Welcome to Religious Formation! 
​At Queen of Peace Parish we look upon Religious Education as a total parish experience involving not just the children, but also Parents, Families, Catechists, Clergy and Religious that form our Parish Community of faith. We take great pride and fulfillment in being able to help parents embrace their role as primary catechists and provide contiuned faith formation for the students and the whole family.

​About Our Program
The Religious Formation Program oversees catechetical programs within our parish including First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation, as well as continuing formation in the non-Sacramental years (Kinder, 1st, 4th-8th Grade). See below for more information about each grade/sacramental level.

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Fr. Allan speaking to our First Holy Communion Students before their first Reconciliation.

Sacramental Programs

First Holy Communion 1st Year-First Reconciliation
First Reconciliation is your child's first year of the two-year sacramental preparation program in the journey of receiving First Holy Communion. These classes help your little one prepare to receive Jesus fully in our hearts by learning the importance of and how to ask for forgiveness of our sins and seeking reconciliation with our Lord, Jesus Christ. This class often begins at 2nd grade level (or ages 7-9). This class is offered in English and Spanish. Note: the student will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time toward the end of their second year of sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion.
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First Holy Communion-2nd Year
First Holy Communion is your child's second year of a two year sacramental preparation program, and it is geared to help prepare your child to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, for the first time. It is an extremely important and momentous occasion in the life of your child and your family. This level usually coincides with the 3rd grade level (or ages 8-10). This class is offered in English and Spanish. Note: that your child may only register for this level after completing the First Reconciliation preparation class in the prior year.
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OCIC-Order of Christian Initiation for Children
​This class is for those children/youth 7-17 years of age who have not received the Sacrament of Baptism. Through this two-year preparation program, the students will receive all their Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confirmation). This class is offered in English.

Older First Reconciliation/Older First Holy Communion
This year we will be offering an older First Holy Communion class available for those who are baptized yet not have received First Holy Communion, and are beyond 3rd grade (ages 10- 12). This is a 2-year program where they will receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion at the conclusion of their 2 year preparation. The first year will instruct on First Reconciliation and the second year will instruct on First Holy Communion. This class is a bilingual class.

Confirmation
Confirmation is the third Sacrament of Initiation, when a baptized person is sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, strengthened in their faith, and called to be come a living witness of Christ and an active member of our Catholic faith. Confirmation is a two year preparation program to help those seeking the sacrament to better understand what receiving this sacrament means to them. It is an extremely momentous occasion to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in our faith, for the student and their families. Under the Religious Formation Program, those who wish to enter into classes should be in 9th-10th grades (or ages 14-17). This class is offered in English and Spanish.

Non-Sacramental Programs

Kinder and First Grade
Kindergarten and First Grade classes are for children ages 5-6 years old who are eager to get their faith formation off to an early start! We use a curriculum from the Augustine Institute which includes fun videos and songs to promote discovery and curiosity of our Catholic faith. Lessons are short and interactive. These classes are non-sacramental.

4th-8th Grades
Children in 4th-8th grades are given the opportunity to further understand their faith through a curriculum from Augustine Institute, which includes biblical based studies, videos, and the use of sacred art. While it is a not a sacramental preparation class, the curriculum is designed to help connect their faith to their daily lives after receiving First Holy Communion. ​

Class Times for 2024-2025 Catechetical Year
PLEASE NOTE NEW TIMES FOR THIS YEAR!
Wednesdays
Kinder-5th grade: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Includes Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Holy  Communion
6th-8th Grade: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm​
Confirmation 1 and 2: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Sunday
OCIC-Order of Christian Initiation for Children: After the Sunday 9:00 am Mass - 11:30 am

How can I register my child?
Registration for 2024-2025 is now closed.
Please contact the Religious Formation Office with any questions.

Who can I contact with more questions?
Please contact the parish office and ask for any of the below at 915-584-5817 or email [email protected]. The appropriate age or progam coordinator will reach back out to you.
Kinder-8th Grade Director: Mayela Martinez 
Confirmation Director: Tony Martinez 
OCIC Coordinator: Jane Snyder

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​Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
(Proverbs  22:6)