Religious Education

Catechists from our Religious Formation program were treated to an Evening of Prayer on Monday night. Fr. Walter Kedjierski, associate pastor at Our Lady of Victory in Floral Park, celebrated the Novena Mass. The evening continued in the Emmaus Room where he led catechists in a reaffirmation of their commitment to “echo the word of God” to our youth. Fr. Walter is the son of St. Patrick’s Director of Religious Formation for levels 1-4, Elaina Kedjierski (pictured left.) The evening was also sponsored by Peggy Soviero (pictured right), the Director of Religious Formation for levels 5-8.

St. Patrick’s concluded its celebration of First Communions on Saturday, May 9th, as second grade students from St. Patrick School received the sacrament. A total of 15 First Communion masses were held with 308 children receiving their First Holy Communion this season. Congratulations to all our First Communicants and their families!

Level 2 students continued the celebration their first communions on Sunday, May 3rd, 2009 at St. Patrick’s church.

261 children from our Religious Formation Program celebrated their First Holy Communion during the weekends of April 18 th & 19th, April 24 th & 25th, and May 2 nd & 3rd. All who participated in our liturgies were full of joy, which was captured in the many photos taken each day. Our St. Patrick School children are receiving the sacrament on Saturday, May 9th, and our prayers are with them for a blessed and beautiful day.

We wish to offer congratualtions to all our First Holy Communion families, and many thanks to all who prepared our children for the sacrament and made our celebrations memorable.

Confirmation took place on Thursday, April 30th, 2009. 202 young people gathered to receive the sacrament. Bishop Murphy spoke at length with our parish youth in Canning Hall to prepare them for receiving the sacrament.

Our confirmandii (those seeking the sacrament of confirmation) have worked together over the past two years and have enthusiastically responded to the invitation and grace of the Holy Spirit to fulfill the tasks of going forth in proclaiming the Gospel and making Disciples of Christ. They have renewed their Baptismal promises, been anointed - by Bishop Murphy - with the Holy Chrism, have opened themselves up to the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and are now being challenged to:

• live and share their faith enthusiastically with others by word and witness.
• invite their peers and others to know Jesus Christ by connecting them to the Church, the Body of Christ, in which Jesus continues to present in Word, in Sacrament, and in the people.
• help transform the world in Christ - to decide how they are going to make the principles of Catholic Social Teaching a part of their daily life to help change people’s hearts.

Congratualtions to all!

First Communions continued on the weekend of April 26th, 2009, for children in Level 2 of our Religious Formation program.

Level 8 students prepared to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation through a retreat hosted by Tony Bellizzi.

First Communions began on Sunday, April 19th, 2009 for students in Level 2 of our Religious Formation program. Congratulations Everyone! Communions will continue through Sunday May 5th, 2009.

St. Patrick’s Religious Formation program celebrated Religious Education week with special activities and hospitality after the 9 and 10:30 AM Sunday Masses on Sunday, April 8th, 2009. Pictured is some of the work posted in Canning Hall.

Second grade students recently celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation during a special service.

Second grade students from St. Patrick School celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation last Saturday, March 7th, 2009. Following the Mass and Sacrament, many families gathered in Canning Hall for brunch.

St. Patrick's Religious Formation Program students in Level 6 celebrated a special liturgy during the 5:00 PM Family Mass on Saturday, January 31st, 2009. Young people were invited to the front of the church to listen to Fr. Jilson's homily and to ask questions. Following the Mass, students in the Level 6 program and their families enjoyed triva games with prizes, pizza, ice cream and raffles in Canning Hall. Proceeds from the raffles went to LifeNet, a parish-based program established to assist and support those women and their families experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

Many students in Level 2 of our Religious Formation program received the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time on Saturday, January 17th, 2009. Congratulations to all!