Search
-
Faith Formation Office hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00am-3:00pmFriday 8:00am-2:00pm
Saturday, Sunday by appointment
-
Contact Us
- Faith Formation Staff
-
acullenstbenedictnj.orgDirector of Faith Formation -
Diana Saverinodsaverinostbenedictnj.orgCoordinator of Faith Formation
-
Tim Hoyehoyestbenedictnj.orgCoordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry
-
Ciro Saverinosaverinostbenedictnj.orgConfirmation Program Coordinator
-
Faith Formation Officefaithformationstbenedictnj.orgGeneral Email
-
Religious Education Programsupdated 09/26/2026
The placement of any child in any of our programs is contingent upon the family’s prior registration with our Parish Office. Please use the parish registration link.
Parish Registration
St. Benedict currently offers the following types of Religious Education:
Summer Academy
PLEASE NOTE: 8th Grade (final Confirmation Prep) is not offered during Summer Academy.
This program is a one-week intensive Religious Education experience for students in grades 1 - 7 from Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm. It includes attendance on at least four (4) family days during the academic school year. Attendance at the family sessions is mandatory for students and at least one family member. If the family sessions are not attended the year will have to be completed.
Traditional Religious Education Program
This program for grades 1-7 meets on Sundays from September through May, with ten (10) sessions in 2026-2027 (see the class dates). Classes are 9:15-10:45 am. Students and their parents are encouraged to attend the 8 am or 11 am Mass before or after class. Grade 8 meets on Sunday evenings as part of Confirmation Preparation (see below). This program includes attendance of at least four (4) intergenerational sessions (Family Days) during the academic school year. Attendances at these sessions are mandatory for all students, and, at least, one family member. If the sessions are not attended, the religious education year is not considered completed. The Traditional Program is also supplemented by a Family Journal and periodic in-person check-in sessions to preview journal entries.
7th Graders may attend either the Traditional Program on Sundays or Summer Academy.
First Holy Communion Sacramental Preparation
Our First Holy Communion Program is a two-year course usually starting in 1st Grade. Students in their second year of preparation, attending either Summer Academy or the Traditional Program, will also be asked to attend Sacramental Preparation sessions during the year. There will be approximately six (6) of these sessions.
Confirmation Preparation Program
Our Confirmation program is a two-year course usually starting in 7th Grade. Incoming 8th Graders can register in the fall. In 2026-2027 they meet on Sunday evenings from 6:00-7:45 pm for ten (10) sessions beginning October 25, plus a retreat on November 15. See the Confirmation Prep page for the full calendar. They are encouraged to arrive earlier for the 5 pm Mass. Also included in the preparation program will be retreats, service opportunities, reconciliation services, and Confirmation practices.
Home Study
Home study is only granted in extreme cases when the child is unable to attend religious education due to medical, academic, and/or behavioral situations. The home study will not be used for scheduling conflicts of any kind. Home study is NOT allowed for a child who is receiving a sacrament that year (grades 2 or 8). If you are exploring this option for your child, please make an appointment with the Faith Formation Office.
Special Needs
Special needs children can either be mainstreamed in either of our two above-mentioned programs or enrolled in a program under the auspices of the Holy Innocents Society of the Diocese of Trenton, NJ. (https://dioceseoftrenton.org/holy-innocents-society .) The children meet here at St. Benedict, under their own special calendar created by the facilitator from the Holy Innocents Society. If you are exploring this option for your child, please make an appointment.
Catch Up
If your child has missed a significant amount of catechesis in Grades 1-6, a catch up year may be required before sacramental prep can begin. Please make an appointment to discuss options.