45 Freestone Avenue, Portland, CT 06480
(860) 342-2308
stmaryportlandfaith@gmail.com
Faith Formation: -the new title for our Religious Education program, more accurately describes who we are and brings us in sync with our deanery brothers and sisters. Our faith is a daily journey of discoveries which form our bond with our Heavenly Father. May we continously strive to further our faith formation! See below for 2020-2021 important information.
Susan Ferraiolo - Director of Faith Formation
Jamie Foreman - Assistant Coordinator Faith Formation
Mission Statement:
“Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”-Mark 10:13-16
Welcome to Saint Mary Faith Formation where we strive to teach children that a gracious and loving Father welcomes us into the Catholic faith.
We work with the entire family to be sure the children have a positive experience. Regular attendance at the Sunday liturgy is an integral part of their education. For older youths there is a Teen Mass on the first Sunday of every month where they are encouraged to worship with their peers and participate in the youth ministry.
“We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.”- Hebrews 10:25
Our staff and volunteers are available to meet with parents and students to address any concerns.
Faith Formation Program change for 2020-2021:
The Diocese of Norwich has decided that parish faith formation programs should be online for the fall, as it would be near impossible to implement all the precautions that need to be in place in our parishes. The focus will be on ministering to our families, rather than the formal instructions that so many are used to.
Beginning in October for all families with children in grades 1-8, we will be meeting once a month online (October through April) for a one hour family program (parents and children) that focuses on 7 different parables of Jesus and how we can live out His important messages in our daily lives. Note: Again, this once a month program is for families with students in grades 1-8. We will be foregoing the current grade 6 & 7 online programs and the grade 8 pre-Confirmation program for this year only. Grade 8 will enter directly into the Confirmation program, as scheduled for the following year.
If you have not yet sent in your registration form, please do so as soon as possible.
NOTE:
Confirmation students (grades 9 and older)
First Communion students (grades 3 and older)
will begin online preparations in January. More information will follow
at a later date.
Please feel free to email the office should you have any questions or concerns: StMaryPortlandFaith@gmail.com