Continuing Religious Education (CRE)
Welcome Home!
CRE Mission: We echo the Gospel and mercy of Jesus Christ to help our students grow in their relationship with God. Catechesis centers on sharing the Good News of Jesus, presenting Christian values and principles, building community, and leading people into service and prayer. We welcome all students to our Continuing Religious Education classes to accompany them on our journey of faith in Jesus!
Special Announcements
CRE Registrations are Due by August 30 for Grades K-8.
Help Wanted: We need 4 catechists - grades 3, 7, and Special Needs.
Please contact our Director, Lisa Rajnicek, to apply.
2025-2026 CRE Registration link
2025-2026 Extra CRE Medical Form link
2025-2026 CRE Payment link
Important CRE Dates
August 30 CRE Registrations Due
September 21 Catechetical Sunday
Sept 28/29/30 CRE Classes begin
Download Forms & Parent Updates here
April Parent Update
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.
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:
First Reconciliation
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: Saturday, October 4, 2025 9:30am-11:30am
First Reconciliation: Thursday, April 16, 2026 6:00pm
First Eucharist
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 26, 2025 Noon Mass
candidates wear ribbon/button to Sunday Masses please pray for them
Mini-Retreat for Child & Parent:
Saturday, January 10, 2026 9:30am-11:30am
Banner Instructions with pattern samples here
Rehearsal: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 5:30pm & 7:00pm
First Eucharist Masses:
Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:00am & 12:30pm
(parents will be notified of their Mass time later in the Fall - after September)
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
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)
Sunday, October 12, 2025 10:00am Mass
8th grade candidates sign Commitment Form in class
Retreat/Rehearsal Candidates & Sponsors:
(for 8th graders 2025-2026)
Saturday, January 24, 2026 9:00am-1:00pm
Confirmation Mass for 8th Grade Candidates 2026
Thursday, February 5, 2026 7:00pm
(sponsors, families, and guests attend mass)
Confirmation for Adults - Summer 2025
Baptized Catholic adults seeking Confirmation are invited to a summer class (comprised of 6 sessions). Begins Monday June 9, 2025 6:30pm.
Sponsors are encouraged to attend with their candidates.
To register, please contact our Director, Lisa Rajnicek CRE@stlawrenceparish.com
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.
Download Introduction
Summer 2025 Inquiry Sessions flyer
6:30pm in the Parish Resource Center (next to Parish Office)
June 17,
July 15 & 29
August 12 & 26
Sept 15 & 30
Classes facilitated by Mrs. Lisa Rajnicek., our Director of Discipleship Formation.
Contact Lisa 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
All parish & school adult volunteers 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.
Volunteers who took the Protecting God’s Children class prior to January, 2020 must complete the recertification module online with your Virtus 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. Do not create a duplicate account. Anyone who completed the initial Protecting God’s Children training has a Virtus account, whether or not you have been using it.
John 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
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!