Continuing Religious Education (CRE)

Special Announcements:
Thank you for a blessed catechetical year!
Registration for 24-25 is due before August 30th.

2024-2025 CRE Registration
ONLINE! Start Here

Important CRE Dates
May 10 VBS Registration Discount ends
June 10 VBS Registration closes
June 26 VBS Catechist Meeting
July 15-19 VBS week (no registrations accepted after June 10)
August 30 CRE Registration Due

Level I 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.

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.

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: October 7, 2023
First Reconciliation: April 18, 2024 6:00pm

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:  Sunday, October 29, 2023 
10:00am or 12:00Noon Masses (choose one)

Mini-Retreat for Child & Parent: January 6, 2024
Banner Instructions with pattern samples here

Rehearsal: May 1, 2024    5:00pm & 6:30pm

First Eucharist Masses: May 4, 2024 10:00am & 12:00 Noon

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.

Confirmation Dedication: (both 7th & 8th graders attend Dedication)
October 15, 2023 at 12:00Noon Mass

Retreat/Rehearsal Candidates & Sponsors:  (8th graders 2023-24)
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 9:00am-1:00pm

Confirmation Mass for 8th Grade Candidates
Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:00pm
(sponsors, families, and guests attend mass)

Confirmation for Adults - Summer 2024
Baptized Catholic adults seeking Confirmation are invited to a summer class (comprised of 6 sessions) Thursdays 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Library
May 30, June 13 & 27, July 25, August 8 & 22.  download flyer
Sponsors are encouraged to attend with their candidates. 
To register, please contact our Director, Lisa Rajnicek CRE@stlawrenceparish.com

Vacation Bible School
July 15-19, 2024
SCUBA
Helping our kids dive deeper into friendship with God and explore unfathomable faith!
Adult Catechists needed! 
Mandatory Catechist meeting June 26.
Call the CRE Office for details.
Registration now open! (Click here)
NOTE: if your grade-level is full, select “YOUTH” for waitlist.
We need more grade-level leaders to open more classes!
$35/camper PK-5th gr BEFORE May 10
$40/camper PK-5th gr AFTER May 10
$10/each Grades 6 thru 12
T-shirts included for all participants and volunteers!
Registration closes June 10
(no registrations accepted after June 10)

Youth Ministry
Youth Groups, Mission Trips, and Service Opportunities are offered throughout the year for our young adults, junior high students, and senior high school students to live and grow as joyful disciples.

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 (RCIA) for Adults 
Order (Rite) 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.

Summer Inquiry Sessions - twice a month
Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:00pm
April 16 & 30; May 07 & 21; June 04 & 18;
July 09 & 23; August 06 & 20; Sept 10 & 24
view schedule here

Classes facilitated by Fr. Alex and Mrs. Lisa Rajnicek.  Please contact Lisa Rajnicek, our Director, to begin!  CRE@stlawrenceparish.com 

OCIA (RCIA) for Children 
Order (Rite) 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 RCIA 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-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   
Volunteers who took the
Protecting God’s Children class
prior to January, 2020 must complete the recertification module online. 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. Do not create a duplicate account. Anyone who attended Protecting God’s Children 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