Youth Faith Formation

Greetings Families!

Welcome! The Paulist Center Family Religious Education Program (FREP) is a collection of programs, events, activities, and opportunities that support and encourage families as they live, pray, and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Partnering with volunteer teachers, we help nurture and support children’s spiritual and religious potential through classroom instruction, prayer, the celebration of the sacraments, and social justice – all done within the context of the Catholic tradition.

The goal of catechesis is not simply to confirm children in 9th or 10th grade but to form future adults who are fully prepared to lead a life of discipleship in Christ. Religious Education is a way of developing conscious and active participation in the worship, service, and mission of the Church. Our goal is to support children’s faith formation of the Catholic Christian as a spiritual, moral, and discerning person.

Our Faith Formation Program for children begins in 1st Grade and continues through our Sr. High Youth Group, Grades 9-12. The sacrament of First Holy Communion takes place in 2nd Grade, First Reconciliation in Grades 2-4, and the Sacrament of Youth Confirmation in 9th & 10th Grades. (Teen Confirmation at the Paulist Center happens every other year; the next year will be 2024-2025.)

We invite all families to register your child(ren) for our formal religious education programs Grades 1-6, Jr. High Youth Group (Grades 7-8) and Sr. High Youth Group (Grades 9-12) and/or for a desired sacrament. We highly encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities provided for children to form their faith through our formal programs, liturgies, family socials, intergenerational classes and service projects. New families are invited to reach out to Susan Rutkowski (link to email) for help getting connected to current families in our program to find support and companionship in our faith community.

TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES:

The tabs and calendars  on the faith formation page include descriptions of the programs and activities offered by the Paulist Center Family Religious Education Program. Please read them over and register by completing the registration form.

Religious Education for Grades 1-6

Jr. and Sr. High Youth Groups

Pay the FREP fee either online (www.paulistcenter.org/Giving/Donate & choose the Family Ministry Program line) or send in a check with your mailed registration form. With the high cost of inflation affecting all materials used for our Religious and Sacramental Prep Programs, we needed to increase the registration fee for FREP to cover expenses of books, craft supplies (for classrooms and group events), and food for social and group events. Therefore, in the current year, the registration fees remain at $175 for one child, $200 for two children, $225 for three children, $250 for four children.

**As always, we can make other arrangements for any families where these fees would be a financial hardship. Please contact Susan Rutkowski. Any amount donated over and above your child’s fee will be used to help others as needed.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any of the information above, please contact Susan Rutkowski at susan@paulistcenter.org or 617-948-2426. All of the staff look forward to the return of and engagement with all of the wonderful children and teens at the Paulist Center! Look forward to seeing you in the fall!

Registration is required for these programs. View this year’s registration form to sign up now.

FREP Calendar for 2025-2026

(printable pdf)

*Some dates are potentially subject to change as the year progresses.

**Jr. & Sr. High Dates: Orientation to Mosaic Interfaith Program on Sept. 28^th at 11:15 am, along with monthly gatherings from 2-5 pm (April & May dates TBA).