Mission Statement
It is the purpose of the Blessed Trinity Board of Religious Education to assist the pastor and director of religious education with matters concerning the Religious Education of Blessed Trinity Parish. The Blessed Trinity Board of Religious Education strives to ensure and meet the educational mission of Blessed Trinity.
Members of the Board of Religious Education
- Father Patrick Sheedy – Pastor
- Barry Meehan – Religious Education Coordinator
- Scott Bolton – Angels in Arms
- Megan Losito – Blessed Trinity School
- Sr. Magalis – Spanish Community
- Terry Stoothoff – Christ Renews His Parish
- Ed Hamilton – RCIA
- Jim Ranieri – Youth Ministry
Welcome!
Whether you are looking for information for the first time or have been long-time participants in our Faith Formation programs, we are glad you’re here! Our goal as a parish, and our religious education programs, is to foster each parishioner’s lifelong search to encounter and follow Jesus Christ. Drawing on the resources of our Catholic tradition, we are continually adapting our programming to better reach that goal. We hope you will take the time to learn about our many opportunities.
Faith Formation programs are available in English and Spanish for children and youth and their families. Components include instruction in the foundations of the Catholic faith, prayer life, sacramental preparation, retreats, service projects, and social gatherings.
Learn more about the variety of religious education classes we offer as well as preparation for Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Communion and Confirmation.
We always need more volunteers to make our Faith Formation program possible! If you’re interested in living out your Catholic faith in a new way and supporting the mission of our parish contact thyde@blessedtrinity.org
Faith Formation staff are available Sunday through Thursday.
Important Documents:
2021-2022 Confirmation Calendar & Handbook
2021-2022 First Holy Communion Calendar & Handbook
Blessed Trinity Church Religious Education Policies
In order to best serve you, we ask that you carefully review the following policies. By registering your children in any of our programs you are indicating your review of an agreement to these policies:
Worship: The first, and most important, expectation of our program is that families will worship regularly with us at Sunday liturgy. This is the central activity and tenet of our faith, and to not include it in our regular catechetical practices is to take away the crux of both our faith and our community.
Attendance: Class Children and young people are expected to be present for all classes, retreats, service projects, and special events (as per the student’s calendar). We recognize that illnesses and other unplanned conflicts may arise, and of course we want what is best for your family. However, in the interest of the well-being of the program and all of its participants, we ask that you observe the following:
When a child will be absent, please notify the office at 352.629.8092, ext 3207 or bmeehan@blessedtrinity.org We are responsible for your children while they are with us. It helps us greatly to know when they will not be here. Students who infrequently attend faith formation lack the opportunity to build and feel comfortable within a community, and also have less of a chance to build and explore their faith. A child is expected to have no more than 4 excused absences per year. After 4 absences, the family will be contacted about the child’s well-being.
Arrival & Departure: Catechists and staff members are on hand to welcome and be with your children 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after class. For the safety of your children and the courtesy of allowing catechists to attend liturgy on time, please be prompt in picking up your children. Please also note that students in grade 5 and below must be picked up by a parent.
Behavior: We expect that our students are loving, polite, enthusiastic, responsible, and respectful. However, there are times when a student’s behavior may fall outside what is acceptable in a parish setting. Behavioral issues will be addressed on an individual basis.
Photography: Please advise the Faith Formation staff, and your child[ren]’s catechist if you would like Blessed Trinity to refrain from taking and using photographs of your child[ren] for the purposes of parish promotion and education.
Liability: By participating in our Faith Formation program, you agree that no liability is assumed by Blessed Trinity Church, its parish staff, chaperones, volunteers, or its affiliates for claims that may arise out of activities done through the Faith Formation program. If you have any questions about any of these policies, please contact the Coordinator of Religious Education: Barry Meehan 352.629.8092, ext 3207 or bmeehan@blessedtrinity.org
Sacraments
Baptism
Baptism begins your child’s journey of faith. As a welcoming parish community, Blessed Trinity is committed to help you in every possible way as you raise your child in faith.
Parents are expected to attend a baptismal preparation session.
Families with school-age children looking to begin their Christian initiation through baptism should contact the Coordinator of Religious Education bmeehan@blessedtrinity.org to discuss preparation for the sacrament.
