Children's Catechesis 

(Faith Formation for Children)

Program Basics: 

• Classes are on Wednesdays from 6 pm-8 pm.
• At least one parent must attend parenting classes on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm, we offer them in English and Spanish.
• Enrollment is open for students in 2nd to 12th Grade
• Our program is typically one school year but will depend on your child's sacramental needs.
• All information provided to parents is bilingual but the CHILDREN'S CLASSES ARE IN ENGLISH ONLY
• We accept registered SSJ members and non-members (a non-parochial fee will apply to those who are not ACTIVE contributing members of SSJ, registered 3 months PRIOR to Faith Formation registration, having recieved any sacraments at SSJ does NOT count as Parish Registration).

For a child to receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation they must be at least in 3rd Grade, if you have a baptized 2nd grader they can sign up for classes but would only receive their Sacrament of First Reconciliation/Confession. But if you have a 2nd grader who is NOT baptized they will be prepared for all three sacraments of initiation, the Church views anyone older than 7 as an adult, sacramentally speaking, because they are in the age group where they are most conscious of what they are doing. 

Baptized 2nd graders will be prepared to receive their sacrament of First Confession. If you have a 2nd grader who is NOT BAPTIZED, they will be prepared to receive all sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation) at the same ceremony on Easter. 

The Diocese of Phoenix prepares children for both Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation which takes place the same day.