The mission of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Family is to proclaim the greatness of the Lord and accompany our neighbors to the heart of Jesus.
The Children’s Faith Formation Program supports this mission by building the Domestic Church of our parish community, and accompanying families on a journey to Jesus’s heart through the Sacraments of Initiation and Healing, through catechesis, and through fellowship.
Registration is handled exclusively online, via “Coursestorm.” Click here to reach Coursestorm. Registration for the upcoming Faith Formation year opens August 1 and closes prior to orientation (August 30).
>>NOTE: Registration For Classes is Closed for the 2023/2024 Year. Registration for 2024/2025 will open August 1, 2024.
The Children’s Faith Formation program operates on the academic calendar. Classes begin in the fall and conclude in the spring. Classes are in-person, and occur on Wednesday evenings, one session from 4:30-5:45, one session from 6:30-7:45 (there is an online option for Sacramental Preparation as well).
Sacramental Preparation in a two year process, and typically occurs for children in the 2nd and 3rd grades (although students up to 5th grade can enroll in Sacramental Preparation).
For children who are not preparing for sacraments (usually preschool, kindergarten, 1st, 4th and 5th grades), catechism classes are offered that provide age-appropriate lessons on the faith, God, the Sacraments, and more.
Classes are taught by volunteers. Volunteers meet all Safe Environment Requirements of the Archdiocese of Denver. Volunteers receive a $75-per-child discount to honor their service. Class offerings are commensurate with volunteer manpower. If you are interested in volunteering, email Kit.
In May of 2015, Archbishop Samuel Aquila released a Pastoral Letter calling for the restoration of “the Sacraments of Initiation to their original order, that is, Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist” (this is also referred to as “The Restored Order”).
All churches in the Archdiocese of Denver restored the order of the Sacraments of Initiation to their original order by Archbishop Aquila’s deadline of 2020. As a result, Immaculate Heart of Mary’s Children’s Faith Formation Program is a two-year process, and children receive Confirmation and First Communion at the same Mass at the end of their second year of preparation.
Sacramental Preparation starts for children in the 2nd grade. Over the course of two years, children prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and complete the Sacraments of Initiation (Confirmation and Communion). The first year is called “Year One: Reconciliation and Salvation History.” Children who meet program requirements for their first year are admitted into a second year, called “Year Two: Confirmation and First Communion.”
Children who are over age 7 and who are not yet baptized join the program as “RCIC” (Rite of Christian Initiation for Children) Catechumens. RCIC Catechumens prepare for an additional sacrament over the two years of their study: Baptism. If your child is under seven years of age, contact our Family Life Director Susan Anderson for information about the Sacrament of Baptism.
If your child is transferring to our program from another church and has already prepared for, and received, Reconciliation, please contact Kit for transfer requirements (some students may need to take an additional online course for Salvation History to transfer into our program).
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Children’s Faith Formation Program has two options for Sacramental Preparation:
2023/2024 Classes will begin September 13 and conclude May 22. Please click here for an updated calendar for the program.
Starting in 2023, every First Wednesday, instead of Faith Formation Classes, Confession and Mass are offered.
Also starting in 2023, Immaculate Heart of Mary will offer adult formation opportunities to augment the children’s program (more information coming soon).
Families of children enrolled in the Sacramental Preparation program are expected to meet program requirements. In 2023/2024, some of these are changed from previous program requirements:
Sprouts Preschool |
Sprouts. Our Preschool Program for 3-5 year olds, Sprouts helps to introduce children to God and the bible stories. Children must be able to use the restroom independently. Sprouts classes are $50 per student.
Kindergarten: Our Kindergarteners continue to learn about God, Jesus, and some basics of our Catholic Faith (like creation, the Holy Family, and the Eucharist). Kindergarten classes are $50 per student.
1st Grade: Our First Graders continue to learn more about stories from the bible and Catholic principals. First Grade classes are $50 per student.
Sacramental Preparation |
Year One: Reconciliation and Salvation History: For children starting in 2nd Grade, our Sacramental Preparation program covers two years. In the first year, students learn about Salvation History and prepare for, and receive, First Reconciliation. Year One families must meet program requirements (listed above). Year One classes are $125 per student.
Year Two: Confirmation and First Communion: In the second year, students learn about and prepare to receive Confirmation and First Communion (which takes place at the same Mass in the spring). Year Two families must meet program requirements (listed above), and children must complete “Year One” to continue into this year. Year Two students select a Saint Name, a Confirmation Sponsor. Year Two classes are $125 per student.
Confirmed 4th and 5th Graders |
Confirmed 4th & 5th Graders: For fully-initiated (Baptized, Confirmed and have received First Communion) 4th and 5th Grade Students, we help to deepen their faith through learning and community projects. Confirmed 4th and 5th Grade classes are $50 per student.