Parish/Religious Education for 2019 and 2020:

 For our 2019-2020 program, please contact Fr. Greg.  Application forms and the schedule are now available. Deadline to apply is September 9th.

We are currently redesigning our process for next year’s Religious Education Program. Registered active parishioners who have been regularly attending our parish Masses and programs, (and have contributed financially to the parish on a regular basis) will have first preference for enrollment. However, there will be a limited number of openings for non-parishioners and non-active St. Patrick’s parishioners. Attendance of the child together with one parent is mandatory for every session. New requirements for 2019/2020:  Both parents must have a comprehensive, thorough understanding of English. And, even more importantly, the child must clearly understand and speak English. The minimum age for First Communion is now 8 years old and the Third Grade (by the first day of class) and for Confirmation it is 14 years old and the Ninth Grade. We will also be increasing the homework for the weeks inbetween the classes.  And in 2019-2020 we will only be taking a maximum of 20 students for First Communion.

The St. Patrick's Catholic American Community as St. Patrick's/San Patrizio (formerly located at Santa Susanna)  offers Religious Education Classes in English for students ages 6 through early teens, plus their parents. We have moved from a class-based school to a family-centered workshop, meeting once or twice a month. Our classes now meet at the newly renovated space at St. Patrick's Church, and in the parish hall and library below the Church. These two hour workshops meet on a Saturday from 3:30 to 5:30 PM from September to May, for a total of 11 sessions. Each workshop is followed by a Family Mass (held at 6:00 PM in St. Patrick's), in which each class takes responsibility on a rotating basis. While the children are in class, the parents have a special required class of their own that will assist them in home teaching during the weeks between the workshops. The child and both parents must be fluent in English. One English-speaking parent (they can alternate or both can attend, but both must understand English as they has been a difficulty in the past two years in comprehension) must attend all sessions. (Italian families are required by the Vicariato di Roma to receive Religious Education from their local parish church). All children and parents who wish to apply for the sacramental programs are required to meet with Fr. Greg before being accepted (these meetings take place AFTER application has been made.  These appointments take place between July 16 and September 13, 2019).  There will only be one class for First Communion next year.

Children's classes are taught  by deacons and seminarians from the North American College. There are generally two First Communion classes (age 8+) of approximately 18-20 children each. However, beginning in 2019, we will only be able to have one class with a maximum of 20 children. The Confirmation class (age 14+) contributes 12 hours of community service as part of their classroom requirement. Minimum age for First Communion is age 8 (and Third Grade, American system) when classes begin, and for Confirmation age 14 (and 9th Grade) when classes begin. We also have non-sacramental classes for children in grades 1 through 8, who are either not old enough yet to receive First Communion and Confirmation or have already received First Communion. Adult classes are taught by Fr. Greg and the new Vice Rector, plus special guest speakers. All participating parishioner families must be registered members of the St. Patrick Catholic American Community, attend all classes as well as regularly attend Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's Church or the Marymount Chapel Mass on the Via Cassia during the school year. There is a separate fee rate for and non-parishioners and non-active parishioners in the sacramental classes. If parents themselves have any questions about our program or for an application you can contact Father Greg. (after July 15, 2019)

The calendar for the 2019/2020 school year is below: (click here for a pdf version of the schedule)

Christmas Eve, Tuesday, December 24: Children's Pageant Mass at 4:30 PM; Vigil Mass at 7:30 PM (with Christmas Carol Concert at 7:00 PM); Christmas Day Masses: 9:00 AND 10:30 AM.

For other Adult Religious Education Opportunities outside of St. Patrick's Parish, please contact The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, at www.laycentre.org