Children's Faith Formation for 2024-2025

We offer weekday session for children in Grades First through Fifth not attending a Catholic school. Sessions for children in Year 1 and Year 2 (First Communion preparation process) are offered on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays. In addition to the weekday sessions, we gather monthly for Sunday family sessions. Post Communion sessions for children in Grades Three to Five are offered on Mondays. We begin the second week of October - the week of OCTOBER 7, 2024.

FAMILY SESSIONS for CHILDREN PREPARING FOR FIRST COMMUNION: First Communion preparation for children in Year 1 and Year 2 requires parent attendance of our Family of Faith sessions once a month from October through April. Family of Faith sessions are held on Sunday after the 9:00 am Mass. Our first session will be OCTOBER 27, 2024.

ZOOM OPTION has been discontinued: While our experience during the pandemic showed that virtual learning held benefits for certain children and their learning styles along with flexibility it offered for some family schedules,  we affirm that gathering in community in-person is important to sharing and growing in our Catholic faith. 

Parent Support & Enrichment: In support of our parents, we offer small group faith enrichment and prayer groups for our parents. We also offer occasional Parent Education Sessions to help support and guide our parents in their roles as the primary educators of their children. We affirm that parents are the first and most important witnesses of the faith and builders of a child’s faith. We are here to partner with them.

Family Formation at Home: We also affirm that our Catholic faith is nurtured most deeply in the home and we invite our families to supplement your child's faith formation at St. Lawrence Martyr with at home family faith sharing activities and assignments.  

Detailed calendars may be found under the CALENDAR tab. 

First Holy Communion for Children

Our faith formation sessions for children include the two-year preparation required by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. This preparation usually begins in a child's first grade year but is open to any baptized child in first to fourth Grade. Reception of the sacraments occur in the spring of the second year. (If your child is in middle school, contact Susan Mills at 310-316-4460 to discuss your situation.)

WEEKDAY SESSIONS for CHILDREN: Sessions for children in Year 1 and Year 2 (includes First Communion preparation) are offered on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays afternoons and begin the week of October 7, 2024.

FAMILIES of FAITH SUNDAY SESSIONS: First Communion preparation for children in Year 1 and Year 2 requires parent attendance of our Family of Faith sessions once a month from October through April. Family of Faith sessions are held on one Sunday each month after the 9:00 am Mass (see Family Sessions tab for dates). Our first session will be 10/27/2024.

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION RETREATS: Children receiving their sacraments in 2025 must attend a First Reconciliation Retreat in March 2025 and a First Holy Communion retreat in April 2025. At least one parent is required to attend with child.

FIRST COMMUNIONS for 2025: First Holy Communions will be in May 2025 at our regularly scheduled Sunday liturgies. (Please see the Year 2 calendar for dates of possible First Communion Masses.) More detailed information about selecting your child's First Communion Mass will be sent to parents of children enrolled in Year 2.

Registration for First Communion is now CLOSED.

Post Communion Grades 3-5

Required Registration Items:

• Completed Registration Form
• Baptismal Certificate (if not baptized at St. Lawrence Martyr or previously submitted)
• Signed Parent/Guardian Noncommercial Release for Minor
• Signed Empowering God’s Children Acknowledgement Form
• Signed Emergency Form
• Payment of Registration Fee

Registration Fee for 2024-2025*

First Communion Year 1 & 2: $175
Post-Communion - Grades 3, 4, 5: $125

Family Discount:

2 children – $25 total discount
3 children – $50 total discount
4 children - $75 total discount

Fee includes all child sessions, curriculum material, supplies and family sessions.

* There is an additional $50 family fee for non-parishioners.

Click below for 2024-2025 Calendars

First Communion: Year 1
Year 1: Tuesdays  - 4:00 pm
Year 1: Wednesdays 4:30 pm

First Communion: Year 2
Year 2: Tuesdays - 4:00 pm
Year 2: Wednesdays 4:30pm

Post Communion: Grades 3 to 5
 Grades 3-5: Monday 4:00pm

FAMILIES of FAITH SUNDAY SESSIONS

First Communion preparation for children in Year 1 and Year 2 requires parent attendance of our Families of Faith sessions once a month from October through April. Family of Faith sessions are held on one Sunday each month after the 9:00 am Mass. Our first session will be OCTOBER 27, 2024.

If you have any questions regarding Faith Formation for children in Grades 1st – 5th or the Sacrament of First Holy Communion for your child, please contact:

Susan Mills

Office of Religious Education

Direct Number: 310.316.4460

Email Address : [email protected]