Religious Education

Religious Education is a program run by the parish to disciple the youth of the Church. 


A child can be registered for classes starting in 1st Grade. Here they begin to learn basic Catechesis and prepare for their First Communion and Reconciliation. 


After two years of preperation, a child is able to receive the sacrament. The years between 2nd and 7th grade are for the formation of the child in Catechesis. 


Note: Religious Education is not just for preparing for the sacraments. Although, classes are necessary in order to receive the sacraments. Religious Education is for the all around faith formation of the youth.  

Frequently Asked Questions / Preguntas frecuentes

  • How do I sign up my child for Religious Education? ¿Cómo inscribirse mi niño para el catecismo?

    Registration will be in person this year, not online. / Este año la inscripción está en persona, no online.  


    Please read below to learn what you will need to bring with you! / Por favor, ¡leer que necesita traer con usted para inscribirse!

  • What if my child is unbaptized? / ¿Qué hago si mi niño no está bautizado?

    If your child is 7 years or older and is unbaptized, he/she will need to register in O.C.I.A. This is a two year catechesis program required by the Church for those who are not yet baptized. / Si su niño tiene mas de 7 años y no está bautizada, tendrá que inscribir en O.C.I.A. Este es un programa de catechesis requirido por la Iglesia para ellos que no están bautizados. 


    At the end of the two years, your child will receive Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. To register in O.C.I.A., please fill out the yellow form in Vincent Hall. / Al final del segundo año, su niño va a recibir todos los tres sacramentos: el Bautismo, la Primera Comunión, y la Confirmación. Para inscribirse en O.C.I.A., por favor, completar la forma amarilla en Vincent Hall lo más pronto posible. 

  • Do I need to attend Sunday mass? ¿Tengo que asistir a la misa del domingo?

    Yes. It is through the Holy Mass where you and your child will encounter the love and grace of Jesus Christ. He waits for you there and is excited to welcome you. As a parent, you have the responsibility to teach your child the gift of the faith, specifically by helping them learn how to worship God. We owe God worship, and we come to Mass to offer a pleasing sacrifice to Him, to give Him praise in the way He asked us to, through the Holy Eucharist: "Do this in rememberance of me." We share in his life, death, and resurrectiona at Holy Mass. / 

    Sí. Es a través de la Santa Misa donde usted y su hijo encontrarán el amor y la gracia de Jesucristo. Él los espera allí y se complace en darles la bienvenida. Como padre, usted tiene la responsabilidad de enseñar a su hijo el don de la fe, específicamente ayudándolo a aprender a adorar a Dios. Le debemos adoración a Dios y venimos a Misa para ofrecerle un sacrificio agradable, para alabarle como Él nos pidió, a través de la Sagrada Eucaristía: «Hagan esto en memoria mía». Compartimos su vida, muerte y resurrección en la Santa Misa.


    Because of this, it is a mortal sin to intentionally miss Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, provided you are not sick and physically able to be there. / 

    Por ello, es pecado mortal faltar intencionalmente a Misa los domingos y días de precepto, siempre que que no haya enfermedad, imposibilidad física real o cuidado de un enfermo. 

All About Registrations / Todo sobre las inscripciones

Las inscripciones están abiertas

¡Bienvenido! Antes de inscribir a su hijo en clases de educación religiosa, revise el manual de educación religiosa. Como se explicó anteriormente, usted es el principal protagonista de la formación religiosa de su hijo. Estamos aquí para ayudarlo en este papel, pero usted debe tomar la iniciativa. Nuestro manual describe las responsabilidades que debe estar listo para asumir para cumplir con este papel vital, que es fundamental para el cumplimiento de su vocación como padre. 


La iglesia requiere un programa de dos años para quienes reciben los sacramentos. Si su hijo va a recibir la Primera Comunión o la Confirmación este año, debe haber asistido a la educación religiosa el año anterior.​


¡Inscribe hoy mismo a su hijo/a en las clases de formación en la fe para jóvenes! Se puede inscribir para el año académico 2025-2026 del lunes 14 de julio hasta el lunes 11 de agosto. 

Recoja el formulario de inscripción en la oficina parroquial. 


Nota, para inscribir a su hijo/a:

  • debe ser feligrese
  • presentar una copia del certificado de bautismo del niño


La forma de pago puede ser con tarjeta, dinero en efectivo, o cheque. 

$100 por niño, $75 por cada niño adicional, o $250 máximo por una familia de 3 niños.


Las clases de educación religiosa comenzarán el domingo 17 de agosto de​  9:30am-10:45am y 12:30pm-1:45pm.


Manual de Educación Religiosa

Registrations are Open

Welcome! Before registering your child for religious education classes, please review the religious education handbook. As explained above, you are the primary protagonist of your child's religious formation. We are here to assist you in this role, but you must take the lead. Our handbook outlines the responsibilities you must be ready to take on to fulfill this vital role, which is critical to your fulfillment of your vocation as a parent.


The church requires a two-year program for those receiving Sacraments. If your child is to receive First Holy Communion or Confirmation this year, he or she must have attended religious education the previous year. 


Register today for your child to be enrolled in youth faith formation classes! Registration is open for 2025-2026 school year from Monday, July 14th - Monday, August 11th. Please pick up a registration form in the parish office. 

Please note:

  • You must be a parishioner
  • Submit a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate 


Payment may be made by card, cash, or check. 

$100 per child, $75 for additional child, $250 maximum for a family of 3 or more kids.


Religious Ed Handbook

Find the class schedule here! /¡Encuentra el horario de clases aquí!


Schedule

Meet our New

Director of Youth Faith Formation!

Peace be with you!

My name is Mary Carmen Zakrajsek, and I am very honored to serve as the new Director of Youth Faith Formation here at St. Vincent’s. It is great to meet you all! Praise God for His goodness.


It is because of the faith formation I received from my own parish at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel that has given me the desire to cultivate the hearts of students. We are all thirsting, all journeying, and all hungering for Love – and as St. Augustine reminds us, “Our hearts our restless until they rest in You, O Lord.”


Since the only teacher is Christ the Teacher, I hope to create meaningful experiences of encounter with Christ for our youth throughout their religious education. As they prepare to receive the priceless gift of the sacraments and develop a love for the Lord, may their hearts be set on fire for Him and transform the whole world, from Elkhart onward.


By way of a formal introduction, I am from Carmel, IN, and graduated from Marian University in Indianapolis in 2021. Afterwards, I spent three years educating, equipping, and mobilizing pro-life students and community members to protect and promote the sanctity of life on a local, state, and national level. I have also served in various roles as mentor, keynote speaker, and formation leader on several parish and diocesan retreats, preparation teams, and small groups, and I am excited to bring energy, joy, and care for the human heart to our Religious Education. Thank you for the warm welcome I’ve received!