At Blessed Sacrament Parish, faith formation (or religious education) begins with sacramental preparation. Our parish offers faith formation for all ages and is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Our Faith Formation Program is using resources from Our Sunday Visitor publishing to allow for in-person with at-home discussions with family; reinforcing the role of the domestic church in our homes. These family friendly programs allow us to present the seven concepts of Faith Formation at the appropriate developmental levels from first grade through adults. These concepts are reinforced year after year to ensure our students develop a mature faith and a deep understanding of Church teachings.
If you have any questions, please contact Paul Lopez the Director of Religious Education at (619) 582-5722 Ext. 124 or email
Class Descriptions
Sacramental Preparation - First Communion
Year I - 1st Grade: The first year of Sacramental Preparation for first Eucharist focuses on reconciliation. Children reflect on practical ways to live as disciples, drawing upon the grace received in the Sacraments. They will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation at the end of the year.
Text: Encounter With Christ/Encuentro Con Cristo: Reconciliation, Our Sunday Visitor, publisher.
Year II - 2nd Grade: The second year of Sacramental Preparation for first Eucharist focuses on the Eucharist. The child is immersed into Christ’s Paschal Mystery, beginning with Baptism and deepened by active participation in the Sacraments. Children will receive First Eucharist at the end of the year.
Text: Encounter With Christ/Encuentro Con Cristo: Eucharist. Our Sunday Visitor, publisher.
Post Communion Faith Formation - Grades 3 through 8
Children who have already received the sacraments are also invited to continue their spiritual formation. The seven concepts of Faith Formation are presented with greater depth appropriate to the child’s age.
Text: Life in Christ/Vivo Con Cristo, Our Sunday Visitor, publisher.
Confirmation - Ages 14 through 18 (Grades 9 through 12)
This program weaves together liturgy and catechesis to prepare young people for the celebration of Confirmation. This is a two-year program ending in the individual receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The student must be at least 14 years of age to enroll. Students enrolling in Year 2 must have completed Year 1 of the program.
Text: Call to Celebration: Confirmation, Our Sunday Visitor, Publisher.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Children (R.C.I.C.)
R.C.I.C is to prepare unbaptized children, ages 9-17, for reception into the Catholic Church. The children will receive the Sacraments of Initiation, which are Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist or Holy Communion. Children are able to join this process at any time during the year. They need to participate in the process for at least one liturgical year ending with the reception of the Sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. The process includes Liturgy, Scripture study, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, faith sharing, and participation in a series of rituals leading up to full initiation at the Easter Vigil.
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.)
R.C.I.A. is to prepare unbaptized persons over the age of 17 for reception into the Catholic Church through Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. People are able to join this process at any time during the year. They need to participate in the process for at least one liturgical year ending with the reception of the Sacraments of initiation at the Easter Vigil. The process includes Liturgy, Scripture study, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, faith sharing, and participation in a series of rituals leading up to full initiation at the Easter Vigil.