Family Faith Formation

Youth Ministry & Religious Education

We're here to walk with you and your family on the journey to Heaven

All are welcome to join us for this weekly Mass with Fr. Dietrich, especially geared toward teens and families. The music will be a mix of prayerful, praise and worship songs and traditional hymns. The last Sunday of every month will be the Teen Mass, where teens will serve as lectors.

Religious Education Program

Mission Statement

The Religious Education Program at St. Matthew Church has as its foundation the understanding that we as church educators are here only to assist the parents in carrying out their responsibilities for the religious formation of their children. We attempt to accomplish this goal by empowering each catechist with a formation program of their own that gives them the confidence and the practical knowledge to instruct the children entrusted to their care.

Together, we strive to develop an integrated program that appeals to the spiritual senses of our children providing for them a comprehensive and holistic faith experience. The catechists associated with the Religious Education program, together with the parents, work as a team to pass along Jesus' Gospel message to our children.

As a registered member of this parish, your children have the opportunity to grow in faith in our Religious Education Program. We encourage you to attend Mass with your children and teach them simple prayers: The Sign of the Cross, The Lord's Prayer, The Hail Mary, The Glory Be, and Grace Before and After Meals.

Classes for Grades 1-8

Children in Grades 1-8 attend classes on Sunday mornings from 10:00-11:00am. Grades 1-6 meet at St. Matthew School and Grades 7-8 meet at St. Matthew Parish Center.

Calendar: https://stmatthewrcc.com/uploads/files/amanda/religiouseducationcalendar.pdf

Confirmation Nights for Grade 9

Teens in Grade 9 meet on Sunday nights, after 5pm Mass, in the St. Matthew Parish Center to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Students attending Catholic school and public school must attend Confirmation Nights.

Calendar: https://stmatthewrcc.com/uploads/files/amanda/confirmationcalendar.pdf

Tuition Rates

Religious Educaation Classes for Grades 1-8

One Child: $60
Two Children: $100
Three or More Children: $120

Confirmation Program for Grades 9 & 10

$100 per Student. This includes both years.

Registration

Children in grades 1-8 who do not attend Catholic school should register for Religious Education. All students in grades 9 & 10 must register for the Confirmation Program in order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 10th grade. For those registering for the first time, please attach a copy of your child's Baptismal certificate to the Registration Form. Completed Registration Forms can be brought to the Rectory or mailed to the Office of Religious Education.

Registration Form:

https://stmatthewrcc.com/uploads/files/amanda/religiouseducationregistration.pdf

Catechists

Our team of Catechists are passionate about sharing our Catholic faith. If you would like information about teaching a Religious Education class, please contact Maryann Wisniewski. Teachers who are parents of Religious Education students receive a reduced rate for their child's tuition.

Contact Information

Maryann Wisniewski, Director of Religious Education

Email: Mewdre@stmatthewrcc.com

Office Phone: (860) 583-7806 ext. 2

Sunday Mornings During Religious Education: 10:00-11:00am: (860) 583-5214

Church and Rectory Address:

120 Church Avenue

Forestville, CT

St. Matthew School Address:

33 Welch Drive

Forestville, CT

Mailing Address:

St. Matthew Church

Office of Religious Education

P.O. Box 9216

Forestville, CT 06011

Youth Group for Grades 5-8

Edge at St. Matthew Catholic Church is a fun, welcoming community. Teens in grades 5-8 come together to form Christ-centered friendships, get answers to their questions about faith, and experience the love of God. Edge helps us grow as the people God created us to be.

To learn more about Edge Ministry: https://lifeteen.com/edge-ministry/

Youth Ministry for Grades 9-12

Connect Groups

We are currently forming Connect Groups!

Teens can form a group with their friends and pick a day/time to meet at the Parish Center at St. Matthew Church, or on Zoom.

Connect Groups will provide our teens with an opportunity to grow in faith with their friends and remain connected with God and each other. During Connect groups, teens will grow as disciples through reading Scripture, praying together, asking questions and having conversations about God, and being part of a Catholic community. Each Connect Group can choose which topics/aspects of faith they would like to grow in.

Contact Amanda, our Youth Minister, at Youthministry@stmatthewrcc.com to learn more about being part of a Connect Group!

Steubenville East 2022

We encourage you to save the date (July 22-24, 2022), and spread the word about the Steubenville East Conference. Invite other high school students to join our group! To reserve your spot, please write a check for $50.00 to St. Matthew Church with "Steubenville Deposit" in the memo line. Our goal, with fundraising, is to keep the total cost of the weekend under $150 per student. When registrations officially open in January, each student must fill out a registration form and pay the remaining balance for the trip. We look forward to attending Steubenville East 2022 with you!

Website to learn more: https://steubenvilleconferences.com/youth/

If interested in attending Steubenville East 2022, please email Amanda at Youthministry@stmatthewrcc.com.

Young Adult Groups in CT for Ages 18-35

*Contact groups for updates related to Covid-19*

Facebook: Blessed is She // Northeast Region

C4C Young Adult Groups: Crossroadsforchrist.org

Facebook: Greater Hartford C4C Email: C4Cgreaterhartford@gmail.com

Facebook: Frassati C4C - New Haven Email: FrassatiC4C@gmail.com Facebook: Frassati New Haven Email: info@frassatinewhaven.org

Faith Resources for Young Catholics

Saint Spotlight: St. Matthew

Feast Day: September 21

As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post. He said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. While he was at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” -Matthew 9:9-13

Prayer of Thanksgiving for St. Matthew

We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your Apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever, Amen.

"God is Still Good" Playlist on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0koHOZP6VaOThTLiINrwuh?si=7iSkQy3wT1aHCp8HcAzO6g

Songs to check out: