Religious Education

Religious Education

St. Lawrence Parish Religious Education

505 Shelton Avenue, Shelton, CT 06484

Religious Education Office 203-929-8421

email: stwannabee@aol.com

facebook: St. Lawrence Religious Education

Karen O'Keefe - Religious Education Coordinator

2023/24  PROGRAMS OFFERED

ELEMENTARY PROGRAM

All parish children MUST be enrolled in an ongoing religious education program beginning in Grade 1 and continuing through Grade 8. Any missed years must be made up.

Grade 1-4 

If permitted, classes will be held at Elizabeth Shelton, Mohegan and Booth Hill Elementary Schools immediately following dismissal (3:45-5:00pm) on Tuesdays from October to April. Please enclose a copy of your child’s baptism certificate and fill out the info on the back of the registration form for all grade 1 students. 

MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAM

Grade 5-8

Classes will meet at Holy Trinity Catholic Academy on scheduled Monday or Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 p.m. (2-3 times per month). An option to choose Monday or Tuesday classes is given to you on the registration form. Class placement is on a first come, first served basis.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Sacramental preparation in Gr. 3 begins after completion of first and second grade religious education. There is one Sacramental Fee of $80 for Penance and Eucharist combined and an $80 fee for Confirmation. These fees cover the cost associated with workshops, retreats and robe rental for Confirmation. A separate program registration will be sent out over the summer to grade 3 parents.

PENANCE

A special Parish preparation program for Grade 3 children, or those who have not received the Sacrament of Penance, will be held in the Fall. Sessions will take place on scheduled Saturday/Sunday mornings at Holy Trinity Catholic Academy. Your child will receive the Sacrament of Penance at an evening gathering called “Peace Day.”

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

A special Parish preparation program for Grade 3 children, or those who have not received the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, will be held in the Spring. Sessions will take place on scheduled Saturday/Sunday mornings at Holy Trinity Catholic Academy. An evening workshop called “Jesus Day” is also scheduled as part of this sacramental program.

CONFIRMATION

The Sacrament of Confirmation takes place in the Fall of 9th grade, after the completion of the 7th and 8th grade curriculum, workshops, retreats, penance and student interviews.

**MASS ATTENDANCE** is required by our parish for all students in Grades 1-8.
A mass pass is given to student after mass to be turned in at class.
If you attend another church, please obtain a bulletin signed by the priest

REGISTRATION

TUITION FEE 

To make payment online, please click on the payment box in the sidebar to the right.

Prior to Aug.1 -                               1 child-$200: 2 children-$300;  3+ children-$350.

After Aug.1 (inc. $25 late fee) –     1 child-$225: 2 children-$325;  3+ children-$375

Payment in full must be returned to the Religious Ed. office by August 1st to guarantee that your child’s class assignment and book will be available in the fall. Tuition will be waived to any parents or family members (18 years or older) who volunteer to teach in any of our programs. Please contact the Religious Ed Office for more information. Teacher training is provided.

PROCEDURES

Your family must be registered in the parish.


All present students will be advanced one grade if they have completed all previous grade level work. Those students who have not turned in required work to the Religious Ed. office for review, should do so by August 1st in order to be advanced to the next grade level.


If you are enrolling a child in our program for the first time

you must also fill out the information on the back side of the registration form. If your child was not baptized at St. Lawrence, we also need a copy of their Baptismal Certificate for the initial registration.


Completed registration form and payment must be returned by August 1st.

All tuition must be paid in full. Please make the Rel Ed Office aware of any financial difficulties or necessary payment plans.


Important parent meetings and book pick-up dates will be posted on-line and in the bulletin in mid-August.

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Please consider volunteering in one of our many programs and activities, which help our children learn about their faith and the love of Jesus, our Lord. Teacher training is available. Please indicate your interest on the registration form and you will be contacted. Tuition will be waived to any parents or family members (18 years or older) who volunteer to teach in any of our programs. All volunteers must complete “Protecting God’s Children” awareness training. Please contact the Religious Ed Office for more information. 

Class Schedule

Grades 1-4

Tuesday afternoons

3:45 – 5:00 pm


  • October 3, 10, 17, 24
  • November 14, 28
  • December 5, 12
  • January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
  • February 6, 13, 20, 27
  • March 5, 12, 19, 26
  • April 2

Grade 3 Penance Preparation Sessions


Parent meeting

September 27 7:00 pm


Saturday, October 28 

9:00 am - 12:00 Noon


Sunday, November 5

10:30 am - 11:30 am with parent


Saturday, November 18

9:00 am - 12:00 Noon


"Peace Day" Thursday, November 30

6:00 pm

Grade 3 Eucharist Preparation Sessions


Parent meeting March 7

10:00 am and 7:00 pm


Saturday March 23

9:00 am - 12:00 Noon


Sunday, April 21

10:30 - 11:30 am with parent


Saturday, April 27

9:00 am - 12:00 noon


"Jesus Day" Wednesday, May 1

6:30 pm

Grades 5-8


Monday/Tuesday evenings

6:30 – 8:00 pm


  • October 2/3, 16/17, 23/24
  • November 13/14, 27/28
  • December 4/5, 11/12
  • January 8/9, 22/23
  • February 5/6, 12/13, 26/27
  • March 11/12, 25/26
  • April 1/2

All students in Grades

1 - 8 are required to attend Mass every weekend and turn in their Mass Passes to their Religious Education teacher or the Religious Education Office.

Religious Online Payment Mode

A Notice to Catholic School Families


We would like to reach out to Saint Lawrence families that have children attending Catholic schools. If you have a child attending a Catholic school, please be aware that it is your responsibility to contact the Religious Education Office prior to their sacramental years (Grades 3, 7, 8) in order to receive information about our Sacramental Preparation Programs over the summer. Children should be receiving their sacraments at the Parish they currently belong to. 

If you have any questions, please call the Religious Education office at 203-929-8421 or email Karen O’Keefe at stwannabee@aol.com.

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