Focus: Building the foundation of faith.

• Learning Goals:

  • Kindergarten: Introduction to classroom religious education.

  • Grade 1: Lays groundwork for Sacraments of Reconciliation & Eucharist (received in 2nd grade).

  • Learn basic prayers and importance of Sunday Mass.

• Parents’ Role: Help children learn prayers, attend Mass regularly, foster desire to prepare for sacraments.

• Baptism: If your child has not yet been baptized, don’t worry — we can help you begin that process. This sacrament is needed before the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.

• Sacraments:

  • Baptism (if needed)

Focus: Sacramental Preparation.

• Learning Goals:

  • First half of year: Preparation for 1st Reconciliation (communal service in January).

  • Second half of year: Preparation for 1st Eucharist (celebrated in May).

• Parents’ Role:

  • Actively involved in preparation.

  • Encourage frequent participation in the sacraments.

  • Model Mass attendance and Eucharistic devotion at home.

• Sacraments:

  • Baptism through the OCIA/OICA Progress (if needed)

  • First Reconciliation

  • First Communion

Focus: Deepening knowledge of Catholic faith & daily discipleship.

• Learning Goals:

  • Explore how to live out the faith daily.

  • Preparation offered for children who still need 1st Eucharist, 1st Reconciliation, or Baptism.

  • Continued importance of weekly Mass attendance.

  • Children not receiving sacraments still benefit from faith formation lessons.

• Parents’ Role: Reinforce what is taught at home and ensure family participation in Mass.

• Sacraments:

  • Baptism through the OCIA/OICA Process (if needed)

  • First Reconciliation (if needed)

  • First Communion (if needed)

Focus: Sacramental Preparation for Children Age 7 and older who have not yet been baptized

• Learning Goals:

  • Understand the basics of the Catholic faith

  • Prepare for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Communion at the Easter Vigil

  • Prepare for First Reconciliation after the Easter Vigil

• Parents’ Role:

  • Actively involved in preparation

  • Attend Mass regularly and foster desire to prepare for sacraments

  • Select godparents/sponsors that are models of the faith for their child.

Yes. We start our rosters fresh each year to make sure we have the most accurate attendance information when forming our classes, finding teachers, and buying materials!

Registration begins in July and ends in early September. If you want to register outside of this timeframe, please contact our Religious Education Staff.

Yes. Each family is charged based on the number of children in our program. Families with children in both the Religious Education and Youth Ministry programs can apply the multi-child discount by counting all children enrolled over both programs.

• $100 for one child

• $150 for 2 children

• $175 for 3+ children

If your child attends Charlottesville Catholic School, your basic fee is $50 per child.

For each child receiving sacraments, there is a $25 Sacramental Preparation fee added to the total cost above.

If you volunteer as a Catechist or Assistant then fees for your family are waived!

We offer scholarships if needed. Please discuss this need with our Religious Education Staff.

We also offer payment plans. You can divide your total fee over two or three payments if needed.

Charlottesville Catholic School (CCS) fulfills all of the general faith formation requirements for their students. However, CCS students do need to register with our program for Sacrament Preparation per the policies of the Diocese of Richmond.

No! We have additional activities throughout the year to support families in their desire to raise faith-filled children.

• All Incarnation children are welcome to join us for our Nativity Play and for Vacation Bible School.

• All Charlottesville area families are invited to join us for Children’s Adoration, the May Crowning celebration, and Children’s Stations of the Cross.