Faith Formation 2024/2025
2024-2025 Faith Formation Program for the Parishes of:
St. Basil the Great and Mary, Mother of the Church
General Information Newsletter and Registration Information
Dear Parents/Guardians ,
Welcome to a new Faith Formation program year for the Parishes of St. Basil the Great and Mary, Mother of the Church! The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “Parents are the principal and first educators of their children.” (CCC 1653) We are blessed that you have chosen to allow us to assist you in this endeavor with your child’s faith and spiritual development.
Monsignor Ginty has previously announced the merger of the Faith Formation programs for both parishes. This merger affords us an exciting opportunity to develop and build upon the quality program you have come to expect and appreciate. As such, I would like to make you aware of some new and important changes.
First, classes will continue to meet twice per month on Sunday mornings. However, with the addition of the newly renovated Religious Center at St. Leo’s Church campus, we now have two locations of our own (Fr. Shea Hall at St. Basil and the Religious Center at St. Leo’s) in which to meet.
There will be two class sessions offered at each location on Sunday mornings when classes are scheduled, which revolve around the various Mass times at both parishes, so that your child can attend classes and still conveniently allow you the opportunity to worship together as a family.
The class sessions at St. Basil will continue as in the past, with the first session scheduled from 8:30-9:20 AM, followed by attendance at the 9:30 Mass, while the second session will begin with attendance at the 9:30 Mass followed by classes from 10:30-11:20 AM.
The class sessions at St. Leo’s will be as follows: Attendance at the 8:00 AM Mass, followed by classes from 9:00-9:50 AM. The second session will begin with class from 10:00- 10:50 AM, followed by attendance at the 11:00 AM Mass.
Please Note: The specific class times and locations for your child’s class is located on each of the parish’s individual websites under the respective Faith Formation tabs. You will also find there the registration form, the calendar of dates for when classes will meet each month, and other pertinent information.
As with any transition, I am sure that we will experience a learning curve which we will use to further strengthen and develop the program for future years. As such, I am asking for your patience in this matter and that you please keep an open mind and heart to these changes, but most of all please pray for the success of our endeavor.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions, at: faithformation@st-basilparish.org
Yours in Christ,
Joseph Carrah Director of Faith Formation
Faith Formation Office
Director: Joe Carrah
Telephone: 203-573-0511
faithformation@st-basilparish.org
REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
Please complete a
Student Registration Form
for all returning students. Print, complete and return the form with your payment by
July 31st. Specific instructions are on the form.
Drop off or mail to: St. Basil the Great Parish, 525 Woodtick Road, Wolcott, CT 06716. Registrations may also be placed in the offertory basket at Mass at either Parish.
IMPORTANT: Please make checks payable to the Parish to which you belong.
Program Fees
$100.00 for first child
$50.00 for a second child
$200.00 Family Max.
Fees help to cover the cost of administration, books, Bibles, postage, supplies, classroom resources, project materials, and refreshments for special gatherings and events. There are no fees for children of Catechists.
Please feel free to speak with the Director of Faith Formation if the fee structure presents a financial hardship.
Please Note:
No student is kept from classes due to an inability to pay.
Where we will meet in 2024-2025
Classes will meet in
Two locations:
- St. Leo the Great Religious Center, at St. Leo the Great Church, 14 Bentwood Dr., Waterbury, CT 60705
- Fr. Shea Hall at St. Pius the X Church, St. Basil Parish, 525 Woodtick Road, Wolcott, CT 06716
Each location will have TWO SESSIONS on the Sunday when classes are scheduled:
The class sessions at St. Basil will be as follows:
Session 1: Class from 8:30-9:20 AM, followed by attendance at the 9:30 Mass
Session 2: Attendance at the 9:30 Mass followed by classes from 10:30-11:20
The class sessions at St. Leo’s will be as follows:
Session 1: Attendance at the 8:00 AM Mass, followed by classes from 9:00-9:50
Session 2: Class from 10:00-10:50, followed by attendance at Mass at 11:00
2024/2025 Faith Formation Schedule
LOCATION: ST. BASIL THE GREAT PARISH, FR. SHEA HALL @ ST. PIUS X CHURCH, 525 WOODTICK RD., WOLCOTT, CT 06716
Class dates are the same for both parishes.
October 6 and 20
November 3 and 17
December 1 and 15
January 12 and 26
February 9 and 23
March 9 and 23
April 6 (last class)
FIRST SESSION: CLASS 8:30-9:20 AM /MASS @ 9:30 AM
GRADE PARISH
1 SBG
2 SBG
4 SBG
5 SBG
SECOND SESSION: MASS @ 9:30 /
CLASS 10:30-11:20 AM
GRADE PARISH
3 SBG
6 SBG
7 SBG
8 SBG
* STUDENTS IN GRADE 9 WHO ARE PARISHIONERS OF SBG WILL MEET AT THE RELIGIOUS CENTER AT ST. LEO’S CHURCH FOR CLASS AT THE DESIGNATED TIME.
LOCATION: ST. LEO THE GREAT RELIGIOUS CENTER, 14 BENTWOOD DR., WATERBURY, CT 06705
SECOND SESSION: CLASS 10:00-10:50 AM / MASS @ 11:00 AM
GRADE PARISH
9 MMC AND SBG *
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We are excited to announce that we will have a Faith Formation program for children who are in kindergarten. The time and location is to be determined. The class dates for kindergarten are:
October 20
November 17
December 15
January 26
February 23
March 23
FAMILY & CHURCH COURSE
The Archdiocese encourages all parishes to provide a structured course of study that combines the efforts of parents and the Faith Formation program. There are scheduled class times for each grade, along with weekly lessons. The ideal model of religious education is one which has its focus on the Eucharist, which is the center, source and summit of our faith! Everything we do should lead to union with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial love guides us to a life of holiness! Therefore, All class sessions include attendance at Mass. See the schedule of classes for more detailed information.
KINDERGARTEN
Students in Kindergarten meet monthly according to the Class Schedule with “Time with Jesus” lessons to complete at home with their families. This is a special time to bring faith alive to our young children as they learn their prayers and open their hearts to God’s goodness. Students will complete weekly assignments and bring them to Mass on designated dates. There will be a parent meeting to receive further details.
GRADES 1 and 2 - FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION
Students are required to successfully complete Grade 1 in order to prepare for the Grade 2 Sacramental Preparation Class. Students and families take part in our “Mass is Class” format, with families attending weekly Mass together. It is only through participation at Mass that children understand the meaning of receiving Jesus in Holy Communion. It is at Mass that we hear the Good News of Christ’s love and receive Him into our hearts in the Holy Eucharist.
First Holy Communion May 10, 2025 @11:00 AM at St. Basil the Great Parish
GRADES 3 - 7
Students in Grades 3 through 7 will meet according to the Class Schedule. Opportunities will be provided for the students to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, take part in a special project for their grade level, and complete weekly assignments. Textbooks with the syllabus for the year is provided. Unit Reviews are submitted by students on scheduled due dates throughout the year. Details will be given to all students at their first class session.
GRADES 8 and 9 - CONFIRMATION PREPARATION
Students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation begin their studies in Grade 8 and continue in Grade 9 in order to complete the required 2-year Sacramental Preparation for Confirmation. Confirmation ceremony is scheduled by the Archdiocese and is typically held in the Fall of 10th grade. These grade levels include additional activities, retreats, liturgical events, and service opportunities.