Faith & Sacraments

Three years of study, worship, and preparation, culminating in Confirmation.

Faith is not a single subject at School of St. Mary; it is the foundation on which the whole day is built. Middle school students study Scripture and Church teaching daily, worship together weekly, and spend three years preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation, continuing a sacramental journey that began with First Reconciliation and First Communion in the elementary grades.

How Middle School Studies Faith

List of 3 items.

6th Grade

Students study the Old Testament, tracing major figures, covenants, and God’s revelation across salvation history, and begin their three years of Confirmation preparation. They complete seven Mass Reflections over the course of the year.
7th Grade

Students turn to the New Testament, studying the life and teachings of Jesus in the Gospels and exploring moral decision-making and the call to discipleship. Confirmation preparation continues through parish religious education sessions, written assignments, and projects, alongside continued Mass Reflections.
8th Grade

Students study the teachings, structure, and mission of the Catholic Church, complete Confirmation preparation through parish meetings, retreats, and a Confirmation interview, and celebrate the Sacrament in the spring.

Three Years, One Sacrament

Confirmation preparation begins in Sixth Grade and continues for three years, culminating in the Sacrament each spring of Eighth Grade. Students choose a sponsor, attend parish retreats, and, in the words of the program, answer the call to become “missionary witnesses of Jesus Christ” in their families, school, and community. Parents remain central throughout as the “first teachers” in their child’s formation, and the preparation process includes mandatory parent meetings and family retreats.

Confirmation at the Church of St. Mary

Faith Woven Through Every Day

Each school day begins with prayer, and students attend weekly Mass together at the Church of St. Mary. Beyond the classroom, students take part in parish retreats and field trips and serve their community, building the habits of worship, reflection, and giving that carry a Crusader’s faith beyond graduation.