Children's Formation

Our Children’s Faith Formation Program supports families in their children’s spiritual growth, guiding them to know, love, and follow Jesus through the sacramental life of the Church.

Our goal is for every child to experience a living relationship with Christ and to feel supported by a community that prays and walks with them. We offer the following programs:

Sacramental Preparation for First Communion
Ongoing Formation

First Communion

Grades 1 through 8

What is First Communion?

First Communion is a very special moment in a child’s life, when they receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time—the Sacrament of Love. Through this program, children are supported as they grow in faith, come to know Jesus, and prepare well for this great encounter.

Our program seeks to support both children and their families so that this stage is lived as a true experience of faith and not simply as an event.

Program Length

The First Communion program is a two-year required formation process.

Year 1: Foundations of the faith, prayer, and Christian life
Year 2: Direct preparation for the sacraments of:

Reconciliation
First Communion

Program Goals

To know and love Jesus
To understand the meaning of the Eucharist
To learn to live as disciples of Christ
To encourage family prayer
To welcome and integrate families into parish life

Requirements

Copy of Baptism Certificate
Regular participation in Sunday Mass
Annual registration completed
Parent commitment to meetings and family formation

Parent Participation

Parents are the first teachers of the faith. For this reason, their participation is essential through:

Formation meetings
At-home accompaniment
Attendance at special celebrations
Support throughout their child’s faith journey

Sacraments Received

During the process, children receive:

First Reconciliation
First Communion

Program Coordinators

St. Stephen Campus: Ángela Rodríguez & Obdulia Benítez
Holy Rosary Campus: Maria Morocho

Is your child over 7 years old and not baptized? If so, click on the following link:

OCIA

For more information, call Maria de la Luz

Here

Ongoing Formation

SEED - Seed

Grades 1 to 6

What is SEED?

SEED is our Ongoing Faith Formation program for children who have already received the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Reconciliation, and who would like to continue growing in their relationship with God.

This program helps children to:

Strengthen their friendship with Jesus
Learn more about the Bible
Live their faith within their families
Prepare spiritually for the next steps in their Christian life

Program Goals

Form disciples who live their faith with joy
Teach the foundations of Catholic teaching (Sacred Scripture and Tradition)
Encourage prayer, participation in Sunday Mass, and sacramental life
Promote Christian values in daily life

Requirements

Must have received First Communion
Attend Sunday Mass regularly
Complete the annual registration process

For more information, call Maria de la Luz

Here

Ongoing Formation

EDGE

Grades 7 to 8

What is EDGE?

EDGE is our faith formation program for middle school teens, designed especially for youth who have already received First Communion and want to continue learning, growing, and living their faith in an active, dynamic, and community-centered way.

EDGE supports teens during a key stage of their lives, helping them to:

Discover their identity in Christ
Strengthen their faith
Build community with other teens
Prepare for the Confirmation program

Program Goals

Evangelize teens in their everyday lives
Teach the faith through an engaging and participatory approach
Encourage Christian leadership
Prepare them spiritually and pastorally for Confirmation

Requirements

Must have received First Communion
Commitment to attend classes
Regular participation in Sunday Mass
Annual registration completed

Program Coordinators

St. Stephen Campus: Josselyne Bunay
Holy Rosary Campus: Lizbeth Meléndez

For more information, call Maria de la Luz

Here

OCIA

Order of Christian Initiation - Minors

Children over 7 years old

Unbaptized

What is the Order of Christian Initiation? (OCIC)

OCIC is not simply an academic program—it is a journey of faith where catechesis, liturgy, and community life walk together. Through celebrations, signs, the liturgical seasons, and ongoing accompaniment, children learn to:

Recognize God’s presence in their lives
Pray with confidence
Live as disciples of Christ
Feel like an active and living part of the Church

Parent Participation

The participation of parents or guardians is essential, since they are the first and primary educators in the faith. Our program invites families to walk alongside their children, strengthening faith at home and within the parish community.

Requirements

Birth certificate
Two-year program
Regular participation in Sunday Mass
Annual registration completed

Campus Availability

Year 1 is offered at both campuses
Year 2 is offered only at the St. Stephen Campus

For more information, call Maria de la Luz

Here