Elementary Religious Education
Grades 1 - 6
At Holy Trinity, we are excited to walk alongside your family as your child grows in faith, knowledge, and love of Christ. Our School of Religious Education (SRE) offers a rich, developmentally appropriate program for elementary-aged students that provides both Sacramental Preparation and Ongoing Community Formation. Whether your child is just beginning their journey or continuing their formation, we have a place for them!
Program Overview
First Reconciliation (Grades 1–2)
Children in 1st grade or 2nd grade if this is their first year) will participate in a dedicated First Reconciliation class using the Blessed curriculum by Dynamic Catholic.
This class is also open to Kindergarteners, though they will not receive the Sacrament until 1st grade.
First Communion (Grade 2 and older)
Children in 2nd grade or older who have already completed one year of formation will be enrolled in our Sacramental Preparation class for First Communion, also using the Blessed curriculum.
Grades 3–6: Community & Sacramental Formation
We offer Sacramental Formation and Community Formation classes, designed to meet each student where they are in their faith journey. Each age group- 3rd and 4th grade, and 5th and 6th grade, will have two classes; one dedicated to Sacramental Preparation, and the other to Community Formation.
- Sacramental Preparation – for students completing First Holy Communion after 2nd grade.
- Community Formation – for those continuing formation after receiving First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion, or entering their first year. First year students will be attending First Reconciliation at the end of the year.
The older student programs use Faith Fusion from Our Sunday Visitor, ensuring students receive fresh content each year. As students move up in our program, new resources will be introduced.
Class Structure & Calendar
- First Day of Class: September 14
Parents are asked to attend this first session with their child. - Session options:
- Sundays from 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM (English)
- Sundays from 11:30 AM- 12:45 AM (Español)
- Sundays from 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM (English)
First Reconciliation Celebrations
First Reconciliation will occur during the regular class times for each group.
- 1st & 2nd Grade: March 29
- 3rd & 4th Grade: April 12
- 5th & 6th Grade: April 19
First Communion Mass
- May 2 at 10:00 AM in Holy Trinity Church
No Class On:
- October 12
- November 23 & 30
- All of December (Holiday Break)
- January 18
- February 15
- March 15
- April 5
Retreats
This year, we are excited to offer retreats for both students and parents! These experiences will be held in separate locations at the same time from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the following Saturdays:
- October 18
- February 21
Sacramental Preparation
Children typically prepare to receive First Reconciliation in 1st grade and First Holy Communion in 2nd grade. To be eligible for First Communion, students must complete two consecutive years of religious education.
If your child is entering the program for the first time in 2nd grade or later, we will work with your family to ensure they are placed in the appropriate preparation track. Additional retreats and parent involvement opportunities are included in our sacramental years to help the whole family grow in faith.
To enroll in Sacramental Preparation Classes, the following criteria must be met:
- Child has been baptized Catholic.
- Child is in 2nd grade or older.
- Child has participated in at least one year of formation.
- Parents are registered parishioners at a Catholic parish. If not registered at Holy Trinity, written permission must be received from your home parish.
Not baptized Catholic? Please visit our FAQ section for information on how to begin that process.
Community & Enrichment
Beyond the classroom, we offer optional seasonal events, family prayer nights, and service opportunities to help children and families connect with others in the parish. Our goal is not just to prepare children for the sacraments, but to help them feel at home in the life of the Church.
Additional Activities
Throughout the year, we will offer fun and faith-filled opportunities for families to gather, pray, and grow in friendship.
Curriculum
Grades K–2
- Blessed First Reconciliation by Dynamic Catholic
Engaging and age-appropriate, this program introduces young children to God’s mercy, forgiveness, and the Sacrament of Confession in a joyful, simple way. Available in English and Spanish. - First Communion (2nd Grade+):
Blessed First Communion by Dynamic Catholic
A beautiful, child-friendly program centered around the Eucharist filled with stories, videos, and activities that children love. Available in English and Spanish.
Grades 3-4
- Faith Fusion (Grades 3–5) by Our Sunday Visitor
Used for both Sacramental Preparation and Community Formation by splitting the chapters between the classes. Flexible and rich in content, this program allows catechists to tailor lessons based on students’ needs.
Grades 5-6
- Faith Fusion (Junior High Edition)
This more advanced curriculum challenges older students and encourages deeper questions. - Edge Resources by LifeTeen
Introducing students to a taste of teen ministry with dynamic, faith-filled resources designed for middle schoolers to dive into hard topics and discover God’s grace and mercy in an age appropriate way.
