Continuing Religious Education (CRE)

Parental Role:  In his “Letter to Families”, His Holiness Pope John Paul II affirmed that parents are the “first and most important educators of their own children.”  CRE classes support your mission and rely on your “constant and active” participation in your child’s religious education.
Catechesis is a gradual process helping our students / catechumens grow in faith and relationship with Jesus, as well as identity and participation in His Church. Therefore, it is highly recommended that students progress through all eight years of religious education as the curriculum builds upon itself each year and is designed to provide comprehensive faith formation.  

Special Announcements
Thank you for a blessed catechetical year!
Registrations for 2026-2027 CRE Classes are due by August 30
(note: $10 discount if you register before June 30.)

CRE Registration 2026-2027 Now Open! CLICK HERE
Apply online or on paper (forms sent home March 22/23/24)
$10 discount per child before June 30! Square Payment Link

Has your child missed First Grade religious education?
Both 1st & 2nd grade are required for First Confession and First Communion. The First Grade lessons are an important foundation to be ready for the Second Grade lessons on the Sacraments. Classes for candidates (and their parents) will be held Thursday mornings in the summer.
Must register before June 15. Baptism Certificate required at time of Registration.
Please contact Mrs. Rajnicek for this summer catch-up opportunity. CRE@stlawrenceparish.com

Important CRE Dates
April 29 2nd grade Rehearsals
May 02 First Communion
May 03 May Crowning 10:00am Mass
June 10 VBS Registration Due
June 15 CRE Discount ends
August 30 CRE Registrations Due

Download Forms & Parent Updates here
April 13/14, 2026 Parent Update
Entry Procedure Change
2025-2026 Parent Handbook

Sacrament Preparation
for Children:

Preparation for First Reconciliation occurs during second grade for students who have been baptized in the Catholic Church and have completed the first year of Religious Education. A Mini-Retreat (for candidates and their parents) will be held in October to begin preparation for the sacrament.
Mini-Retreat for Child & Parent Fall 2026: to be announced
First Reconciliation Spring 2027: to be announced

Preparation for First Eucharist also occurs during second grade for students who have been baptized in the Catholic Church and have completed the first year of Religious Education. A Mini-Retreat (for candidates and their parents) begins the lessons for the second semester.  The solemn masses for First Eucharist will be celebrated in late April or early May, usually on a Saturday morning. Specific information will be provided at the Mini-Retreat.

Enrollment Prayer Fall 2026: 
Mass time TBA
our candidates will continue to wear their ribbon/buttons to Sunday Masses as a sign of their candidacy , and our parish family will pray for them all year as they prepare for First Communion

Mini-Retreat for Child & Parent Winter 2027:
(for 2nd graders 2026-2027)
TBA
Banner Instructions with pattern samples here

Rehearsal: (for 2nd graders 2025-2026)
Wednesday, April 29, 2026 5:30pm & 7:00pm

First Eucharist Masses: (for 2nd graders 2025-2026)
Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:00am & 12:30pm

Older First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Additional classes are offered for older students (grade 3 and above) who are baptized in the Catholic Church and have completed one year of formal religious education. Parents and Godparents are welcome and encouraged to attend with their child. Please contact the CRE office for more information.

Confirmation - 8th Grade:
Preparation for Confirmation includes 7th & 8th grade religious education for students who have been baptized in the Catholic Church at a younger age. Opportunities for service (as an individual, with class, and with Sponsor) are provided (see some suggestions here)

Confirmation Dedication: (7th & 8th graders attend Dedication)
Mass time will be announced before classes begin
8th grade candidates sign Commitment Form in class

Retreat/Rehearsal Candidates & Sponsors:  (for 8th graders 2026-2027)
Retreat date will be announced before classes begin

Confirmation Mass for 8th Grade Candidates 2027
Mass time will be announced upon receipt from the Bishop’s office
(sponsors, families, and guests attend mass)

Confirmation for Adults - Summer 2026
Baptized Catholic adults, 9th grade and older, who are seeking Confirmation are invited to a summer class (comprised of 6 sessions). Candidates attend with Parents and/or Sponsor. Classes held Tuesdays, 6:30pm
June 16 and 30
July 14 and 28
August 11 and 25
Confirmation to be celebrated before Lent (exact date TBA)
Sponsors are highly encouraged to attend with their candidates. 
To register, please contact our Director, Lisa Rajnicek CRE@stlawrenceparish.com

Looking for a children’s Missal?
Here are some suggestions

Level 1 Atrium for Ages 3 to 6 and Special Needs
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is religious education with a Montessori approach to nurture a relationship with Jesus and love for His Church. Children experience the Gospel through sensory rich materials related to Scripture and Liturgy. Classes meet in our Atrium, a sacred space designed for prayer and listening to God’s Word. Class size is limited to 10 children per session.

