Parish School of Religion
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church welcomes registered families to participate in Family of Faith (PreK – 6th grade), First Holy Communion, Confirmation, and OCIA. Classes run from September through May.
Family of Faith
The vision for “A Family of Faith” is strong Catholic families in which children learn the joys of following Jesus Christ and the truths of their Faith through the witness of Christian life given by their parents.
The goals of the program are:
- to encourage and equip parents to fulfill their God-given duty and privilege of educating their children in the Catholic Faith.
- to support and nurture strong Catholic families who image the Blessed Trinity.
- to provide parents the opportunity for continued growth in the Faith.
- to build community and celebrate Catholic life together through common prayer, service to others, social activities, and liturgical celebrations.
How do I register for Family of Faith?
Family of Faith Formation Sundays
10:45 am – 11:45 am
Formation Sundays will be a time for learning about the Creed. All adult parishioners, including people without children in the home, are welcome to attend the adult meetings to hear the lectures and participate in group discussion. The lectures will be offered in the Luffey gym in English with Father Kevin and in the church in Spanish with volunteer speakers.
For the September meeting, children will be with the parents during the adult meeting. For the October – April meetings, children in grades PreK – 6th will go with their catechists during the adult session. Families should always meet in the Luffey first to check in. Catechists will walk with the elementary children from the Luffey to the designated classrooms in the St Thomas School Building and will return the children to the parents in the Luffey at the end of the hour. Parents meeting in the church will come to the Luffey for drop-off and pickup.
*Exception: All students in First Communion, SEEKERS, or Confirmation A or B will attend sacrament preparation classes during this hour instead of attending the community gatherings.
Family of Faith Community Gathering Sundays
10:45 am – 12:30 pm
Community gatherings are also for all parishioners, including people without children in the home. Children and youth will be with their parents for all the community gatherings.
*Exception: All students in First Communion, SEEKERS, or Confirmation A or B will attend sacrament preparation classes during this hour instead of attending the community gatherings
What about the other Sundays of the month?
There will be many things offered for everyone on the other Sundays of the month, Break Out Sundays. See the full Sunday schedule attached to see all the things offered during the 10:45 am Sunday hour. Breakout Sundays are intended to provide church activities for all and are designed to fit with the Family of Faith schedule.
Breakout Sundays Include:
| Children`s Liturgy of the Word Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary | Room 107, 106 |
| Family confessions | Church |
| Adult Education Small Group | Luffey Gym |
| High School Small Group | E. Donn Piatt Library |
| Men`s Small Group | Luffey St. Vincent de Paul Room |
| First Communion, 2nd grade | AV room, St. Thomas School Building |
| Confirmation A | Luffey Youth Room |
| Confirmation B | E. Donn Piatt Student Center Great Room |
Sacrament Preparation
It is traditional for children entering 2nd grade to prepare for First Holy Communion. In the Diocese of Shreveport, the guidelines state that youth entering 7th grade will start a two -year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. If your child falls outside the age recommendations, contact the Director of Religious Education for more information.
First Holy Communion
Children in 2nd grade will meet weekly September through May to prepare for First Holy Communion. The class will meet Sundays at 10:45 am – 11:45 am. This class is catechist-led with parent involvement requirements. If your child has already passed 2nd grade, please call the PSR office for more information about our SEEKERS class for older children who are seeking the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.
How do I register my 2nd grade child for First Holy Communion?
Register your 2nd grader here!
Confirmation
Youth entering 7th grade should begin a two -year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. The classes meet weekly September – May. Seventh grade and eighth grade classes are separate. These classes are catechist-led with parent involvement requirements.
How do I register for Confirmation?
My child is a 7th grader. He or she has not had any sacrament preparation for Confirmation.
Register your 7th grader here!
My child is an 8th grader. He or she is returning for the second year of sacrament preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Should I register my child for sacrament preparation if he or she is not baptized?
Children who have completed their 7th year and are not yet baptized will need a specialized plan for sacrament preparation. Before registering online, please call the PSR office to discuss requirements.
- My high school student has not started preparation for confirmation. Should I register him or her for the 7th grade or 8th grade classes?
Teenagers who need to be confirmed will attend the OCIA classes instead of the junior high-level classes. Before registering online, please call the PSR office to discuss requirements for OCIA.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults
The Rite (soon to be The Order) of Christian Initiation of Adults is a process for those interested in discovering the Catholic faith. The discussions take place on Thursday evenings. The initial stage goes into many of the teachings of the faith. Later, we delve deeper into our faith and the Holy Sacraments. If baptized adult Catholics are wishing to be confirmed, they are welcome to join this discussion group also. If any parishioner seeks to refresh knowledge of the faith, he or she is welcome to attend.
Meeting Times: Thursdays, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm (September – May)
Small Groups and Prayer Groups
Small groups and prayer groups will meet at various days and times during the week and have their own schedule. Most small groups meet year-round. Please contact the small group leaders listed in the bulletin for more information on how to join a small group.
- Adult Education
- Divine Mercy Chaplet
- High School
- Lectio Divina
- Mantle of Maria
- Men’s Study
Director of Religious Education
Melinda “Mindy” Bryan
318-525-4906
Office Location
Joe and Roger Luffey Catholic Life Center
813 Carey Avenue
Ruston, Louisiana 71270