Religious Ed Calendar 2026-2027

To the families of St. Mary religious education students:

Welcome to the new school year! We are excited to get going with this year’s program and to work with you to share the Catholic faith with your children. Please note that although our pastors are shared with Abbotsford and Dorchester, we will continue to have separate programs at this time for the two parish communities. We have outlined below what the religious education program will look like this year.  Parents are always welcome to attend classes with their child.

Program Information:

• The first night of classes will be September 30. A bus will be available from Colby Elementary for students attending the early program. Please let your child’s school know if you intend for them to ride the bus to St. Mary on Wednesdays. 
• Class meeting times and locations are as follows:
  • 3:45 - 5 p.m.
    • Grades K-1 – Will meet in the Parish Office for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Atrium. Students will be met at the bus the first night to show them where to go.
    • Grade 2 - Will meet in the 2nd grade classroom of the school to work to continue First Reconciliation and First Communion preparation. Students will meet by the school office on the first night of classes to show them to their classroom.
    • Grade 3-5 - Will meet in the St. Mary middle school. Students will be directed to their classroom as they enter the school.  
  • 6:30 - 8 p.m.
    • Middle School (Grades 6-8) - These classes will meet in the St. Mary middle school classrooms.  Students will be directed to their classroom as they enter the school.  
    • Confirmation Preparation (Grades 9-11) - Will meet in the St. Mary middle school classrooms and in the church at times. Parents are welcome (and encouraged) to come and listen in on any classes, including any speakers. Students must complete all requirements of the program prior to being Confirmed. Students missing requirements will be delayed Confirmation.
• All families participating in the Religious Education Program at St. Mary Help of Christians must be active, registered members of our parish family. An active member attends Mass regularly, supports the financial needs of the parish, and participates in ministries of the parish. If you are not registered with our parish and would like to, contact the parish office at 715-223-3048. Exceptions may be made, however, they need to be approved by the DRE and/or Pastor.  
• Registration: Please complete and return the above registration form for all children intending to participate in St. Mary Religious Education by September 11. It is important that we have current information for families participating. Families who do not have current registration forms on file will be removed from our contacts and classlists as withdrawn from our program.
• Cost: $50/student or capped at $125/family. Remember that you can use the Scrip program to bank credits toward your religious education tuition. Please see the above Scrip handout for more information on using this program. If you have scrip credits, you will receive a separate email regarding the amount currently available.
• Safe Environment: All students and parents are required to be trained in the Safe Environment program. Instructions for how to complete this training (both parents and students) are found on the Safe Environment section on the registration form. If you have any trouble accessing this information, please contact the DRE or the parish office. If you choose to decline training for your child, please contact the Parish Office for the declination form. We are required by the Diocese of La Crosse to have completed training documents or the declination form on file for all families participating in the program.
• Flocknotes: We will use this program to send out all updates about religious education, using the indicated information on your registration forms. This includes changes in class schedules and reminders of upcoming events. You also can reply to any Flocknote to reach the Director of Religious Education.

Class Attendance Requirements:

1) 90% class attendance is required.   Missing significant classes in a sacramental program may delay the reception of the sacrament.

2) If a child will be absent, parents should contact the DRE via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by replying to any Flocknote message received from the religious education office. Alternatively, a message can be left with the parish office.  

3) Students can miss up to 3 classes no questions asked (please still let us know your child will be absent for planning purposes). Parents will be contacted after a student misses 3 classes.  

4) Students will be responsible to complete any material missed during class

5) In the event of excessive absences, students may be required to repeat the class