Our classes are held for children in grades 1 through 12. They must attend the program for two (2) consecutive years to be eligible to celebrate the specific sacrament during his/her 2nd year in the program. All of our Religious Education instructors have taken “Protecting All God’s Children,” had background checks, and many are certified catechists or are working toward that status.
Our Youth Group is the focal point of youth ministry. The group has been in existence for 29 years with the same youth minister. The group is self-governing and encompasses 6th through 12th graders. This is a service-based Youth Group. Some of the projects are big, such as their involvement and commitment to the Norwayne Community Garden project, which they have been a part of since the onset in 2010. Some of their projects are smaller, like baking cookies for American House residents in Westland and Maple Manor Rehabilitation Center in Wayne, writing Christmas cards to the troops overseas, setting up and taking down tables for various functions in the parish hall, and parish grounds clean-up.
The spiritual education and growth of the youth are enhanced by acting the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday as spiritual service to the parish, as well as acting out the Stations at American House for their residents, and researching and writing a Tenebrae Service held in the evening on Good Friday for the past 25 years. They have also attended two World Youth Days, 2002 Toronto, Canada and 2005 Koln, Germany. The education of our youth from the younger children to the young adults is done, not just in the classroom, but by joining and working with both the Christian Service and Worship commissions and offering many unique opportunities for spiritual and educational growth.