HOMESCHOOL FAITH FORMATION SESSIONS
1. New this year:
Every homeschool student will be provided with a unique SMA email address. This will be the ONLY email address that will be accepted for Homeschool work.
Homeschool sessions will begin the week of September 10th.
Note: for grades 1-6 a book is required to begin Homeschool. The 7th and 8th grade have an on-line program which will be reviewed at the meeting. The content has been modified from the 2022-2023 year.
2. Homeschool Saturday Sessions
All Homeschool children are expected to attend three Homeschool Saturday Sessions. Each session is held at Our Lady of Grace school (310 Kane Blvd.) from 9:30-11:00. The dates are:
A Sign up will be sent out prior to each session date. You will only be able to sign up for one session at a time.
SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION:
Both First Communion and Confirmation require at least two consecutive years of formation. If you have transferred from another parish, a letter from that parish will be required stating your child’s completion of either the first or seventh grade formation.
*Note: if you have a child in either the First Communion class or Confirmation class (2nd or 8th) there will be an additional $10 fee to help with retreat costs.
FIRST COMMUNION:
A First Reconciliation and First Communion meeting is scheduled on Sunday, November 12th at 12:30 in Clairvaux Hall. At least one parent should plan on attending this. Your child may also attend at your discretion.
We are in need of a copy of all First Communicants' Baptismal Certificates.
SUBMIT BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE HERE
CONFIRMATION:
A REQUIRED meeting for both a parent and the candidate is scheduled Sunday, October 8th at 12:30 in Clairvaux Hall. If you cannot attend the meeting you will need to set up a one-on-one meeting with the Faith Formation Coordinator.
Note: Confirmation formation at SMA Faith Formation is a two-year program beginning in the 7th grade year. If you are new to our program in the 8th grade year, you will have additional work to catch up on. Contact Bethann at bpetrovich@smapgh.org as soon as possible.
If your child attends a Catholic School, the religious instruction is left to the school. There will be additional requirements (service hours, Mass reflections etc.) for Confirmation which will be reviewed at the October 8th meeting.
We are in need of all Confirmation Candidates' Baptismal Certificates and also their First Communion Certificates if you have them.
SUBMIT CERTIFICATES HERE
Transfer Requests
A transfer request is deemed requesting a transfer from one St. Bernard session to another.
Please carefully select the session time for your child/children. Each family may have ONE transfer request per year. This will be granted at the discretion of the Faith Formation Coordinator. Any additional transfer requests will be assessed a $25 fee.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Sessions, Level I (ages 3-5)
Begins Wednesday , September 13th at 9:30 a.m.
*All children must be bathroom independent
An required orientation session will be held on Thursday, September 7 by appointment.
For more info, click here or contact Bethann Petrovich at: bpetrovich@smapgh.org