FAITH FORMATION
Sacred Heart Parish offers a parish-wide catechesis program that allows generations to share our faith together. Once a month, Father Fran facilitates adult small group discussions on Sunday’s readings while children attend multi-grade faith formation classes downstairs. In 2025-26, children will attend an additional class each month, while parents are invited to enjoy Hospitality.
Curriculum for Children’s classes
Sacred Heart will continue to use the popular Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, which focus on Sunday’s readings and specific topics of Catholic doctrine. The linked video references the Weeklies’ ability to address current issues and shows an activity on Care for our Common Home. This is particularly timely for Sacred Heart as we begin our journey as the first St. Kateri “Ark of Biodiversity” and learn to care for Our Common Home, starting with the gardens in our Parish home.
Our Gospel Weekly program highlights scripture. To support understanding of the Bible, a large banner of the Great Adventure Bible Timeline is mounted on the wall outside our classrooms. This is a wonderful visual of the story of salvation history for students, parents, and teachers.
Catechists also have materials from the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program. These materials are based on the Montessori approach to presenting complex ideas in a child-centered, discovery-based, and hands-on manner, tailored to the child's developmental age. CGS materials are available in our preschool room and are used by catechists in all grade levels.
Our regular programs will also be supplemented with appropriate experiential activities exploring the church, gardens and adjacent conservation areas. Service opportunities in the parish, as well as the larger community, will be offered to provide hands-on experience in Caring for Our Common Home.
Plans for Pre-school activities and lessons are currently being reviewed. More details will be provided in the next few weeks.
Schedule and fees
Classes are on October 5, October 19, November 2, November 16, December 7, December 14, January 4, January 11, February 1, February 8, March 1, March 15, April 12, April 26, May 3, and May 17. Pentecost is May 24. The combined adult and children session dates are in bold.
The fee will be $50 per family. This fee is the same for a “family” of 1 person or a family with multiple members. Registration forms are available by the doors of the church, during Hospitality at the Welcome table, or online below. Payment can be made by check on Sundays or by clicking the religious education icon under giving.
For more information: Contact Father Fran at frobrien@sacredheart-lexington.org or SHFaith21@gmail.com.
SCHEDULE
Each in-person session will be held after the 10 AM Sunday Mass.
In 2025-26, children will attend an additional class each month while parents are welcome to attend Hospitality. We will gather on October 5, October 19, November 2, November 16, December 7, December 14, January 4, January 11, February 1, February 8, March 1, March 15, April 12, April 26, May 3, and May 17. Pentecost is May 24. The combined adult and children session dates are in bold.
Sessions will begin with Hospitality, followed by an introduction to the day’s topic for all those gathered. Parishioners will then break into individual groups. Children will be in multi-grade classrooms.
The sessions will center around the liturgical readings for the day and explore essential tenets of our faith.
SACRAMENTS
(including Initiation of Adults)
Sacred Heart Parish offers preparation in First Penance, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults).
Second graders and their families will be invited to prepare together for the Sacrament of First Penance and First Eucharist through unique materials and special sessions throughout the year. Our flexible programming allows us to make adjustments for students who may have missed the second-grade cycle.
The Sacrament of Confirmation age has changed in the Archdiocese of Boston from the 10th grade to the 8th grade. We are also responsive to the needs of adults seeking the sacrament of confirmation. We tailor our Confirmation preparation to accommodate the needs of individual students wherever they are in the preparatory process.
OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults)
Are you interested in becoming a Catholic or learning more about the Catholic faith? Were you baptized but never received First Communion or Confirmation? Our years of isolation impacted us all and many are looking for new ways to connect in community and to interrupted faith formation. Please contact our office at office@sacredheart-lexington.org or SHFaith21@gmail.com for more information.
COST & REGISTRATION
Cost: The fee will be $50 per family. The fee will be the same for a “family” of one person or a family with multiple members.
To Register: Registration forms can be completed and submitted online.
Payment can be made by going to Giving and clicking on “Online Giving.” Scroll down to the religious education icon.
Registration forms and checks may also be mailed to the Parish office at Sacred Heart Parish, 718 Mass Ave, Lexington MA 02420. Forms are also available in the office and in the church.
Please contact Father Fran at FrOBrien@SacredHeart-Lexington.org or SHFaith21@gmail.com with questions.