This curriculum rotation ensures students always receive new, engaging content regardless of when they begin their journey with SRE.
Ready to begin? We can’t wait to welcome you and your family into our School of Religious Education community.
Format
- 1st-2nd Grade students who are in their first year of Faith Formation will begin Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation
- 2nd Grade students who are in their second year of Faith Formation will be in Sacramental Preparation for First Holy Communion
- 3rd-6th grade students who are in their first year of Faith Formation, and students who are in 3rd grade or older who have completed their First Communion Sacrament will join together in our Community Formation class which is structured like a long term Bible Study to introduce students to classic Bible stories, Saints, and Church history.
- 3rd-6th Grade students who are in their second year of Faith Formation will participate in Sacramental Preparation classes to receive First Holy Communion.
Regardless of the class the student is enrolled in there will be a period in March and April that will focus on Reconciliation in an age appropriate format. Students who have not been to Reconciliation before will be expected to go at the end of this focus period, along with students preparing for First Holy Communion. Opportunities to do so will be provided during regular class times throughout April- Please see the calendar above for more details.
Important Things You Should Know
What if my child cannot attend every class?
For Sacramental Preparation classes students can miss up to 5 classes in the year. If they miss more than 5 classes there will be makeup days available.
Can my child have a sponsor or Godparent for First Communion?
While we welcome and encourage students’ Godparents to be active participants in their Sacramental life they are not included in the First Communion ceremony. They are, however, welcome to attend the Mass to witness the First Holy Communion
What is the dress code for First Communion?
This is a sacred and special occasion, and we ask all students to dress in Sunday Best attire following these guidelines:
For Boys:
- White, button-down shirt (clean and pressed)
- Dress pants (preferably khaki)
- Dress shoes
- Ties, suit jackets, and/or sports coats are optional
- No jeans – this is a sacred occasion; formal attire is required
For Girls:
- Modest white dress or outfit with sleeves
- Dress must be at least knee-length
- Flats or low-heeled dress shoes
- No high heels, gloves, or jeans – formal attire is required
What if we have to miss a retreat?
First Communion Parents are not required to attend the retreats for the parents however students must attend at least one retreat dedicated to First Holy Communion. If the dates at Holy Trinity cannot be attended we encourage you to contact other churches in the region to request your student’s participation. We will not be offering makeup retreats.
What if my student is in Kindergarten?
We will not be hosting classes for students in Pre-K or Kindergarten, the youngest students will be those who are enrolled in 1st grade at the start of the year.
My student has learning differences, can you accommodate them?
In a general answer yes! We do our best to make the Sacraments as accessible as possible. Please let us know during registration in the section on Medical Information. If you have concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out by email to [email protected] or call the office at 214-526-8555.
Who will be teaching my child?
A Catechist is a lay-person who has been Confirmed Catholic and feels called to pass on their faith to the next generation. These teachers are incredible volunteers who are active in the Sacramental Life of the Church, and possess a joy and excitement for their faith. We offer considerable training opportunities and resources to support our Catechists in developing each student’s relationship with God.
What if my child was baptized Catholic but did not receive First Communion before 7th grade?
During their first year of formation in the Teen Program they will join the other students on May 3rd for First Holy Communion. They will then continue their Sacramental preparation to be Confirmed the following year.
How can I volunteer to be part of this program?
Please check out our Catechist Volunteer Page!
My student is in Middle School or High School but has not received First Communion. How do we register?
If your student is in 6th grade please enroll them in the 5-6th Grade class. If your student is in 7th-12th Grade please register for the Teen Classes. We will work with your family to get your student on track and make sure they are in the correct classes to meet their needs!
Does Holy Trinity Provide the resources or are parents/guardians expected to purchase them?
We provide all of the necessary textbook materials for the classes in addition to art supplies, pencils and notebooks. We do not provide Bibles to our Elementary Classes. We have classroom sets that are expected to stay in the classroom. If you wish to provide a personal Bible for your student’s use you are welcome to, and we will have opportunities for it to be Blessed by a priest at the beginning and end of the year. For 1st-4th Grade we will be using the Break Through Bible which features larger text and bright colors for easy use. For our 5th and 6th grade classes we will be using the Live Bible from Dynamic Catholic which presents the content in an easy to read but more mature format with relevant keypoints and testimonies throughout. For our Spanish classes 1st-4th grade will be using La Biblia católica para niños and our 5th-6th grade will be using La Biblia Latino America