Children’s Faith Formation/CCD Program

Our Commitment To You

Welcome!

At The Basilica of Saint Mary, our Children’s Faith Formation/CCD Program aims to complement and supplement a Catholic parents responsibility to lead, teach, and raise their children in the faith. Parents are the primary educators of children. By your examples of weekly Sunday Mass attendance, prayer, receiving and living the Sacraments, reading scripture and other spiritual works, attending Catholic faith presentations/joining a parish ministry, striving for a more personal relationship with the Lord, and performing works of mercy, your children will come to know and love the faith.

From the Baptism Rite:

After the parents request the Sacrament of Baptism for their child and as part of the Rite of Baptism, the priest or deacon states, “You are accepting the responsibility of training your child in the practice of the faith.” Then, before the pouring of water, the instruction to the parents is repeated: “Make it your constant care to bring your child up in the practice of the faith.”

As a parish apostolate with volunteer catechists, we desire to provide support and encouragement as you seek to fulfill this responsibility. One way we do that is with our weekly Catechism, Children’s Faith Formation or CCD classes (September – May). Children, kindergarten (age 5) through year 8/high school, are welcome. New in 2024 – Atrium/Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for kindergarten children! CGS is a religious formation methodology for children that unites adults and children in a common religious experience. Based on Montessori principles of education, CGS was developed in Rome in 1954 by Sofia Cavaletti and Gianna Gobbi. They were inspired by the educational principles of Maria Montessori. During a session and under the guidance of a certified leader, children listen to a parable, Bible story or learn about a part of the Mass or liturgical year, work in silence, ask questions, come together in prayer, and start to develop a relationship and understanding of Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.

To view additional catechetical resources, please visit the Diocese of Arlington’s website.

For your own faith formation, to become a fully-initiated Catholic, or to bring your marriage into the Church, consider attending our RCIA/OCIA and/or adult education programs.

Saints Charles Borromeo, Robert Bellarmine, and Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us.

The Objective of Catechism

We prefer to use the terminology Children’s Faith Formation, Religious Education or Catechesis in lieu of CCD. While CCD may be the more recognizable term, the concept of catechesis communicates more accurately our objective.

The purpose of our sessions has one clear objective: To know and love Jesus in a personal way. We are not communicating and teaching mere information or establishing a competing religious school or subject matter apart from other areas of one’s life. We are transforming lives by coming into contact with Jesus and learning more about Jesus so that it informs and guides everything else we do, accomplish and learn in life. What else is more important in life than our relationship with God?

Preparation for Sacraments

Baptized children are normally prepared to receive the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation (Confession) and Holy Communion during year 2. Preparation for these sacraments begins at home and in our programs before the start of year 2. Following guidelines from the Arlington Diocese, baptized students desiring First Penance and First Holy Communion attend years 1 and 2 of our children’s faith formation program. Kindergarten is recommended but not required. In a more formal and intentional way, preparation for the two sacraments begins in September of one’s 2nd year.  We prepare the children to go to Confession for the first time usually in February. Then, we have our First Holy Communion Masses in May. 

Preparation for Confirmation begins in year 7 for students desiring the Sacrament of Confirmation.  aptized children who have not attended a Catholic School or CCD program may be required to complete year 6 year prior to entrance into the year 7 class. More formal preparation for Confirmation is year 8 that includes a retreat, saint report, letter to the Bishop, and service activities in addition to classroom work.  Children are confirmed usually in the early Spring during their 8th grade year.

We require that children complete sacramental preparation by attending our parish school, our Catechism/CCD sessions, or participate in another approved program at home or with a different Catholic school.

If you have a child who has not been baptized, is 7 years old or older, has not received his or her First Confession/Holy Communion, or is older than 8th grade and has not been confirmed, please contact the Director of Religious Education to make a plan for his/her faith formation.

Become a Catechist and How to Volunteer

We have dedicated and enthusiastic adult volunteers who provide catechetical, logistical, promotional, and other types of support. The more volunteer participation we have, the stronger our program will be for parish families. Our goal is to offer systematic, high level of catechesis, and this can only be accomplished with your weekly assistance.

Adult volunteers will need to apply and complete a background check with the Diocesan Office of Child Protection and attend a four-hour Safe Environment/Virtus seminar. Youth volunteers are invited to assist the program. Please contact the Director of Religious Education to explore how you can assist the program. Thank you for serving the parish youth!

Inclement Weather Policy

Please see our Inclement Weather Policy in the Faith Formation Handbook for more information.

Generally, The Basilica of Saint Mary faith formation programs follow Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) policy for weekend events regarding inclement weather closings and Alexandria City Public School (ACPS) policy during weekday events, unless otherwise informed.