Education

The Educational Ministry seeks to assist members of the Catholic Community with the need for the development of a strong and informed faith.

Faith Formation for Children

We offer two programs for our young community members.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

For children ages 3-13, the Catechesis of the Good Shepard is a religious education program offered on Sunday morning, 9:15-10:30AM, during school session. It is a Montessori-based learning environment where children are given both instruction and the opportunity to explore their own faith with many "hands-on" materials. It covers sacramental preparation for First Eucharist and First Reconciliation for those children old enough to receive the sacraments. For more information contact Chaplain Teresa Pleins.

Children's Liturgy of the Word

Children ages 3-8 are welcome to attend a Children's Liturgy of the Word during the Sunday Mass at 10:30AM. This group meets for the beginning of Mass at Tressider Union's Oak Room, then departs for a parent-led children's Liturgy of the Word. Everyone gathers back in time for the Eucharistic Prayer and Communion of the Mass. Parents of younger children are requested to attend with their children. For more information contact Chaplain Teresa Pleins.

The Bishop Pierre DuMaine Lectures

This quarterly lecture series, funded by the late Professor Kurt Reinhardt, honors the first Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of San Jose, The Most Reverend Pierre Dumaine, Ph.D. It was Bishop DuMaine who established the Catholic ministry at Stanford as a freestanding personal parish of the San Jose Diocese.

The lecture series will be announced at a later date

Preparation for Confirmation

Preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation for Stanford students, faculty, staff and registered Permanent Community members will begin on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. The process entails 16 90-minutes classes over the course of 20 weeks, from 7:30-9:00PM in the Common Room in the CIRCLE. Also included is a day of reflection. It will be highly recommended to meet individually with the instructor once or twice during these weeks. Confirmation will be celebrated in Sunday April 29, 2012 (the feast of St. Catherine of Siena) at Memorial Church. Materials will cost $40.

For more information contact Fr. Isaiah Molano, OP.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)

RCIA is the program used in the Roman Catholic Church to assist both those inquiring into the Catholic faith, and those wanting to join it. This journey is unique for each individual, but the process follows guidelines for RCIA suggested by the Church. RCIA is based loosely on the ancient practices of how the early Church brought members to itself through prayer, ritual, and personal sharing as the context for learning and faith.