Faith Formation

Religious Education

Rooting children, teens, and adults in the Catholic faith — from the earliest years of childhood through the journey of adult initiation.

At St. Jude Thaddeus, faith formation is not a single season of life — it is a lifelong invitation. Our programs walk alongside families and individuals at every stage: the wonder of a child encountering scripture for the first time, the questions of an adolescent preparing for Confirmation, and the discernment of an adult drawn toward the Church. We are glad you are here.

Enroll Today

Ready to register?

Contact the Religious Education office to enroll your child or learn more about adult initiation. The parish is happy to help you find the right program.

Contact the Office

(409) 866-5088 · stjude@stjudebmt.org

Our Programs

Formation for Every Stage of Life

From Pre-K through adulthood, each program meets people where they are and draws them deeper into the living faith of the Church.

Elementary Religious Education

Pre-K – 5th GradeWednesdays

Our Religious Education Program is designed to help each student learn, understand, grow in, and live the Catholic faith — at home, in the parish, and in the community. Catechists present the faith accurately and completely, empower children with Catholic knowledge and practice, and engage families in activities that reinforce what is taught in the classroom.

Registration: Registration is handled through the Religious Education office. Contact the office to enroll your child. // TODO: confirm registration period and form link with parish

Pam Patterson, Director — (409) 866-9595 ext. 243

Junior High Religious Education

6th – 8th GradeSunday evenings, 6:00 – 7:30 pm

Open to all junior-high youth in the parish, including those enrolled in parochial schools. Sixth grade immerses students in scripture — not merely as history, but as a living story in which they find their own. Seventh grade explores St. John Paul II's Theology of the Body, teaching God's plan for human sexuality, chastity, and authentic love. Eighth grade focuses on the Creed and the Sacraments, preparing students to enter the two-year Confirmation program. Two family nights are held each year — before Advent and during Lent — to deepen appreciation for the richness of the liturgical year. Relational ministry is central: affirmation and love are recognized as essential in the adolescent years.

Registration: Contact the Religious Education office to register. // TODO: confirm registration details with parish

Sara Brumbaugh, Director — (409) 866-5088 ext. 237

High School Religious Education

9th – 12th Grade

High school formation is divided into two tracks. Confirmation (9th–10th grade) is a two-year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation — addressing faith formation, social and liturgical ministry, and service through retreats, service projects, and parish ministry involvement. Post-Confirmation (11th–12th grade) continues the journey: Confirmation is not a graduation but a beginning. Students explore Bible study, prayer groups, adoration, retreats, and service, growing in how to encounter God through daily experience.

Registration: Contact the High School Religious Education office to register. // TODO: confirm registration details with parish

Michelle Cauley, Director — (409) 866-5088 ext. 223

Gather the Children

Children (Pre-K and up)Twice monthly, September – May, during the 9:30 am Sunday Mass

Gather the Children (GTC) is our children's Liturgy of the Word ministry. We believe children need to hear and be fed by the Word of God as much as the adult assembly. Children leave Mass after the opening rites and gather in the parish hall, where they hear the Gospel proclaimed in language suited to their age — through dialogue, songs, stories, skits, and puppets. They return to the adult assembly just before the Offertory. Interested adults are warmly invited to volunteer.

Registration: No separate registration required — children attend during Sunday Mass. Planning meetings are held at 8:00 am on GTC Sundays in Culotta Hall.

(409) 866-5088 ext. 244

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)

Adults

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the process by which adults who are curious about — or ready to pursue — becoming Catholic discern and prepare to enter the Church. Whether you have questions about the faith or are ready to take the next step, Fr. Steve Leger is glad to accompany you through the process.

Registration: Contact Fr. Steve Leger at (409) 866-5088 or stjude@stjudebmt.org to begin. Additional resources — including an OCIA FAQ and video — are available through the parish office.

Fr. Steve Leger — (409) 866-5088 ext. 220 · stjude@stjudebmt.org

For Teens

Looking for Youth Ministry?

High-school students preparing for Confirmation and beyond are also part of our vibrant Youth Ministry — where faith meets friendship, service, and real formation for life.

Explore Youth Ministry