About GIFT

Are you or do you know a high school student who…

…wants to explore the Catholic faith and perhaps become Catholic

…has been baptized but not received faith formation

…has received Baptism, Reconciliation, and Eucharist but not Confirmation

…wants to refresh and reconnect with your Catholic faith

Then our peer-led program  held twice a month starting this fall is for you!

Contact Michele Poligardo for more info

410-796-2720 or michele@ccasta.org

Thanks for checking out our Parish Religious Education Program - Growing in Faith Together, or GIFT.  

Stay tuned for informational meetings.

We have eliminated our “three or more children” rate so there is now only “one child” and “two or more children” rates, and these rates are the same as last year. We have a time-tiered structure so the earlier you register the more you save. Fees increase on July 1^st and again on August 16^th. 

Our program is offered on Sunday mornings (9:05-10:15 AM) at our Ascension campus and Tuesday evenings (6:30-7:45 PM) at our St. Augustine campus for students in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

All classes run from mid-September through mid-May. There is time off for the holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. 

Families are super-busy and sometimes it’s hard to fit it all in. So, we’re offering something to help.

Parents by virtue of their child’s baptism are given the awesome and daunting role of primary educators in the faith. What does that mean? How do I do it? It means that you have the first and primary responsibility for helping your child to discover God’s love and grow in a relationship with Him. As a parish, we are called to assist you and supplement your efforts. So that’s where GIFT comes in.

GIFT: Families with children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade participate in our GIFT family formation program. Families with children in 4^th-6^th grade are also encouraged to be part of GIFT. You will be on the parish campus twice a month for faith formation.

Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) Family Program allows you to interact with your children on matters of faith and life while enjoying the support of your parish community. It also fits into the busy lifestyles of today’s families who learn a lot through activities and not workbooks.

·         Meet with your larger faith formation community once a month on Sunday morning or Tuesday evening for a speaker series for parents while children attend class.

·          Join with your nuclear family throughout the month enjoying mealtime conversations, prayer, games, and activities to grow in faith together as a family using the materials provide for two lessons. One lesson for all your children at the same time!

·          Meet with your small faith formation community (3 families) once a month on Sunday morning or Tuesday evening for fellowship, prayer, and faith-building activities using the materials provided for a fun lesson together.

If your children are in 6th grade or younger and you want autonomy in your schedule, fellowship with your parish family, and a deeper relationship with God and one another, the GIFT is for you.  Questions?  Contact Cathy Carlin, Director of Family Faith Formation below.   

PREP : Children in 4^th – 6^th grade have the option of a traditional weekly classroom model using the Alive in Christ text. You will be on the parish campus four times a month for faith formation. The traditional classroom program will be phased out by 2022 or sooner. GIFT is also an option for your family.

           Youth in 7^th grade will participate in our small group relational ministry model for faith formation. You will be on the campus twice a month for faith formation. (same weeks as GIFT)

           Youth in 8^th grade or older (who have not been confirmed) will participate in our small group relational ministry model as well.  This is the first year of our two year Confirmation program.  You will be on campus twice a month for faith formation (same weeks as GIFT)

Special Needs Faith Formation:  We offer a weekly program on Sunday mornings. This program provides shorter sessions, one on one mentors, and parent support. It is available to any person of any age with a learning disability who desires to receive sacraments and faith formation.

Register for GIFT or PREP now!

We are happy to talk with you individually if you have questions so please feel free to contact us.

PREP or GIFT, please contact Cathy Carlin, our Director of Family Faith Formation.

PREP or Special Needs Faith Formation, please contact Michele Poligardo, our Coordinator of Special Needs and Faith Formation.