Pre- and Post-Sacramental Religious Education Registration
(See Sacrament of First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion section below for sacramental registration.)

Santa Maria de la Paz offers religious education (pre- and post-sacramental) beginning with Pre-K through 7th grade. Children can start as young as 5 years of age. We offer two sessions on Sundays: 8:00am—9:15 am or 10:00am—11:15am. The fee is $35.  If necessary a payment plan may be arranged through Vanessa Madera, Director of Evangelization and Family Catechesis.

SCHEDULE

Parents have the option of selecting a time of attendance for their child.  The current options are Sunday from 8:00am to 9:15am AND Sunday from 10:00am to 11:15am.  (Class times for 3rd grade 1st Holy Communion students are listed below). Sunday pre-and post-sacramental religious education classes begin Sunday, August 25, 2024.  

REGISTRATION

Click here for on-line registration for Pre- and Post-Sacramental religious education classes.  See link below for registration for First Holy Communion. (NOW CLOSED)

OR
Download and complete a registration form for Pre- and Post-Sacramental religious education and return to the parish office with payment. You must also include the Circle of Grace form as well as the permission for digital image/library form with your registration. 

Registrations WILL NOT be accepted after Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Sacrament of First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion

Preparation for First Holy Communion is a two year process. As per the Archdiocese, First Holy Communion is received in the 3rd grade or age eight or nine. Children who have reached the 3rd grade and have received the Sacrament of Baptism are eligible to receive the Sacrament of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion if they have completed a pre-requisite year of religious education. If not at Santa Maria de la Paz, proof or instruction from another parish must be provided.   The fee for the 2nd grade year is $35 and the fee for the 3rd grade year is $60.  Please note:  A recently issued (within last 6 months) Baptismal Certificate may be required by the Parish office from First Holy Communion children.

SCHEDULE

There will be a MANDATORY parent orientation on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 in the parish social hall at 6:00pm. (Parent Letter) Registrations must be filled out prior to orientation. First Communion classes are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00PM to 7:30PM at the social hall and Sunday mornings from 10:00am to 11:15am in one of the Main Church classrooms (limit 11 students). The Sunday class is now filled to capacity. Parents have the option of selecting a time of attendance (either Tuesday evening or Sunday morning) for their child. The Tuesday evening classes begin on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 and the Sunday morning classes begin on Sunday, August 25, 2024. See important dates below.

REGISTRATION

Click here for on-line registration for the First Holy Communion Religious Education program. (NOW CLOSED)

OR
Download and complete a registration form for First Holy Communion Religious Education and return to the parish office with payment. You must also include the Circle of Grace form as well as the permission for digital image/library form with your registration.

Registrations WILL NOT be accepted after Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

MY FIRST EUCHARISTIC BOOKLET

Click here to download My First Eucharistic Booklet. [To set up your booklet, print using "2-sided or duplex printing", "flip on short edge", and "landscape orientation". Fold the printed pages down the middle.]

Haga clic aquí para descargar Mi Primera Eucaristía Folleto. [Para configurar el folleto, imprimir utilizando "2 caras o impresión a doble cara", "voltear en borde corto", y "orientación horizontal". Doblar las páginas impresas por la mitad.]

First Holy Communion Important Dates

All Saint's Day
Friday, November 1, 2024 6:00pm Main Church (Holy Day of Obligation. Mass attendance REQUIRED.

Eucharistic Adoration - Holy Hour

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 6:00pm Main Church (Parents and child MUST ATTEND)

Mass of the Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday Mass)
Thursday, April 17, 2025 7:00pm Main Church (Parents and child MUST ATTEND)

First Holy Communion Candidates Testing
April 21, 2025 (time for each child TBD)

Children's Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Scapular Investiture
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 6:00pm Main Church (Parents and child MUST ATTEND)

May Crowning

Sunday, May 4, 2025 11:30am Main Church

First Reconciliation
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 6:00pm Main Church

First Holy Communion Rehearsal
Thursday, May 1, 2025 6:00pm Main Church

First Holy Communion 
Saturday, May 3, 2025 2:00pm Main Church

RCIA for Children

Beginning SY2024-25, RCIA for children will be a 2-year catechetical program.  Year 2024 is designated as RCIA-1. If your child is older than 7 (seven) years of age and has not been Baptized, the child must be enrolled and participate in The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Adapted for Children. This also applies to older children who have not received their First Holy Communion.

SCHEDULE

RCIA classes for children are held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00PM to 7:30PM at the social hall and Sunday mornings from 10:00am to 11:15am in one of the Main Church classrooms. Parents have the option of selecting a time of attendance for their child (either Tuesday evening or Sunday morning). The Tuesday evening classes begin on Tuesday, August 20, 2024 and the Sunday morning classes begin on Sunday, August 25, 2024. The fee for the first year is $60.00.

There will be a MANDATORY parent orientation on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 in the parish social hall at 6:00pm. (Parent Letter) Registrations must be filled out prior to orientation

REGISTRATION

Download and complete a registration form for RCIA for Children and return to the parish office with payment. You must also include the Circle of Grace form as well as the permission for digital image/library form with your registration.  On-line registration for this program is not yet available.

Registrations WILL NOT be accepted after Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Adult Religious Education 

Since our children do not learn in isolation, but rather with their families, we ask that parents participate in one of the virtual programs offered over the course of the year in addition to   helping their children with religious education at home, praying daily, and attending Mass regularly.    The Adult Religious Education schedule for the 2024-2025 school is available as an insert in the August 25th bulletin and the complete schedule is included in the September 1st bulletin.  Click here to view and download.

PLEASE NOTE: The Archdiocese of Santa Fe policy mandates that all volunteers attend the Abuse Awareness Training for Adults. Click on SAFE ENVIRONMENT TRAINING to take the Abuse Awareness Training on-line.

sesiones en espanol

La tarea del ministro catequistico de la parroquia ofrece oportunidades para enriquecer, y formentar su fe.