Religious Education

Religious Education is a program run by the parish to disciple the youth of the Church, from 1st to 12th grade. It consists of formation classes, fun retreats, parent catechesis, and more.


Religious Education classes help support your child's faith as they learn and grow in their understanding of God and His Church. A child can be registered for classes starting in 1st grade. Here they begin to learn basic Catechesis and also prepare for their First Communion and Reconciliation. 


Confirmation preparation begins in 7th grade. It is a two year program.


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.  

  • Confirmation Retreat 2025-2026

    Games / Activities

  • Confirmation Retreat 2025-2026

    Women's Session

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  • Confirmation Retreat 2025-2026

    Candlelighting Ceremony

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  • Confirmation Retreat 2025-2026

    Performance Painter - Mike Debus

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  • Confirmation Retreat 2025-2026

    Adoration

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  • Confirmation Retreat 2025-2026

    Group Picture

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Frequently Asked Questions / Preguntas frecuentes

  • How do I sign up my child for Religious Education?

    Registrations for religious education take place each July in the basement office. Please come in person and ask to speak with Mary Carmen or Josefina to have your child registered. The 2026-2027 registration period is over, but there may still be spots available. Please come to the office or call at 574-293-8071 if you have not yet registered your child.


    Please read below to learn what you will need to bring with you! 

  • What if my child is unbaptized?

    If your child is 7 years or older and is unbaptized, he/she will need to register in O.C.I.C. (Order of Christian Initation of Children). This is a two year catechesis program required by the Church for those who are not yet baptized. At the end of the two years, your child will receive Baptism, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. 


    Similarly, for all unbaptized adults, they will go through the process of O.C.I.A.. This is for those who are 18 years or older, and it is a one year program. 


    Please come to the parish office in the basement of the Church to learn more and register. Classes begin in September and last until May.

  • Do I need to attend Sunday mass?

    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. 


    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. 

All About Registrations / Todo sobre las inscripciones

Registrations are Open

Welcome! We are glad you are here. Our role is to help you and your child flourish in your faith and grow closer to Our Lord as a family, especially during the years when your child is preparing to receive a sacrament. 


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! Classes begin in September. Please visit the parish office in the basement to complete registration as soon as possible. Registrations closed July 31st, 2026, but there may still be space available. 


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. 

$150 for 1 child, $250 for 2 children, $350 for 3 or more children.


Questions? Please call the parish office at 574-293-8071 and we would be happy to assist you.


Las inscripciones están abiertas

¡Bienvenido! Nos alegra que usted esté aquí. Nuestra papel es ayudarle y a su hijo a profundizar en la fe y acercarse más a Dios, especialmente durante estos años cuando su hijo está preparando a recibir un sacramento. 


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! 

Recoja el formulario de inscripción en la oficina parroquial lo más antes posible. Las inscripciones cerraron el 31 de julio 2026, pero puede ser disponibilidad. 


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. 

$150 por un niño, $250 por dos niños, o $350 por 3 niños o más.


Con cualquier pregunta, por favor llame a la oficina 574-293-8071. Estamos aquí para ayudarle. 


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!