General Information:

Location of our Office	We are located on the first floor (south side) of the new Parish Center: 16 S. 6th Street, New Hyde Park
Hours of Operation	Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sundays for 8:30 - 12:30 p.m. (on class days)
About the Religious Education Program	Grades 1,2,&3	Public School children of these grade levels meet on Thursday afternoon from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
	Grades 4,5,& 6 and Special Needs Program	Public school children of these grade levels meet on Sunday mornings from 10 a.m.  to 11:15 a.m.
	Grade 7 & 8	Seventh & eighth grade public school children meet on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Sacrament Programs

Reconciliation	Catechesis for the sacrament is offered to children in the second grade. Since parents are the primary educators of their children in the way of faith, we invite parents to indicate to us when they feel their child is ready to receive this sacrament of God's forgiveness and love.
Communion	Children are prepared to receive this sacrament in the spring of their second year. Parents are asked to participate in both an information sharing night and a Saturday workshop which will help prepare their child for the celebration of the sacrament.
Confirmation	Catechesis and formation for this sacrament begins in the seventh grace and continues into the fall of the ninth grade. Preparation for this sacrament includes a retreat offered in the spring of eighth grade. Parents are asked to attend an information meeting which outlines the goals of our program.

Rite of Christian Initiation

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is a process whereby adults become full members of the Catholic Church through the reception of the sacraments of initiation (Baptism, Eucharist, Confirmation). An adult who has not received any of these three sacraments is called a catechumen. An adult who was baptized in a non-Catholic religion and who is seeking to enter the Catholic Church is called a candidate.  Both catechumens and candidates participate in a weekly meeting following the 10:15 a.m. Mass. The Rite of Christian Initiation for Children (RCIC) is for children who have reached the catechetical age (that is at least in the second grade) who have not been baptized and are seeking to receive the sacraments of initiation. You may click here to discover more information concerning the RCIA process how someone becomes a member of the Catholic Church.

Other Religious Education Resources

Sunday to Sunday is a weekly Bible study group for adults which meets on Wednesday morning from 9:45 until 11:15 a.m. in the Monsignor Martin Hall – first floor of our Parish Center: (from September until June). Through study, prayer and discussion, this group explores and reflects on the scriptures which will be read on the coming Sunday. All are welcome to attend on any given week.

The Crib to Stroller group mails material on faith development to the families of newly baptized babies until the children reach school age.

Vacation Bible School: A wonderful one-week program for children from pre-school through fifth grade which is offered immediately after the end of the regular school session in June. Each grade level learns stories from the bible and songs. A graduation-recital program completes this fun and informative experience.

Lending Library: The Office maintains a small lending library of books on theology, prayer, and spirituality which is open to members of the parish, as well as a collection of religious videos for children.

Ongoing formation for volunteer teachers: Classes are taught by members of the parish who give their time and talent in becoming catechists for our religious education program. Courses in basic theology are offered to catechists and to members of the parish on a regular basis. In addition, volunteer catechists receive assistance in their own formation, as well as classroom guidance from grade level coordinators.

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