Ministries of Education
The catechesis of children, young people, and adults aims at teaching them to meditate on The Word of God in personal prayer, practicing it in liturgical prayer, and internalizing it at all times in order to fulfill the Word of God and bear fruit in a new life. Catechesis is also a time for the discernment and education of popular piety. The memorization of basic prayers offers an essential support to the life of prayer, but it is important to help learners savor their meaning. (The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2688 - for more information see 902, 1635, 1651, 1656-66, 2685 and 1783-85).
Education Calendar click HERE
Adult Formation
Contact: Christine Kuhbander, CKuhbander@sldm.org or call: 937-4555 Ex. 117
For Our Preschool Children
On Sunday Mornings:
Ages 3-5 years: From 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Religious Education (CCD) classes are offered for children at this age. The I AM SPECIAL series, published by Our Sunday Visitor, helps to develop the positive self-concepts about family, friends, church, school and themselves. Theylearn about a loving, caring God, about prayer and how to pray, and they develop a friendship with Jesus.
On Wednesday Afternoons:
Ages 3-5 years: From 3:45-5:00 PM in the parish hall. (See Sunday 3-5 year olds).
Monday - Friday:
5 year olds: From 8:30 - 11:30 AM each day - kindergarten is offered for children at this age at St. Louis de Montfort School.
Religious Education (CCD)
What is Religious Education (aka CCD)? Classes for students-mainly public school children-who wish to deepen their faith through understanding and appreciation of Catholicism and the Sacraments. Religious Education strengthens the child's relationship with Christ.
St. Louis de Montfort Parish has a large Religious Education Program. Besides serving those families in the immediate area, we have programs in Tanglewood, Los Alamos and Sisquoc. In addition there is a Hispanic Program, run by the Hispanic Ministry, on Tuesday nights. We currently have an enrollment of 500 children, ages 4 through 6th grade in both our English and Spanish program. In addition, we have a volunteer staff of 80 adults and teens working as catechists and assistants in the classroom.
Classes are on Sundays from 11:00 AM to 12:15 PM; and Wednesdays 3:45 PM to 5:00 PM.
Our First Communion Program is a two-year process, beginning as early as First Grade.
Besides instruction in the Catholic faith, additional activities include: receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and attending Mass, Stations of the Cross, May processions, Ash Wednesday Services, participation in canned food and Lenten drives, Christmas Adopt-A-Family, Advent and Lent Family Days, Living Stations, Nativity Display, Evening of Voices (choir concert) as well as many other activities. During the month of July we run our annual week-long vocation bible camp for over 200 children.
The program and the teachers do their best with the help of our Lord's grace to make your child a well-rounded individual in all aspects of life.
Scouts
The educational values of scouting need not to be proved. Parents of our parish lead Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cub and Boy Scouts.
The Search Retreat
“We are called to build and nurture a loving relationship with Jesus and others.” This retreat provides an opportunity for all adults, eighteen years and older, to experience a weekend centering on how personal is the love of Jesus for each of us and how His love can strengthen us on our journey in faith. The retreat is held three times a year here in Santa Maria. Adult Search Ages 18 and Older. Contact: Mickey and Terry Pardo at 805-925-5773
The Parish Retreat (SHINE)
"SHINE" - Spirit filled - Heartfelt - Integrated - New Evangelization. This Weekend Retreat is followed by an invitation to form a Small Christian Community. Communities of 8 to 12 members, meeting weekly, are at the center of parish renewal, rekindling fire in our hearts for Jesus, and molding us into more of "One Family in Christ."
Contact Joe McNeil 934-2869 or Rose Martinez 937-0740
Study of Sunday Scripture
Scripture classes are offered on Wednesday after the 8:00 AM Mass. Classes are approximately one hour and 30 minutes long and provide time to share on the following Sunday's scriptures. The classes are enhanced by the use of a videotape and study guide. You are welcome at any time. Other courses for Scripture are scheduled according to interest and volunteers to lead the program. Call for information on current available courses; or visit the parish website at www.sldm.org.
Bible Study
One of the most successful Bible Study programs began in 1974 in the Diocese of Little Rock, Arkansas. Members of that Diocese had expressed a strong desire and need to understand the Bible from a Catholic perspective. From that request came the Little Rock Scripture Study program.
Our Parish initiated the Little Rock Scripture program in 1987 with the first course being the study of The Acts of The Apostles. Since then we have completed five study courses, with an average of sixty participants.
The Little Rock Scripture Study program is a unique method of combining Bible Study and prayer that can help you make the connection between your faith and everyday living. There are three essential elements that make up this Scripture Study program:
- Daily personal prayerful reading with study guide.
- Regular small group meeting with sharing and taped lectures.
- Prayer at every stage
Scripture courses are regularly announced in the Church bulletin.
Adult Education Committee
This committee coordinates the educational activities of the other parish groups on behalf of the Parish Council. It takes or stimulates initiatives as needed, e.g., systematic updates on our Catholic faith, units or short series or workshops on a wide variety of topics.
