Religious Education 

Welcome!

     During this 2024-2025 school year, we would encourage all of our religious education families to return to the regular practice of their faith, that is, to the worship of God at Mass every Sunday. After all, our eternal happiness depends upon it!

Announcement

     We are pleased to announce that Mr. Bill McCaffrey is our new Director of Religious Education (DRE) for the collaborative!  He may be contacted at religioused@stjs.page.

Catechumens

     Catechumens are unbaptized persons who desire to be incorporated into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Initiation: baptism, confirmation, and the Holy Eucharist. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is for unbaptized children aged 7 and above (and also adults). Please see Registration for Catechumens (age 7+) 

First Communion (grade 3+)

     Grade 3 and higher persons who are baptized and desire to be incorporated into the Catholic Church through the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist. This can be for children or adults.  Please see Registration for First Communion (grade 3+) 

 Important dates for first communion parents/students 2024-2025

FIRST PENANCE (CONFESSION)

Instruction/“rehearsal”: 

     9:45am on Sunday, March 9 at St. Joseph Church in Pepperell

     10:10am on Sunday, March 9 at St. John the Evangelist in Townsend

First penance:

    12:00pm on Saturday, March 15 at St. John the Evangelist in Townsend

    2:00pm on Saturday, March 15 at St. Joseph Church in Pepperell

FIRST COMMUNION

Instruction/“rehearsal”: 

     9:45am on Sunday, April 27 at St. Joseph Church in Pepperell

     10:10am on Sunday, April 27 at St. John the Evangelist in Townsend 

First communion Mass:

    10:00am on Saturday, May 3 at St. John the Evangelist in Townsend

    12:30pm on Saturday, May 3 at St. Joseph Church in Pepperell

CONFIRMATION

Confirmation Retreat:

10:00am on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist parish hall (Townsend)

Confirmation (ceremony):

2:00pm or TBD at St. Joseph Church in Pepperell

 Schedule of classes 2024-2025

• For St. John the Evangelist parishioners:

  • • Grades 1 to 7 will meet from 10:10am to 11:10am at St. John’s parish hall in Townsend according to the following schedule.

    • Grades 8/9/10 (confirmation year) will meet from 10:10am to 11:30am at St. John’s parish hall in Townsend according to the following schedule.

• For Our Lady of Grace parishioners: 

  • • Grades 1 to 7 will meet from 9:45am to 10:50am at Saint Joseph’s parish hall in Pepperell according to the following schedule.

    • Grades 8/9/10 (confirmation year) will meet from 9:30am to 10:50am at Saint Joseph’s parish hall in Pepperell according to the following schedule.

• For both Saint John the Evangelist and Our Lady of Grace parishioners: Grades 7 and 8 will meet from 9:45am to 10:50am at Saint Joseph’s parish hall in Pepperell according to the following schedule.