One of our most serious obligations—and greatest joys—as a parish family is to pass on the ancient  treasure of our faith.  Jesus’ command that we do so is clear: 

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Matthew 28: 19-20). 

The St. Lawrence the Martyr Faith Formation Program’s aim is to form children in the Catholic faith, offering opportunities to encounter our Lord through prayer and liturgy, the sacraments, catechesis, and service, thereby helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.  Coming to faith in God is a lifelong process, as is any relationship.  The searching and yearning we experience within our deepest selves are God’s continual invitation to know Him and experience Him more intimately.

Our Faith Formation Program prepares children in grades 1 through 8 for the sacraments of First Holy Communion, Reconciliation, and Confirmation.  Included are age-appropriate catechesis, prayer services, seasonal activities, and opportunities to serve.  In late June, we have a lively Vacation Bible School for children in pre-school through grade 3.  Children are always encouraged to attend Sunday Mass with their families.  Our parish celebrates a Family Mass on the first Sunday of the month from October through June, and a Liturgy of the Word with Children on most other Sundays.

Our Faith Formation program for children is in full conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and in the use of catechetical materials approved by the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Our current textbooks include:

• Alive in Christ, published by Our Sunday Visitor for Grade 1
• A sacramental preparation book for First Eucharist entitled, Encounter With Christ, also published by Our Sunday Visitor
• The Be My Disciples series published by RCL/Benziger, a Kendall-Hunt Company for Grades 2 through 6
• Chosen, a video and discussion-based Confirmation preparation program
  

The Faith Formation program is dedicated to constantly improving the curriculum and its outcomes. Prospective catechists are interviewed and receive training through ongoing Catechist Formation, attendance at catechist meetings designed to enrich their faith and teaching skills, and various diocesan certificate programs. All training is intended to prepare catechists for the important ministry of catechesis.  All Faith Formation volunteers must conform to all requirements of the USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Youth.  A copy of this Charter and its requirements can be found on the diocesan website.

We invite you to speak to our Faith Formation Director/coordinators regarding your child(ren) and the program.  New parishioners should register their child(ren) at the Office of Faith Formation as soon as possible.  Registration must be renewed annually.  Once registered in the program, families will receive an invitation to renew their registration in June. Please notify the office with any change of name, address, and/or phone number.

Please click below for a comprehensive schedule of classes for the coming Faith Formation year.

2025-26 CHOSEN Level I Confirmation Schedule.pdf

2025-26 CHOSEN Level II Confirmation Schedule.pdf

Class Schedule, 25-26.pdf

The sacrament of First Holy Communion, or First Eucharist, is received after completion of a mandatory two-year preparation program (Levels I and II). 

During the first year of preparation, children are taught by their parents at home. Registration for Level I is generally on a Sunday in mid-September, which we call Ice Cream Sundae Sunday.  First grade families are invited to the 11:00 AM Mass, and afterward register their children for the program while the children enjoy an ice cream sundae.  In this part of the two-year process, parents gather for an Enrollment Prayer Service, and three instructional meetings.  The children gather for Epiphany and Lenten activities. 

At the start of the second year (Level II), children are placed in classes with a catechist (a teacher of the faith).  They continue their preparation for First Holy Communion, which is ordinarily celebrated during the Easter Season. 

Children in Level II are prepared for and celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession) in January before receiving First Holy Communion.

Catechesis continues for students in grades 3 through 6, with an emphasis on receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, social ministry, and special Advent and Lenten programs in the church, such as praying the Rosary, and the Jesse Tree during Advent; and the Stations of the Cross designed for children during Lent.  Following grade 6, children enter a two-year preparatory program for Confirmation.  Children are expected to continue their Faith Formation each year, grades 1 through 8, in order to be properly prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

First Eucharist & Reconciliation FAQ's

Help for Parents of First Eucharist Children.pdf

Children at St. Lawrence are eligible for Confirmation after successfully participating in a mandatory two-year preparation program.  Of course, this two-year experience is intended to build upon Faith Formation classes that have been attended uninterruptedly every year, beginning in the first grade.  Emphasis in the Confirmation Program is placed on Mass attendance, social ministry and service, parent/sponsor involvement, and projects designed to enhance the children’s faith formation experience.  Level II Confirmation candidates participate in a Confirmation Retreat.

Beginning in the Fall of 2021, our two-year preparation program was redesigned in an exciting new format, which we believe is even more engaging for our young people.  Our Level I and Level II children now participate in a video-based experience called Chosen.  Designed by nationally known speaker and evangelist, Chris Stefanick, Chosen invites our Confirmation candidates to explore their lives, the Church and the world more deeply, using video presentations and small group discussion.  We look forward to this new format bringing a richer dimension to our children's preparation for the sacrament.

Another important component of our Confirmation Program are two project workbooks: one for Level I and another for Level II.  Both the Level I workbook, entitled Called to Witness, and the Level II workbook, entitled Alive in Our Faith, contain a series of projects designed to complement the catechesis found in the textbooks and class discussions. Each workbook requires the completion of assignments, such as attending a Baptism, researching a saint, attending a liturgy, participating in a service project, or interviewing a parish minister (to name a few), and then writing a short reflection on what was learned in that assignment.  

The Level I & Level II workbooks are distributed at parent meetings in October.   It is expected that each workbook's requirements will be satisfactorily met, along with other program requirements such as attendance in class and at various retreats and prayer services, in order for a child in our program to be presented for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  Many of the workbook assignments will need to be accomplished outside of class.  It is requested that the workbook for each respective level (Called to Witness in Level I, and Alive in Our Faith in Level II) be completed and submitted to the Office of Faith Formation no later than May 1st.

CHOSEN Schedules:

2025-26 CHOSEN Level I Confirmation Schedule.pdf

2025-26 CHOSEN Level II Confirmation Schedule.pdf

Workbook:

Level I and Level II Workbook Requirements, 2025-26.pdf

Level I Confirmation Workbook, 2025-26.pdf

Level II Confirmation Workbook, 2025-26.pdf

Sponsor Information:

Baptism-and-Confirmation-Sponsor-Information, pdf

Request for Sponsor form.pdf

We are happy to offer the following resources and invitations to our Faith Formation parents as they work with their children: