Religious Education

Following the call to bring people to a closer relationship with Jesus, Faith Formation promotes, nurtures, and offers life-long formation for those ministering to children and adults by providing courses on faith formation and catechetical topics, catechetical certification through the Diocese of Palm Beach Florida, and retreats in both English and Spanish.

Please note: Virtus: “Protecting God’s Children” will be provided for all children and teens during the course of the year. Catechist at St. Juliana Church have all been certified by the Diocese of Palm Beach. They are all background checked and Virtus Trained.

Sacramental Preparation through the Office of Faith Formation:

Baptism Preparation (Catechetical age)
First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
First Eucharist information
Confirmation Preparation
RCIA with Marriage Communication
RCIA with Adaptation for Children, and Teens
RCIA/OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults

Call The Office For Further Details

Preschool-1st Grade

PreK thru Grade 1st – This program helps and guides children to begin building blocks in forming a deeper connection in their faith life. In each class, the children gather for prayer, song, and an activity that taps into something they already know or have experienced and introduces the Sunday Gospel theme. They proclaim the Gospel together and then learn the related Church teaching and doctrine. Games, discussion questions, and activities reinforce the Scripture, doctrine, and life application. They are building on their own personal faith life with Christ. (Materials used: Praying with your Five Fingers by Paraclete Publishers, Our Father Activity Sheet by LTP, The Sunday Gospels by Pflaum Publishers)

2nd and 3rd Grade Sacramental Preparation (First Communion 1 and First Communion II)

This is a process for children preparing to receive their First Reconciliation and First Communion. The children’s attendance at class provides, Prayer Center, and hands-on projects regarding Reconciliation and the Eucharist which are in the heart of these sessions. First Holy Communion is received as a group. Parents are encouraged to take a monthly class regarding the various Sacraments to better understand the full deep meaning of engaging in the sacramental life of the child, and also to help build a stronger faith life at home with their children and families. During the season of Advent and Lent, the opening prayer should have The ACT OF CONTRITION. Children entering the second grade will complete a 2 year term 2nd grade focusing on the Sacrament of Reconciliation and 3rd Grade on the Gospels and Eucharist, and the same follows for children who enter at a later time. First Communion will be received once the 2 year first Communion preparation is completed. (Materials that are used for this preparation are the following: From Mass to Mission by Joyce Donahue; Understanding the Mass and Its Significance for Our Christian Life for Children, Leader’s Guide provides parish catechists with the tools for teaching children about the Mass. The Sunday Gospels by Pflaum Publishers. They proclaim the Gospel together and then learn the related Church teaching and doctrine. Together in Jesus First Reconciliation and First Communion Packet).

What is the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday like?

The Easter Vigil takes place on Holy Saturday, the evening before Easter Sunday. This is the night that “shall be as bright as day” as proclaimed by the Exsultet, an ancient church hymn as we joyfully anticipate Christ’s Resurrection The Holy Saturday Liturgy begins with the Service of Light, which includes the blessing of the new fire and the Paschal candle which symbolizes Jesus, the Light of the World. The second part consists of the Liturgy of the Word with a series of Scripture readings. After the Liturgy of the Word, the Catechumens are presented to the parish community, who pray for them with the Litany of the Saints. Next, the priest blesses the water, placing the Easter or Paschal candle into the baptismal water. Those seeking Baptism then renounce sin and profess their faith after which they are baptized with the priest pronouncing the words, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

After the Baptism the newly baptized are dressed in white garments and presented with a candle lighted from the Paschal Candle. They are then Confirmed by the priest or bishop who lays hands on their heads, and invokes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He then anoints them with the oil called Sacred Chrism. The Mass continues with the newly baptized participating in the general intercessions and in bringing gifts to the altar. At Communion, the newly baptized receive the Eucharist, Christ’s Body and Blood, for the first time.

What does the white robe symbolize?

The newly baptized are dressed in a white garment after baptism to symbolize that they are washed clean of sin and that they are called to continue to walk in this newness of life.

What does the candle symbolize?

A small candle is lit from the Easter candle and given to the newly baptized as a reminder to them always to walk as children of the Light and to be the light of Christ to the world.

What does the Sacred Chrism symbolize?

The Sacred Chrism, or oil, is a sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit being given to the newly baptized. It is also a sign of the close link between the mission of Jesus and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, who comes to the recipient with the Father in Baptism.

4th and 5th Grade: Ongoing Formation/Building Blocks

This is very essential as the children continue to build their faith life through the sacraments already received. (Materials that are used for this process: Understanding the Mass and its significance for From Mass to Mission by Joyce Donahue; Understanding the Mass and Its Significance for Our Christian Life for Children, Leader’s Guide provides parish catechists with the tools for teaching children about the Mass. The Sunday Gospels by Pflaum Publishers. They proclaim the Gospel together and then learn the related Church teaching and doctrine.) (Catechists also receive the following materials: Celebrating the Lectionary based on the grade level with based resources; Liturgical Calendar; All students receive 28 lessons of the Pflaum material. Teaching Guides for catechists; and added material).

Sixth Grade Curriculum

Pre-Confirmation Preparation/ Every class begins with an opening prayer which is based on the following weeks Gospel: catechists are required to build an altar based on the Gospel, Liturgical Season, Saint and/or the Gospel relating it to concerns and issues that are tangible with what is occurring in society, community, or the world. (The weeklies Pflaum guide them to build a lesson plan) children will interact in small group sessions. During the season of Advent and Lent, the opening prayer should include The ACT OF CONTRITION. This will allow students to be familiarized with the prayer during their Reconciliation either at the retreat, or at a Reconciliation Service. The children will be building community amongst themselves and have group activities in small groups.

