Family Religious Education

As a faith community rooted in the teachings and saving actions of Jesus Christ, we are committed to participating with and assisting families in their faith journey. To this end, we offer a comprehensive program of Sunday morning religious education classes for children ages three through grade 8 including sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. We also offer special sessions, resources, and faith formation programs throughout the year, designed to include parent participation to help strengthen the faith life of the whole family.

Through our program, we hope that families will come to a fuller and richer experience of the presence of God in their lives and grow in their mission of being Christ's disciples in our world.

Early Childhood  (Ages 3-5)

The primary goals and objectives of the Early Childhood Program at St. Monica are to lead children to a loving, personal relationship with God. All classes are taught by volunteers who are certified through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Sessions meet weekly during the Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass from October to May. The program is designed to support parents in educating their children about the Catholic faith through a variety of age-appropriate activities which will:

1. Help children create an awareness of God,
2. Provide an atmosphere of belonging to a faith community,
3. Let them know that God loves, and
4. Help parents deepen their faith commitment through this experience.

Please note, the Kindergarten students participate in the Archdiocesan Teaching Touching Safety program. Parents will be notified two months in advance of this special class.

Grades 1-8

Sessions meet weekly from 9:15 to 11:00 a.m. on Sundays from September to May. All catechists are certified through the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Through the stages of the elementary and junior high years, we offer a formation process that grows along with the children. We begin with the basics of understanding of who God is followed by preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist  and learning the specifics of what we believe as a Catholic community. In grades 5-6 the knowledge of Scripture and great Bible figures become a focus which then leads to a better understanding of developing morals and values as a young teenager. In the end, they will leave us knowing Jesus and able to take responsibility for their faith.

Sacrament Preparation

This is a family-based program where parents are required to attend parent sessions throughout the year while their children are preparing. Students in the 2nd grade prepare for the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation as part of their regular religious education classes. We also provide a special sacrament preparation program for children in grades 3 and above who are new to St. Monica and have not yet received the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation. 

For information about our Teen Confirmation program, go to www.stmonica.net/teenconfirmation.