Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish
2022-2023 Religious Education Registration

Grades 1-4: Sundays 9:30am - 10:20am
Grades 5-12: Saturdays 3:30pm - 4:20pm

***  Click here for calendar of class DATes ***

Parent/Guardian Collaboration: Thank you for your interest in, and commitment to, religious education. We believe that parents play an integral role in the moral and faith formation of our students and no one can replace the influence that a parent's example has on the spiritual life of a child. By taking time to pray, attend mass regularly, and participate in other aspects of parish life, parents can both reaffirm and enrich other forms of instruction. In completing a registration form and enrolling a child in the program, the parent understands and acknowledges the following:

• Official communication regarding religious education news/updates is disseminated primarily via email but the following other sources should be checked regularly: parish website, parish Facebook page, and Flocknotes messaging.
• Important information regarding sacramental preparation (namely, First Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation), related eligibility criteria, and requirements is provided below. Interested families are encouraged to review these details before submitting their registration form.

We have developed the following FAQs for your reference:

1. Is there a Zoom/remote option offered this year?
There is no video-facilitated program offered at this time. All classes are scheduled to occur in person at the parish hall (beneath the chapel). Specifically, in partitioned classrooms, with spaces in the chapel and rectory utilized as appropriate.

2. If my child is not available during the regularly scheduled meeting day/time, does this mean he/she cannot participate in the program?
No, of course not. It is widely accepted that family members serve as the primary catechists for their student(s). Some families opt to participate via home school learning exclusively and this is perfectly acceptable. We are available to provide as-needed guidance and support for students and parents who choose home school learning. That being noted, if your student is preparing to receive a sacrament while participating via home school learning exclusively, the parent is required to contact the Director of Religious Education, Kevin O’Connell, upon submitting their registration form. A mutually agreed upon plan of action will need to be created, with regular check-ins and assessments completed as appropriate. This is to ensure that the student is appropriately catechized, in accordance with established sacramental guidelines and standards.

3. What COVID-related considerations remain in place?
We take seriously our efforts to mirror the requirements and action steps of the West Boylston School District as closely as possible, especially as it relates to the use of face coverings and other mitigation efforts. We have also purchased multiple air purifiers to assist in the reduction of dust, allergens, common odors, airborne bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. High-touch areas are disinfected regularly and hand sanitizer is available. At this time, face coverings are permitted but not required.

4. What should parents know about the check-in/check-out process when classes are held?
There is no formal check-in process and class attendance is recorded. Students in Saturday classes (grades 5+) are released from the parish hall at the end of class and may meet their parent(s)/guardian(s) upstairs in the chapel or parking lot. If a parent/guardian would prefer that their Saturday student remain in the parish hall to be signed out, please email the Director. Students in Sunday classes (grades 1-4) must be picked up downstairs in the parish hall and signed out. These students will only be released to the parent(s)/guardian(s) specified on the registration form – unless previously arranged in writing with the Director. 

5. What information is available for parents who want to learn more about their child preparing for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Communion?
Students are eligible for FP/FC sacramental preparation only after they have already completed one year of religious education, immediately prior to the preparation year. The preparation year is typically 2nd grade, with sacraments being conferred in the spring of the child’s 2nd grade. Therefore, this usually means a full year of 1st-grade religious education is required before the student’s 2nd-grade preparation year. Students who only first join the program in 2nd grade without a prior year of catechesis would then consider their sacramental preparation year to be the 3rd grade. Students enrolled in one of the diocese’s Catholic schools may register and prepare for 2nd-grade sacramental preparation without any previous participation in the parish’s religious education program.

Parents of children preparing to receive First Penance and First Communion must attend a minimum of two meetings with parish staff throughout the preparation year (again, this is usually 2nd grade), are expected to attend mass every weekend with their First Communicant and must respond to all correspondence in a timely manner.

6. What information is available for high school-aged students and parents who want to learn more about preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation?
Confirmandi from Our Lady of Good Council typically receive this Sacrament in the late fall of their junior year of high school. Accordingly, the next Confirmation preparation program will begin in the spring of 2023 and continue through the fall of 2023. Eligible students are at least high school sophomores and must have completed a minimum of one year of religious education in the high school cohort during the year immediately prior to the preparation program or be enrolled in one of the diocese’s Catholic high schools.

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