Christian Formation (CCD) Grades 4K - 6th

This is eternal life, that they may know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Christian Formation is a lifelong process that begins with Christian parents passing on the Catholic Faith to their children. The Church teaches that while parents are the primary moral and spiritual educators of their children, our responsibility as a parish is to support and assist parents in this most important role – evangelists of their families.

The Church reminds us that the role of forming a child in the Faith is of such importance that it must be undertaken with the utmost care and diligence. The School of Christian Formation at St. Mary’s seeks to offer your child a solid formation in the Catholic Faith so that he or she will have both the knowledge and the skills necessary to become a faithful and fruitful disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Please note that sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion is a two-year program.

2025–2026 Registration

Dear Parents,

Greetings in Christ! I hope this finds your family is enjoying the summer with lots of family time.

Our Sunday catechetical program starts Sunday, September 14. Please register your children by August 15, so we can get all our supplies together, and plan to be at class on September 14.

We will meet in the St. Mary's school buildings on Sundays from 9:45 - 10:45am.

You, the parents, are the primary teachers of your children, and the CCD classes should complement what is taught in the home. Your children’s faith is strengthened by conversations about the faith and about how the Lord is working in your lives.

Most of our books will be bilingual so that parents may fully review the lessons being taught that week.

All parents will be added to our Flocknote account in their child’s class. We will use this to send all information and notes on the material covered each week. You will get to decide how you receive these messages, either to an email or texted.

If you have not done so, please sign up for FORMED at www.formed.org/signup, enter Aiken, SC, then choose St. Mary Help of Christians. This is a resource provided by the parish and has many programs for both youth and adults.

As part of your parental teaching role, is vital that you take your children to Mass weekly and to confession regularly. Even if they have not yet received first confession, seeing you go to confession is a wonderful example for young children.

Reminder of St. Mary’s Sacramental Policy: In order to receive First Holy Communion or Confirmation, children must attend, at the very minimum, two full years of Christian Formation classes. This policy is intended to ensure that your child has the best sacramental formation possible.

Please complete the registration form below. We will have no paper registrations. You should be able to complete this form on a computer, tablet or phone. If you have questions or difficulties signing up, please email Mrs. Jackson (see 'email Mary Ellen Jackson' above right).

You may also pay online by going to the link at the end of the registration or you are welcome to pay at the beginning of class or anytime at the parish office. Please know you do not have to pay the full amount at one time and if you need a scholarship, please contact Mrs. Jackson. Please do not have your child miss lessons due to the cost.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.