Faith Formation and Christian Education

In the spirit of service exemplified in the life of Saint Gregory the Great, the parish religious education program responds to the disciples’ mandate from Christ to go into the whole world and teach the Good News.  The education of mind and spirit is the goal of the parish religious education program, which enrolls children from Pre-K through grade 8.  Through the moral and religious formation of the parish’s young people, Saint Gregory the Great parish strives to foster a spirit of community, manifested in a deep respect for one another, an atmosphere of prayer and worship, and a spirit of stewardship.
 
The Religious Education program accepts its responsibility as co-educators with the family and the larger Church in providing a solid catechetical experience for children.

As noted under Sacraments, this sacrament of initiation, entails a two-year period of preparation.  Classes for 9th and 10th grade students are held twice a month, typically on Wednesday evenings.  The class topics and dates for Year 1 and Year 2 can be downloaded here. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to be able to open these.

Older adults preparing for confirmation enroll in the parish RCIA program.

Middle school-age youth of the parish—that is, students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades—are invited to join the parish’s junior youth ministry, an activity oriented program which meets the 1st &n3rd Tuesdays of each month throughout the school year.

Every week, on Sunday evenings, the parish’s high school age students are invited to join in activities focused on fun and service.   A component of Christian education is built in, too, with activities focused on the vibrant role of youth in the life of the Church.  .They have conducted fund-raisers, a ski-trip and attended the diocesan Youth Conference in March. They join in and frequently host the Exalt! (XLT!) program for the Lowcountry deanery. Exalt! Is a youth-centered monthly gathering for faith talks and Eucharistic adoration.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults has been established by the Church as a process whereby those seeking to enter into the life of the Church, or those seeking to complete their initiation into Catholic life, may enter into a period of instruction, discernment, and companionship with others on a similar journey.  Members of the parish who are willing to serve as mentors and sponsors join those discerning deeper involvement in Catholic life.  Participants can enter into this year-round process at any point. Typically eight to nine months of participation is required for the completion of the catechumenate (preparation for Baptism) or candidacy for First Eucharist and/or Confirmation, but preparation may be extended to three years, depending on the individual’s situation. 

The program is Scripture-based, using the lectionary of readings for the Church’s Sunday liturgies, and doctrinal, focusing on an adult understanding of Catholic teachings.  The mode of discernment, which emphasizes response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in one’s life, pervades the RCIA process.  Weekly meetings, ordinarily on Tuesday evenings, prepare participants for the various stages, or rites, by which the Church marks acceptance, election, initiation, full communion, and “mystagogia” (reflection on the Christian mysteries) which celebrate a person’s entry into the life of the Church.

This is the same process as above but adapted for children who are at the age of reason (usually 7 years old and older).