Seventh Grade Curriculum

Pre Confirmation Preparation/Every Every class begins with an opening prayer which is based on the following weeks Gospel: (Follow the above example) catechists are required to build an altar based on the Gospel, Liturgical Season with the saint of the day or week relating it specifically with the Saints for discussion in class and how they relate to our times or in their lives. (The weeklies Pflaum will guide them along with creativity to build a lesson plan. Children will interact in small group sessions and discuss on how the Saint relates to an event, situation, life experience or etc… a saint they have witnessed or experienced. The ACT OF CONTRITION should be prayed in the opening prayer during Advent and Lent. This will allow students to be familiarized with it during their Reconciliation either at the retreat, or at a Reconciliation Service. Retreat (Easter for Youth, through the Youth Group) is mandatory for 7th, 8th, and High School 1st Year Preparation.

Eight Grade and above (1st Year Confirmation)

Every class begins with an opening prayer which is based on the following weeks Gospel: catechists are required to build an altar based on the Gospel, Liturgical Season, Saints, and from Mass to Mission. Have articles describing this part….. They will be learning the various parts of Mass and all which it entails. Liturgy is the heart of our prayer life and how we pray as a community, and they should be acquainted of its meaning and why and how we pray in various forms especially the guided steps of Mass should be very essential during this time: They will also be engaging in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how to use these gifts wisely. (Guided material Mass to Mission for teens, and a Didache Series on Confirmation, They will also be studying a complete preparation course on the Sacrament of Confirmation: Chapter 1 through Chapter 6: Teens will be engaging in conversation in group settings and speak on how they are understanding the Mass and its parts. The ACT OF CONTRITION is part of the opening prayer during the season of Advent and Lent. This will allow students to be familiarized with it during their Reconciliation on or before the retreat or at a Reconciliation Service within the Parish. Retreat is mandatory for 7th, 8th, and High School. They are also required to serve in the community a total of 10 service hours.

Ninth Grade and above (2nd Year Confirmation)

Every class begins with an opening prayer which is based on the following weeks Gospel: catechists are required to build an altar based on the Gospel, Liturgical Season, Saints, and the Beatitudes: (Guided material Mass to Mission, Weeklies They will also be studying a complete preparation course on the Sacrament of Confirmation: Chapter 7 through Chapter 12) Teens will be engaging in conversation in a group setting discussing the meaning of the Beatitudes and how it reflects in their everyday life. ALL 2nd YEAR CONFIMATION Students must have a one paragraph well written or typed letter to Bishop explaining why they want to be confirmed? What is the meaning of Confirmation to them? Why they chose their Saint name and what examples resonated with them? The ACT OF CONTRITION will be prayed during the opening prayer during the season of Advent and Lent. This will allow students to be familiarized with it during their Reconciliation either at the retreat, or at a Reconciliation Service within the Parish. Confirmation Retreat is mandatory for all Confirmation II students. Service Hours teens in 2nd year Confirmation II: a total of 20 per year: 10 hours are community service, and the hours are divided as follows: 10 hours are divided into Liturgical and volunteer service in the church: examples in liturgy (ushers, servers, choir, lectors, other Church activities.

Reconciliation and First Eucharist

A child must be at least in the second grade to prepare for their 1st Reconciliation. The child must be baptized (Note: This may or may not have occurred in The Roman Catholic Church).

First Reconciliation precedes First Eucharist (Communion). Typically, a child receives their First Reconciliation and Eucharist in 3rd Grade; however, we encourage you to wait until your child is ready. It is never too late for your child to receive their Sacraments. Once it is determined that a child is ready to receive their Sacraments, they begin the formal Sacramental Preparation Process.

Reconciliation preparation is the first formal sacramental preparation experience for young children. It is crucial that children have a sense of belonging to a church community that is warm and welcoming before beginning this preparation. In order to understand the concept of being separated from the love (of self, others, and God), children must know what it is to be connected to a nurturing community.

First Eucharist marks an important milestone in a child’s life: their first opportunity to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Children entering First Reconciliation and First Eucharist preparation must have 2 years of formal faith formation church experience. Formal Faith Formation experience is defined as participation in the Teaching Masses, Weeklies, and Sunday Worship with the Family. Our Sacramental Preparation program is designed as a faith journey for kids and their parents. Candidates prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent followed by First Eucharist First Eucharist is a parish celebration and takes place during the Easter season.

Order of Christian Initiation with adaptation for Children and Teens

Children of catechetical age and adults will be brought to the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist through the development, promotion, and implementation of the initiation process presented in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults. This liturgical rite of the church is the official norm to be followed in the initiation of adults and children who have reached catechetical age. When the sacraments of initiation are celebrated for children who have reached catechetical age, (7years old through 17 years old) it is assumed that they will also celebrate all the rites belonging to the catechumenate. The Code of Canon Law states, “The provisions of the canons on adult baptism apply to all those who, being no longer infants, have reached the use of reason.” Thus, children from approximately the age of seven years to around 17 years are to be considered of “catechetical age” (Canon 852). Children, like adults, travel a journey of faith based on their spiritual progress. Various rites mark their growth in faith and culminate with the celebration of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist. In general, children follow the same path towards initiation as adults. There is one initiation process for both adults and children. Please contact the Office of Faith Formation for more information: 561-833-1278

Quinceañera

The Quinceañera should not be an excuse to have a party. It is a time of thanksgiving for life, family, community, and our parish faith life. Click here for the Guidelines for the Quinceañera Celebration St. Juliana Catholic Church Click aquí para leer la Guía para la Celebración de las Quinceañeras de St. Juliana Catholic Church

Faith Formation Calendars:

2022-2023 Confirmation Calendar (both languages/ambos idiomas)