2024 - 2025 Program Year​

Welcome!

The mission of the Immaculate Conception Parish Religious Education Program is “to go and make disciples of all nations, using the faith tools of prayer, study, generosity and evangelization.” The Religious Education program aims to help every member of the family thrive in these four areas of faith. 

Below is an overview of the Program for Grades one through seven. Please review carefully. Registration form(s) to enroll, or reenroll, your child(ren) for the 2024‐2025 school year can be found here.

Our program consists of: 

• Weekly catechesis 
• Weekly Mass attendance 
• Seasonal Parish‐wide activities, including Advent Retreat, Stations of the Cross, Praying the Rosary 
• The IC Family Lenten Service Project (Corporal Works of Mercy)

The obligation to attend weekly Mass exists for all of us. 

The celebration of the Eucharist is the foundation of all faith. Immaculate Conception’s religious education program consists of families attending Mass together every weekend, to hear the word of God, to lift prayers to our Heavenly Father, and to receive our Lord's Body in Holy Communion. 

Families may continue to attend their Mass of preference; Mass times are Saturday at 4pm, Sunday at 7:30am, 11am and 5pm. Confessions are held on Tuesdays from 5pm to 6pm and on Saturdays from 1pm to 3pm in the Lower Church Chapel. On the first day of class, students will receive a Mass Attendance worksheet. This will enable them to keep track of Mass attendance and other planned activities throughout the year. 

Religious Education classes will be held for all grades on Monday afternoon from 4:30pm to 6pm. Classes are held at the Parish Building located at 119 Washington Street. Children’s Choir rehearsal is at 4:30pm. Families who are registered with the Parish and submit registration forms on time will receive priority. 

Students preparing for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, First Reconciliation and Penance.

This is a two‐year preparation program regardless of grade or age. We offer two options for catechesis for students in Grades 1 and 2 students on Sunday morning or Monday afternoon. Students in higher grades 3+, will attend the Sunday morning option only. 

• Sunday classes are held from 9:30am to 12 noon and include attending the 11am Sunday Mass weekly. 
• Monday classes are held from 4:30pm to 6pm. Includes attending Sunday Mass weekly.

All classes will meet at the Parish Building located on 119 Washington Street. Families who are registered with the Parish will receive priority. Failure to attend weekly Mass will result in the student repeating the program the following year. Children who attend classes on Sunday are also invited to join and participate in the children’s choir rehearsals held on Monday afternoon from 4:30pm to 5pm. 

Please note: If you choose the Monday class for sacramental preparation your child must also attend the weekly Mass of your family’s preference and please join us for the monthly children’s Mass that is always celebrated at 11am. 

A Parent Meeting for students preparing for First Holy Communion (Years 1 and 2) will be held Thursday, November 7 at 7pm in Meehan Hall.

• Sunday classes begin on September 22, 2024 at 9:30am
• Monday classes begin on September 23, 2024 at 4:30pm

We cannot stress strongly enough the importance of registering early as our space is limited. To facilitate planning, please hand in all registration paperwork as soon as possible, as materials, Catechists and helpers are needed according to the number of students in each grade level. A calendar will be emailed to families in September along with class assignments. 

Religious Education Tuition 

Tuition for Grades One through Seven is as follows: $80 per student, with a family maximum of $190 (tuition is waived if parent/guardian volunteers as a catechist). Your tuition helps pay for the curriculum and materials used during class, your prompt payment is greatly appreciated. Please return your tuition payment along with your registration form(s). 

Volunteer Opportunities 

The Parish Religious Education program relies heavily on its volunteers. Please prayerfully consider how you may assist in the program and check the boxes on the back of the Registration form. Please note that all parish volunteers must complete a CORI form and attend the Empowering God’s Children training session (held in August) prior to the start of your volunteer work. Those who volunteer as a Catechist receive tuition waivers for their children. 

​To access the registration form please click here. Download and complete the form and return it with your tuition payment to: Immaculate Conception Parish, Office of Religious Education, 9 Washington Court, Marlborough, MA 01752.

Weather Cancellation Policy for Religious Education

For Monday classes, a decision will be made by noon time. 

For Sunday classes, a decision will be made by 9:00 a.m.

An email will be sent to the address on file and a WhatsApp notification will be sent to those families who subscribe to the app.

Revised, September 17, 2024

First Holy Communion Preparation is a two-year program for all grades. We have two options for attending classes.

Option 1:

Sunday mornings from 9:30am to 12 noon for students preparing for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, years 1 and 2 and for students in the Office of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIA) program who are older and need to prepare for one or all of the Sacraments: Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation.

Option 2:

Monday afternoons from 4:30pm to 6pm. Students are also required to meet the obligation to attend weekly Mass. 

Families are invited to attend the Children's Masses (at 11am) see Calendars for dates.

Click here to access the Sunday or Monday Calendar. All dates subject to change due to Parish events.