Continuing Religious Education (CRE)

Special Announcements:
Nov 24/25/26 - No CRE Classes - Happy Thanksgiving!
Parent Update November
Christmas Food Donations list (items due by Dec 10)
Christmas Eve Children’s Play details and registration (register by Dec 13)

Important CRE Dates
Nov 24/25/26 NO CRE Classes
Nov 26 The Chosen Season 2, Episode 3, 7:00pm Social Hall
Dec 01/02/03 CRE Classes week #10 (Reconciliation gr 3 thru 8)
Dec 08/09/10 CRE Classes week #11
Dec 13 deadline to register for Christmas Eve Children’s Play
Dec 16 mandatory rehearsal for Christmas Eve Children’s Play
(must be registered to attend rehearsal)
Dec 15/16/17 CRE Classes week #12
Dec 22/23/24 NO CRE Classes
Dec 29/30/31 NO CRE Classes
Jan 05/06/07 CRE Classes week #13
Jan 11 9:30am 2nd grade Family retreat
Jan 12/13/14 CRE Classes week #14
Jan 19/20/21 NO CRE Classes
Jan 21 The Chosen Season 2, Episode 4, 7:00pm Social Hall
Jan 25 8th gr Confirmation Retreat, 9:00am-1:00pm, in church
Jan 26/27/28 CRE Classes week #15
Feb 02/03/04 CRE Classes week #16
Feb 06 Confirmation Mass 7:00pm
Feb 09/10/11 CRE Classes week #17

Download Forms & Parent Updates here
November Parent Update
Celebrate Halloween, All Saints, All Souls

CRE 2024-2025 Registration Form
Extra Medical Form if needed

Looking for a children’s Missal?
Here are some suggestions

Level I Atrium for Ages 3 to 6 and Special Needs
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is religious education with a Montessori approach to nurture a relationship with Jesus and love for His Church. Children experience the Gospel through sensory rich materials related to Scripture and Liturgy. Classes meet in our Atrium, a sacred space designed for prayer and listening to God’s Word.

CGS Classes follow the CRE calendar
  September thru April. 
Class times/sessions are
  Sundays 10:00, Mondays 6:30 (full), or Tuesdays, 6:30.
 Registration required.

Sacrament Preparation
for Children:

Preparation for First Reconciliation occurs during second grade for students who have been baptized in the Catholic Church and have completed the first year of Religious Education. A Mini-Retreat (for candidates and their parents) will be held in October to begin preparation for the sacrament.
Mini-Retreat for Child & Parent: October 5, 2024
First Reconciliation: April 3, 2025 6:00pm

Preparation for First Eucharist also occurs during second grade for students who have been baptized in the Catholic Church and have completed the first year of Religious Education. A Mini-Retreat (for candidates and their parents) begins the lessons for the second semester.  The solemn masses for First Eucharist will be celebrated in late April or early May, usually on a Saturday morning. Specific information will be provided at the Mini-Retreat.

Enrollment Prayer: 
Sunday, October 27, 2024  12:00Noon Mass
candidates wear ribbon/button to Sunday Masses please pray for them

Mini-Retreat for Child & Parent:
January 11, 2025
Banner Instructions with pattern samples here

Rehearsal: April 30, 2025    5:30pm & 7:00pm

First Eucharist Masses:
May 3, 2025 10:00am & 12:00 Noon
(NOTE: your child’s Mass time will be announced in August.)

Older First Reconciliation and First Eucharist
Additional classes are offered for older students (grade 3 and above) who are baptized in the Catholic Church and have completed one year of formal religious education. Parents and Godparents are welcome and encouraged to attend with their child. Please contact the CRE office for more information.

Confirmation - 8th Grade:
Preparation for Confirmation includes 7th & 8th grade religious education for students who have been baptized in the Catholic Church at a younger age. Opportunities for service (as an individual, with class, and with Sponsor) are provided.

