Program Overview

The Parishes of the Natick Catholic Community, St. Linus Parish and St. Patrick Parish, support parents as the primary educators of their children and take seriously the obligation to assist them in the faith formation of their young children and teens.  Our overarching goal in religious education is summed up very simply: To teach as Jesus taught.  Jesus is at the heart of all religious education.

The basic objectives undergrid the curriculum of each grade:

• To bring every student closer to Jesus,
• To guide our students in the formation of values and a moral code in harmony with our Catholic Christian heritage,
• To pass along the rich tradition of the Catholic faith.

We offer faith-filled & engaging programs for children & teens in Grades 1-10.  These programs include vibrant classroom experiences, wide-ranging service outreach opportunities and meaningful family enrichment events that foster growing as disciples of Jesus. 
     
Our children in Grades 1-5 utilize Sadlier's Christ In Us Program & meet weekly at St. Linus (beginning in early October)* with the following hourly class options:

Sundays 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Thursdays 4:00-5:00 p.m. 
Thursdays 5:30-6:30 p.m. 

Our students in Grades 6, 7 & 8 follow St. Mary's Press Middle School Program & meet weekly at St. Linus (late September-December)* with the following 90 minute class options:

Sundays 2:00-3:30 p.m. 
Mondays 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

Our teens in Grade 9 engage with the Called to be Catholic Program from Loyola Press & meet at St. Linus (late September-December) on Sunday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

Our teens in Grade 10 experience the Decision Point Program from Dynamic Catholic & meet at St. Linus (January-late March) on Sunday evenings from 6:00-7:30 p.m. 

Our First Eucharist and Confirmation preparation programs consist of a two year time span. Therefore, students wishing to receive First Eucharist in Grade 2 must first complete the Grade 1 year of religious education. Likewise, students wishing to receive Confirmation in Grade 10 must first complete the Grade 9 year of religious education. If a teen attends a Catholic High School, the Grade 9 year of religious education is not required. However, all students wishing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation (including Catholic High School Students) are expected to participate in our Grade 10 Program. 

We would love to welcome you into our Religious Education Family!  Registration begins formally each year in early July but we are most happy to talk with interested families at any time! 

We also always are looking for dedicated & faith-filled volunteers to join our amazing Religious Education Catechist Team!  It is a wonderful way to share your love for the faith with our children & teens! 

Ms. Jennifer McKiernan
Director of Faith Formation
Pastoral Associate
religiousednatick@gmail.com
508-653-6005

Ms. Caitlin D'Alessio
Coordinator of Confirmation
religiousednatickcaitlin@gmail.com
508-653-6005

*Please note that due to some physical plant challenges at the Norton Center we will be meeting largely via Zoom during the coming year (Grades 1-8), as was explained in a parent email that recently went out to our current Religious Ed families.  There will be certain Sacrament Prep classes/events that we will be able to hold in-person.  2021-2022 registered families will receive a calendar with full details from the Religious Ed Office in late August.  Please visit our registration page to register!