are afforded to minister to their brothers and sisters in Christ as missionary disciples, Catholic faith is lived!
Religious Education Volunteers:
We greatly appreciate your willingness to volunteer your help during the year and count on it for the success of our program!
To ensure a safe environment for the children in our program, Virtus Training is required
by the Archdiocese of Hartford for volunteers who are 18 years of age and older.
Training classes are offered at various locations in the diocese for your convenience. There will be a class held at Saint Mary's School on September 4th.Please contact our Religious Education catechetical leaders to express your interest in volunteering in our program. Our parish Virtus Coordinator will explain and assist you in the Safe Environment training process including helping you to sign-up in advance for a training class.
Thank you!
Volunteers for Grades 1- 6 please contact:
Lori Oleasz, Director of Religious Education (Grades 1-6)
860-658-7627 (ext 304)
DRELori@stmarysimsbury.org
Volunteers for Grades 7- 8 and High School please contact:
Kathleen Keating, Coordinator of Religious Education (Grades 7-10) & Youth Minister
860-658-7627 (ext 302)
YouthMinistry@stmarysimsbury.org
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Grades 1-6
"
Jesus said, Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them;
for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
The Saint Mary's Religious Education program (Grades 1-6) is for children who will enter first through sixth grade in the fall. The program is located at Saint Mary's School on Sunday mornings.
There are two separate sessions:Session 1 : 8:15 AM - 9:20 AM
Session 2 : 10:40 AM - 11:45 AM
CLASSES BEGAN ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH.
Please find a link to the Grades 1-6 Religious Education Calendar below, under "Documents", which includes important dates and events.++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our program and instruction continue to be based upon the belief that the Mass, our central act of worship, is the core of all religious education. Families are encouraged to attend the 9:30AM Mass which takes place sandwiched between the two class sessions. There is also the opportunity to attend the 8:00 AM or 11:00 AM Masses if they work with the session in which your child is enrolled.
Once each month, students attend the 9:30 AM Mass with their class. In addition to singing and responding, they actively participate during these Masses as altar servers, gift bearers and lectors. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain a broader perspective of the Mass and what it means to serve our parish. We are grateful for their gift of service and leadership!
Please find a link to the Grades 1-6 Mass Calendar below, under "Documents", which includes important Mass instructions.
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Ministry Learning Projects:Ministry Learning Projects are meaningful and important ways to make a difference in the lives of others and are offered as part of our Saint Mary’s Church Religious Education Curriculum. A Ministry Learning Project Day is scheduled for each class annually and held during class time. Children in a specific grade, along with their parents and/or grandparents, gather together on Ministry Day to learn about the importance of serving others as Jesus did. They create items that include a heartfelt message to serve those in the greater community who are in need.
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Middle & High School
The Saint Mary's Middle School Religious Education and High School Confirmation Preparation Programs run on alternating Sunday evenings at Saint Mary's School from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. Middle and high school students gather with their small groups and catechists from September through May. Each program is guided by a curriculum that includes modern, fast-paced videos and small group discussion based around relevant questions. The videos have been cited as a favorite aspect of each curriculum. Use the links below to learn more about our program.- Middle School Program - Information & Downloadable Calendar
- High School Program - Informaiton & Downloadable Calendar
- Service Information
- Sacrament of Confirmation
together to gain a new perspective on our Catholic faith. These nights incorporate catechetical and experiential aspects of our faith and have included a Teaching Mass, Lectio Divina, a living rosary, and speakers such as Deacon Art, Deacon Tom, the Sisters of Life and the Sisters of Charity.
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Calendar-
Sunday, November 18, 8:15 AM - 11:45 AMOur Religious Education program for grades 1-6 meets today. Grades 4-6 will attend 9:30 Mass together. All families are welcome.Read More
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Sunday, November 18, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PMSmall groups are in session tonight. Don't forget your Bibles!Read More
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Wednesday, November 28, 4:00 PMAll second graders and their parents are asked to attend. Fr. Matera will give a brief description of what students should expect when they receive the sacrament.Read More
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Friday, November 30, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PMWe're cooking for the Calcutta Project tonight. Sign up and meet us in the Parish Center kitchen.Read More
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Friday, November 30, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PMWe're serving our meal at the shelter tonight. The Calcutta Project is an outreach effort of our ministry. It was named for Mother Teresa who inspires us to serve.Read More
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Photo Album
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Night in Bethlehem
4 Photos
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News
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November 7
Mr. Jack Bannan was a WWII veteran who was captured and starved by the Nazis. Twenty-six years ago, he started the Farmington Valley Turkey Trot for FoodShare. Mr. Bannan was a parishioner at Saint Mary's Church and his legacy lives on through all who generously share what they have with others each year. This year the goal is 2,500 turkeys. Every year teens in IGNITE help load the trucks in the HJMS parking lot. Click the title to sign up.Read More -
October 16
Save the Date! On Saturday, December 8th, our children and teens will bring the Nativity story to life following the 5:00PM Vigil Mass. Let’s gather in the church on this blessed evening for a Night in Bethlehem to mark the beginning of the Season of Advent. All are welcome!Read More -
August 30
Throughout the summer months, teens in IGNITE served at the shelter. They gathered in the Parish Center kitchen to cook for 75 men who live at Immaculate Conception Shelter (ImmaCare). After preparing the meal, they prayed for those who would receive it. Our team of teens and adults transported and served the meal that evening. The Calcutta Project is an outreach effort of IGNITE Youth Ministry. It was named for Mother Teresa of Calcutta who inspires us to serve. We will be on mission at the shelter again throughout the year. For details, click the title.Read More -
August 28On Sundays when Religious Education is in session, Parking Ambassadors (wearing yellow vests) will be available to direct traffic in North Parking Lot. Parents of Grades 1-3 are asked to park and walk your child to St. Francis Garden Door. Parents of Grades 4-6 will be directed to drop-off at North School Entrance then circle back out exiting onto Hopmeadow Street at the light. To ease backups, we encourage right hand turns exiting onto Hopmeadow Street. Click the title for more information.Read More
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