First Holy Communion
Our First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation program is open to students in Grade 2 and above and is conducted in both English and Spanish. The expectation is that a child entering this program has been baptized and has already participated in at least one year of Faith Formation. If your child has not yet been baptized, please contact Teresa Hyde 352.629.8092, ext 3207.
Typically, children prepare over the course of 2nd grade and receive these sacraments in the spring. We recognize the uniqueness of each child and understand that this may happen later than 2nd grade, depending on the child’s individual needs and the family’s situation. It is never too late for your child to begin preparing to receive the sacraments. Please contact us about the timing of these sacraments for your child if you have any questions.
Families may register their child for these sacraments in the fall when they register for G.I.F.T. (growing in faith together) program. Families who have their children enrolled at Blessed Trinity school need only register for “Catholic School Students – First Communion Prep” in 2nd grade with their schoolteacher. Because your child receives formal religious education as part of their school curriculum, we do not require that they participate in our weekly Growing in Faith Together Program on Sunday, though they are more than welcome to do so.
Above all, it is our expectation that families are active participants in our Sunday liturgies and classroom instruction throughout the year. Consistent class attendance is required in order for a child to be on track to receive the sacraments. Please consider a child’s sport and extracurricular schedule and ensure that your family can commit to the G.I.F.T. program at this time. If there are other circumstances that might impact your child’s attendance, please contact us upon registering so that we can make necessary arrangements. After four unexplained absences, families will be contacted about their child’s well-being.
Additional preparation for these two sacraments includes Fr. Pat’s 3 Sacramental Classes. First Reconciliation generally occurs in January. First Eucharist occurs in May in English and in Spanish. First Eucharist preparation also includes a mandatory rehearsal prior to your child’s First Communion celebration. Families are asked to select the First Eucharist celebration in which they would like to participate.
Confirmation
Confirmation I – Called to be Catholic –(7th grade)
Confirmation I curriculum “Chosen” invites candidates into a personal and communal exploration of the foundational beliefs of the Catholic Church, including but not limited to Revelation, Scripture, Tradition, the Trinity, Jesus Christ, the Church, the Sacraments, the Moral Life, and Catholic Social Thought.
Confirmation II – Confirmed in the Spirit -(8th grade)
Blessed Trinity’s Confirmation II curriculum “Chosen” by Ascension Press invites candidates into a process of intentional formation for the Sacrament of Confirmation that emphasizes self-reflection an emphasis on being fully initiated into the Catholic Church. The second year of formation strives to build upon the foundational beliefs explored in Confirmation I.
Typical Session Sunday – 10:00 A.M. to 10:50 A.M. G.I.F.T. (growing in faith together)
Typical Session Wednesday 7:00-8:30 P.M. (High School Confirmation Class)
- Check In ~ [5-10 minutes]
Meeting in regular small groups to talk about lives outside Blessed Trinity and build community - Prayer ~ [5-10 minutes]
Rotating types and styles each week that are intentionally paired with the theme - Lesson ~ [15 minutes]
- Small Group Discussion Time ~ [20 minutes]
Consistent small groups, changing at semester - Takeaways/Closing Prayer ~ [5 minutes]
Eligibility
Students in Grade 8 and above are eligible to begin preparation for Confirmation and will typically receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in February. The expectation is that youth entering this program have received the sacraments of Baptism, First Reconciliation, and First Eucharist, and are actively practicing their faith. We implemented a comprehensive two-year Confirmation program to ensure adequate sacramental preparation for our young people to become active members of our Catholic parish faith community. If there are special circumstances that have impacted their sacramental preparation, please contact Teresa Hyde Coordinator of Religious Education 352.629.8092, ext 3207 or thyde@blessedtrinity.org before registering for Confirmation.
Above all, it is our expectation that youth preparing for Confirmation are active participants in the Sunday liturgy at Blessed Trinity and are present in the Confirmation classes. Consistent class attendance is required in order for youth to be on track to receive the sacraments. Please consider their sport and extracurricular schedule and ensure that your family can commit to our Religious Education program. If there are other circumstances that might impact your teen’s attendance, please contact us upon registering so that we can make necessary arrangements. Two absences are permitted. There is a required program retreat. The Confirmadi and their parent(s) are required to attend four of Fr. Pat’s Sacramental Preparation Classes.