Confirmation Dedication:
(both 7th & 8th graders attend Dedication)
October 13, 2024 at 12:00Noon Mass
8th grade candidates sign Commitment Form in class

Retreat/Rehearsal Candidates & Sponsors: 
(for 8th graders 2024-2025)
Saturday, January 25, 2025, 9:00am-1:00pm

Confirmation Mass for 8th Grade Candidates
Thursday, February 6, 2025 7:00pm
(sponsors, families, and guests attend mass)

Confirmation for Adults - Summer 2025
Baptized Catholic adults seeking Confirmation are invited to a summer class (comprised of 6 sessions). Dates TBA.
Sponsors are encouraged to attend with their candidates. 
To register, please contact our Director, Lisa Rajnicek CRE@stlawrenceparish.com

Youth Ministry
Youth Groups, Mission Trips, and Service Opportunities are offered throughout the year for our young adults, junior high students, and senior high school students to live and grow as joyful disciples.

Adult Faith Formation
Explore opportunities to continue growing in faith and understanding of Jesus, Sacred Scripture, and the teachings of the Church.

Archdiocese of Detroit Religion Curriculum
Explore our goals and resources for Discipleship Formation in our Parishes and Schools.

For those seeking to join the Catholic Church

OCIA (RCIA) for Adults 
Order (Rite) of Christian Initiation:
We welcome all adults seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and His Holy Church in the Sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Confirmation.  Our time together in prayer, at Mass, and in classes will be a gradual process of reflection and discovery of the Paschal Mystery.  The Parish family of St. Lawrence supports all candidates with prayer, fellowship and service.

Summer Inquiry Sessions - twice a month
Tuesdays, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Sept 10 & 24
view schedule here

Classes facilitated by Fr. Alex and Mrs. Lisa Rajnicek.  Please contact Lisa Rajnicek, our Director, to begin!  CRE@stlawrenceparish.com 

OCIA (RCIA) for Children 
Order (Rite) of Christian Initiation:
Students in third grade or older who are interested in preparing for Sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation and First Eucharist are invited to attend RCIA classes for Children. Parents and Sponsors also attend
the classes and Masses together to prepare for the Sacraments of Initiation, usually celebrated during the Easter Vigil.

Weekly classes held September-April.
Please contact Lisa Rajnicek, our Director, to begin! 
CRE@stlawrenceparish.com

Special Needs Religious Education All Belong!
Children of all abilities are welcome! Feel free to contact our Director, Lisa Rajnicek, to share your child’s abilities so we can best meet your needs. We are blessed with caring, experienced catechists who can provide small group or individual instruction.

We need more catechists for our Special Needs learners. Do you have a few hours a week to learn more about this rewarding ministry?

Start your journey with a short online course from the Archdiocese of Detroit - All Belong: Inclusion in Ministry. This video course aims to inspire the church community across the AOD to embrace and empower persons with disabilities to realize their full potential to know, love and serve the Lord, as well as achieve full membership and belonging in our faith community.
https://learn.egwdetroit.org/courses/all-belong-inclusion-in-ministry

Safe Environment Requirements   
All parish & school adult volunteers must complete the safe environment training session, Protecting God’s Children. High School age volunteers must complete a session called Healthy Relationships for Teens.
For first time volunteers, go to Virtus.org to register for a training session. You will receive a certificate a few days after completion, which you must provide to your local supervisor.
Volunteers who took the Protecting God’s Children class prior to January, 2020 must complete the recertification module online with your Virtus account.
Contact your local Virtus admin, Lisa Rajnicek in the CRE Office, for assistance to access your Virtus account if you are not able to log in. Do not create a duplicate account. Anyone who completed the initial Protecting God’s Children training has a Virtus account, whether or not you have been using it.

Prayers for peace and health to all our families,
Lisa Rajnicek, M.Ed., MAPS
Director of Discipleship Formation - North Macomb #1 Family of Parishes
Director of Continuing Religious Education - St. Lawrence Parish
44633 Utica Road, Utica MI 48317
(586) 731-5072 ext. 245
CRE@stlawrenceparish.com