Religious Education
 
As adult members of our faith community, we know that we never stop 
learning about God and that we continue our entire life to try to know 
Him better through prayer, study and service. We have learned through 
experience that if faith is a relationship, it needs to be nourished like 
any other relationship. It would seem then, that our main goal in 
providing programs for our young people in Religious Education is to help 
them realize that FAITH COMES FIRST in their lives and that Jesus center 
of that faith experience for Catholic Christians. It is not to provide 
all the answers, but it is meant to be a good continuation of the faith 
growth that has already begun in them through the family and the parish 
community. 

From the time a child is held lovingly in the arms of their parent, they 
begin to know the love of God. As they have watched their families make 
choices, they have learned about right and wrong. As they have watched us 
(the parish community) worship together, they have learned how to pray 
with others to praise God and bring justice to the world. Our goal in 
Religious Education then is to help them put those experiences in 
perspective, to better understand God and His People, the Church. It is 
to provide them with the opportunity to talk about what they 
have "watched" all these years, and to see how the traditions and 
teachings of the Church reinforce their own faith.

We would ask the entire parish community to support our efforts through 
prayer. 

We are here to serve you and support you in whatever way we can. Let us 
pray together for a wonderful year of faith growth for all of us. 

If you need more information about any of these Religious Education 
services, please call the parish office or email Cori Lockhart, Director 
of Religious Education. cori@divinemercychurch.org





Religious Education Classes 
Classes are held on Wednesday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Registration for 2011 - 2012 school year will begin in August, 2011.  
Watch the bulletin for details.  

New Student Registration packages will be available in the Parish Office 
Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in August. If your 
child did NOT attend Divine Mercy Religious Education Program during the 
2010 - 2011 school year, you MUST complete a new student registration 
package.

Returning Student Registration forms may be downloaded and completed only 
for students who were enrolled in the Religious Education Program during 
the 2010 - 2011 school year. 

BAPTISM
Baptisms are held at Divine Mercy on the first Sunday of each month.  
Prior to baptism parents are required to attend a Parent Baptism 
Session.  Sessions are scheduled every 3 months.  Pre-registration is 
required.  Parent Baptism Sessions are held on Saturdays and scheduled 
throughout the year.  Please call the parish office for more information.

LITURGY OF THE WORD FOR CHILDREN
Last Sunday for this session will be June 26, 2011.  We will resume 
Liturgy of the Word for Children at the 9:30 AM and 11:30 
AM Masses in September 2011. Liturgy of the Word for Children 
is open to children ages 4 – 9.  Children are called forward prior to the 
First Reading and return during the Offertory.  Leaders are needed at 
both Masses.  Please contact Cori at the parish office for more 
information.

FIRST RECONCILIATION PREPARATION
First Reconciliation preparation is for all students 2nd grade and above. 
Students must be enrolled in Divine Mercy School or Divine Mercy 
Religious Education Program. All sessions are on Sundays from 9:30AM to 
10:45AM and will be held in the Meeting House.  Dates for 2012 will soon 
follow.


FIRST HOLY COMMUNION PREPARATION
First Holy Communion preparation is for all students 2nd grade and above. 
Students must be enrolled in Divine Mercy School or Divine Mercy 
Religious Education Program. All sessions are on Sundays from 9:30AM to 
10:45AM and will be held in the Meeting House.  Dates for 2012 will soon 
follow.


CONFIRMATION
Confirmation preparation is for all students 9th grade and above. All 
sessions are on Sundays from 9:30AM to 10:45AM and will be held in 
the Meeting House and Dome.  Dates for 2012 will soon follow.


RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
What is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)? 
The RCIA is the restoration of the ancient practice of initiation into 
the Christian faith, which was the result of Vatican II.  In the ancient 
church, candidates (catechumen) entered into an extended period of 
formation.  The entire community would celebrate various points on the 
journey with rituals.  RCIA is not a program; the RCIA experience is one 
of conversion.  Conversion transforms every dimension of one’s life.  By 
turning from what is unauthentic in our lives, we surrender to God and 
journey to fullness of life.  This conversion begins to change our 
outlook and then our actions as we die to our old self and grow more and 
more aware of whom we are in relationship to God.  This change is always 
a radical shift from one way of being to another; turning from sin to 
accept the transforming love of God.  Conversion is not only a personal 
process but is also a communal process.  No one travels alone on the 
journey!  The catechumens are dependent upon a parish family for welcome, 
support, and nurture.  Caring for people as they respond to God’s call 
and accompanying them on their journey to the Sacraments is the goal of 
the RCIA ministry. If you or someone you know is interested in learning 
more about the RCIA experience, please call the parish office.


SCC

Small Catholic Church Communities are groups of parishioners who meet on 
a weekly or bi-weekly basis to read and learn more about the Sunday 
readings. SCC members share information, thoughts and prayers. SCC’s are 
open to all members of Divine Mercy Parish.

Lent is a time for reflection and prayer. The Small Catholic Church 
Community groups invite you to join them this Lenten season as they 
discuss and reflect on how the Sunday readings impact their everyday 
lives. Please call the parish office for more information.