Religious Education Grades 1-8 2023 - 2024 Program Year​

Welcome!

The mission of the Immaculate Conception Parish Religious Education Program is “to go and make disciples of all nations, using the faith tools of prayer, study, generosity and evangelization.” The Religious Education program aims to help every member of the family thrive in these four areas of faith. 

Below is an overview of the Program for Grades one through eight. Please review carefully. Registration form(s) to enroll, or reenroll, your child(ren) for the 2023‐2024 school year can be found here. To register online click Religious Education Signup Gr 1-8.

Our program consists of: 

• Weekly catechesis 
• Weekly Mass attendance 
• Seasonal Parish‐wide activities, including Advent Retreat, Stations of the Cross, Praying the Rosary 
• The IC Family Lenten Service Project (Corporal Works of Mercy)

The obligation to attend weekly Mass exists for all of us. 

The celebration of the Eucharist is the foundation of all faith. Immaculate Conception’s religious education program consists of families attending Mass together every weekend, to hear the word of God, to lift prayers to our Heavenly Father, and to receive our Lord's Body in Holy Communion. 

Families may continue to attend their Mass of preference; Mass times are Saturday at 4:00 pm, Sunday at 7:30 am, 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. Confessions are held on Tuesdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm and on Saturdays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm in the Lower Church Chapel. On the first day of class, students will receive a Mass Attendance worksheet. This will enable them to keep track of Mass attendance and other planned activities throughout the year. 

Religious Education classes will be held for all grades on Monday afternoon from 4:45 pm to 6:15 pm. Classes are held at the Parish Building located at 119 Washington Street. Children’s Choir rehearsal is at 4:45 pm. Families who are registered with the Parish and submit registration forms on time will receive priority. 

Students preparing for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation and Penance.

This is a two‐year preparation program regardless of grade or age. We offer two options for catechesis for students in Grades 1 and 2 students on Sunday morning or Monday afternoon. Students in higher grades 3+, will attend the Sunday morning option only. 

• Sunday classes are held from 9:45 am to 12 noon and include attending the 11:00 am Sunday Mass weekly. 
• Monday classes are held from 4:45pm to 6:15 pm. 

All classes will meet at the Parish Building located on 119 Washington Street. Families who are registered with the Parish will receive priority. Failure to attend weekly Mass will result in the student repeating the program the following year. Children who attend classes on Sunday are also invited to join and participate in the children’s choir rehearsals held on Monday afternoon from 4:45pm to 5:15 pm. 

Please note: If you choose the Monday class for sacramental preparation your child must also attend the weekly Mass of your family’s preference and please join us for the monthly children’s Mass that is always celebrated at 11:00 am. 

We will have a Parent Meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at 7:00 pm (in Meehan Hall).

• Sunday classes begin on October 1, 2023
• Monday classes begin on September 25, 2023

We cannot stress strongly enough the importance of registering early as our space is limited. To facilitate planning, please hand in all registration paperwork as soon as possible, as materials, Catechists and helpers are needed according to the number of students in each grade level. A calendar will be emailed to families in September along with class assignments. 

Religious Education Tuition 

Tuition for Grades One through Eight is as follows: $80 per student, with a family maximum of $190 (tuition is waived if parent/guardian volunteers as a catechist). Your tuition helps pay for the curriculum and materials used during class, your prompt payment is greatly appreciated. Please return your tuition payment along with your registration form(s). 

Volunteer Opportunities 

The Parish Religious Education program relies heavily on its volunteers. Please prayerfully consider how you may assist in the program and check the boxes on the back of the Registration form. Please note that all parish volunteers must complete a CORI form and attend the Empowering God’s Children training session (held in August) prior to the start of your volunteer work. Those who volunteer as a Catechist receive tuition waivers for their children. 

​To access the registration form please click here. Download and complete the form and return it with your tuition payment to: Immaculate Conception Parish, Office of Religious Education, 9 Washington Court, Marlborough, MA 01752.

Weather Cancellation Policy for Religious Education

For Monday classes, a decision will be made by noon time. 

For Sunday classes, a decision will be made by 9:00 a.m.

An email will be sent to the address on file and a WhatsApp notification will be sent to those families who subscribe to the app.

Revised, June 30, 2023

First Holy Communion Preparation is a two-year program for all grades. We have two options for attending classes.

Option 1:

Sunday mornings from 9:45 am to 12 noon

Option 2:

Monday afternoons from 5:15pm to 6:15pm for children in First and Second Grade or students in higher grades. Students are also required to meet the obligation to attend weekly Mass. 

Families are invited to attend the Children's Masses (at 11:00am) dates to be announced.

A Calendar will be shared with families in September.