CGS Classes follow the CRE calendar September thru April. 
Class times/sessions are Sundays 10:00, Mondays 6:30, or Tuesdays 6:30.
 Registration required.

Adult Faith Formation
Explore opportunities to continue growing in faith and understanding of Jesus, Sacred Scripture, and the teachings of the Church.

Archdiocese of Detroit Religion Curriculum
Explore our goals and resources for Discipleship Formation in our Parishes and Schools.

For those seeking to join the Catholic Church

OCIA for Adults  Order of Christian Initiation:
We welcome all adults seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Holy Church in the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.  Our time together in prayer, at Mass, and in classes will be a gradual process of reflection and discovery of the Paschal Mystery.  The Parish family of St. Lawrence supports all candidates with prayer, fellowship and service. Download Introduction
Contact Lisa to begin!  CRE@stlawrenceparish.com 

Summer 2026 Inquiry Sessions with Mrs. Rajnicek
Meets every other Monday, 6:30pm.
Inquirers are welcome to attend as they are able during the summer.
May 18 June 08 & 22
July 13 & 27 August 10 & 24
September 14

Weekly classes begin September 28 with Fr. Radek.
Contact Lisa to begin!  CRE@stlawrenceparish.com 

OCIA for Children  Order of Christian Initiation:
Students in third grade or older who are interested in preparing for Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Eucharist are invited to attend OCIA classes for Children. Parents and Sponsors also attend the classes and Masses together to prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation, usually celebrated during the Easter Vigil.

Weekly classes held September thru April.
Please contact Lisa Rajnicek, our Director, to begin! 
CRE@stlawrenceparish.com

Special Needs Religious Education
All Belong!
Children of all abilities are welcome! Feel free to contact our Director, Lisa Rajnicek, to share your child’s abilities so we can best meet your needs. We are blessed with caring, experienced catechists who can provide small group or individual instruction.

We need more catechists for our Special Needs learners. Do you have a few hours a week to learn more about this rewarding ministry?

Start your journey with a short online course from the Archdiocese of Detroit - All Belong: Inclusion in Ministry. This video course aims to inspire the church community across the AOD to embrace and empower persons with disabilities to realize their full potential to know, love and serve the Lord, as well as achieve full membership and belonging in our faith community.
https://learn.egwdetroit.org/courses/all-belong-inclusion-in-ministry

Safe Environment Requirements   
All parish & school adult volunteers who interact with children and vulnerable adults must complete the safe environment training session, Protecting God’s Children. High School age volunteers must complete a session called Healthy Relationships for Teens.
For first time volunteers, go to Virtus.org to register for a training session. You will receive a certificate a few days after completion, which you must provide to your local supervisor.
Recertification is required every three (3) years. If you are not up to date, then your Virtus account has been deactivated. Do not create a duplicate account.
Contact your local Virtus admin, Lisa Rajnicek in the CRE Office, for assistance to access your Virtus account if you are not able to log in. Anyone who completed the initial Protecting God’s Children training has a Virtus account, whether or not you have been using it.

Prayers for peace and health to all our families,
Lisa Rajnicek, M.Ed., MAPS
Director of Discipleship Formation - North Macomb #1 Family of Parishes
Director of Continuing Religious Education - St. Lawrence Parish
44633 Utica Road, Utica MI 48317
(586) 731-5072 ext. 245
CRE@stlawrenceparish.com

S eek Jesus’ Mercy
T rust Jesus’ Mercy
L ive Jesus Mercy       

C hildren and Families who
R ely on the mercy of Jesus and
E cho the Good News!