Class Schedule & Language:
Classes are offered in English, Bilingual or Spanish.
Class times are scheduled during Sunday in the following hours:
8 am - 9:30 am (English and Bilingual)
10 am - 11:30 am (Spanish)
We may have classes during the week in the afternoon including. The number of class groups, schedules and days of classes will depend on the number of volunteer catechists available and language(s) of preference of the catechists.
Preparation:
COMPLETION of 2 consecutive years of formation is required to receive the desired sacrament
Age/School Grade:
First Communion: Your child must be at least in 1st grade at the time of registration.
Confirmation: Your child must be in 8th Grade and up or 14 years of age at the time of registration.
Unbaptized children ages 7 and up who are not baptized can be registered for the special RCIA program
Confirmation and/or Eucharist:
If you are a baptized Catholic (18 or older) and would like to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation/First Communion. Please present all required registration documents and register during registration dates.
Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist:
If you are unbaptized or a baptized Non-Catholic and are (18 or older) and would like to start initiation of sacraments . Please contact the religious education office.
Attendance:
In class: If your child arrives 15 minutes or more late to class, it will be counted as an absence. Only 3 absences are allowed. Those students who have more than 3 absences will not receive the annual accreditation. Likewise, if your child is preparing to receive a sacrament and misses more than 3 classes, it will be necessary to repeat Year 2 of preparation. Attendance is extremely important.
Absence = the student is not physically present in class
Sunday Mass You and your child must attend Mass on Sundays and Obligation Masses (Obligation Masses). It is a vital part of everyone's religious formation, regardless of age. It is essential that students participate in the liturgical life of the parish through weekly attendance at Mass. Each student will be given a copy of the Attendance at Monthly Mass. Which must be delivered to the office on the date indicated on the calendar.
If your child attended mass in Santa Barbara, they must approach the designated ushers and put a stamp on the card immediately upon leaving mass.
If your child did not attend mass in Santa Barbara, you are asked to fill out the report found in the last section of the Attendance at Mass
Community Hours:
Confirmation candidates are required to complete 20 hours of service prior to receiving sacrament. Hours must be completed mainly in parish / parishes in the dioceses. Example of completion below:Confirmation Candidates Year 1 of preparation : 10 Hours of Service
Confirmation Candidates Year 2 of preparation: 10 Hours of Service
*20 Hours of service*
Sacrament Sponsors:
Be able and intend to perform this role. His/her life is congruent with faith, that is, he/she goes to mass every Sunday and takes communion, and confesses frequently. The Sponsor's life is in accordance with the teachings of the church. That you can visit your godson/goddaughter. The candidate's father or mother cannot be his or her godparents.
First Communion : N/A
Confirmation: The sponsor must be chosen by the Candidate in accordance with the following requirements:
- Only one sponsor
- Being over 18 years
- If single, this person should NOT be living in a free union with a partner. In addition, you must have the sacraments of BAPTISM, CONFIRMATION and FIRST COMMUNION (you will be asked for proof of the 3 sacraments). If you are married, you must be married in the Catholic Church and you must bring a church marriage certificate.
Parent Classes:
Every Sunday while your child attends in-person classes you must attend parent classes being held in the parish hall. PLEASE DON'T MISS. In these meetings you will be given all the information and details of the celebration of the sacraments that your child will receive. We will also inform you of the deadline to submit all requirements.. Parents/candidates, be sure to submit ALL requirements before the indicated deadline; if they are not submitted, the candidate will have to receive their sacrament in another parish or wait until the following year to receive the sacrament(s). If you cannot attend the parenting course on Sunday, you can attend on Mondays or Thursdays from 7 pm - 9 pm. It is a requirement for parents to attend classes on either date. Only 3 absences are allowed.Godparents / Sponsors
First Communion:At least 16 years old.
Spiritually mature and able to fulfill the role.
A practicing Catholic who serves as a model of faith
Regularly attends Mass and lives according to Church teaching.
Cannot be the parent of the person being baptized or confirmed.
Must have received the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Communion.
If married only 1 godparent/sponsor
If married, must be married in the Church.
If married, only needing their marriage certificate ( sacrament )
We’re excited to welcome your family to the 2025–2026 Religious Education program!
To ensure your child is fully enrolled, all required documents and payment must be submitted at the time of registration.
Please note that incomplete registrations—missing forms or payment—will not secure a spot in the program, and your child will not be registered or considered part of the Religious Education program until all requirements are met.
If your child attended the program last year, they must still go through the full registration process again for the new year. Enrollment does not carry over automatically.
Thank you for helping us prepare for a great year of faith formation!