Welcome to the Religious Formation K-5 Home Page!
Glad you stopped by to learn a little more about this
faith-filled ministry at St. Thomas More.
For immediate questions answered, Trish Pabis, Coordinator of Religious Formation K-5 and Sacramental Prep, can be reached via email at: [email protected]
Registration for Religious Formation K-5
PLEASE NOTE: It is never too late to register for Religious Formation K-5 (RF K-5). We'd love to have your youth join our gatherings to share stories about our Catholic faith and how we are living out our call to be missionary disciples. Please contact Trish Pabis directly or complete the fillable PDF registration form as stated below to have your youth participate.
One can register for Religious Formation K-5 either on-line or via paper registration forms for the 2024/2025 academic year. Please click on the file at the end of this section to access a "fillable PDF" file. Please fill out the form, save it, and send the file (via email attachment) to Trish Pabis, Coordinator of RF K-5, at [email protected].
The fee for the Religious Formation K-5 is $40 per youth; $100 maximum per family (fees are pro-rated if entering the program mid to late year).
No child / youth will be denied Religious Formation based on inability to pay the registration fee.
Scholarships are available. Please contact Trish Pabis to discuss your situation in confidence.
Religious Formation Catechists who have children enrolled in the program will have the registration fees waived. “Adult Helpers” in the classrooms with have the registration fees reduced by 50%. Interested in sharing your gifts and talents, please contact Trish Pabis at [email protected] to learn more about volunteering with this ministry.
One can register for Religious Formation K-5 either on-line or via paper registration forms for the 2024/2025 academic year. Please click on the file at the end of this section to access a "fillable PDF" file. Please fill out the form, save it, and send the file (via email attachment) to Trish Pabis, Coordinator of RF K-5, at [email protected].
The fee for the Religious Formation K-5 is $40 per youth; $100 maximum per family (fees are pro-rated if entering the program mid to late year).
No child / youth will be denied Religious Formation based on inability to pay the registration fee.
Scholarships are available. Please contact Trish Pabis to discuss your situation in confidence.
Religious Formation Catechists who have children enrolled in the program will have the registration fees waived. “Adult Helpers” in the classrooms with have the registration fees reduced by 50%. Interested in sharing your gifts and talents, please contact Trish Pabis at [email protected] to learn more about volunteering with this ministry.
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Religious Formation K-5 Schedule
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Vision for Religious Formation K-5: |
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For the 2024-2025 academic year, the Religious Formation K-5 (RF K-5) Program at St. Thomas More Catholic Church will continue to be a combination of traditional individual grade-level format as well as Intergenerational Sunday Family Activities. The RF K-5 gatherings will occur on most Sunday mornings from 9:45 am (please note start time change) until 11 am. This time enables RF K-5 youth to meet at the same time as our Middle School youth (grades 6-8) providing opportunities for collaboration and mentoring between the different age groups. As previously mentioned, two different types of gatherings will occur on Sundays from 9:45 am until 11 am. The first is the individual grade-level format which will be referred to as "RF K-5 Gathering." Youth will attend with their individual grade level peers for catechesis and faith sharing. Parents do not attend. The second gathering, "Sunday Family Activity," is an intergenerational opportunity for every member of the family to attend, participate, and have fun. There is a mixture of games, crafts, relays, and challenges for the entire family to engage in. Get to know the other STM families in a relaxed and playful environment. CURRENTLY, the Sunday Summer Family Activities are being hosted from 9:45 am until 11 am in Frassati Hall (downstairs in the education wing) at STM. This is an opportunity for families to participate in faith-based crafts, games, and challenges to grow in their faith and friendship with other families within our Church community during the summer months. No registration required - just stop on by! Stay for a few minutes or the full hour. Participate in one activity or all! |
By virtue of faith and our baptism, we, the parents and catechists at STM, are called to be "a witness of faith and keeper of the memory of God." (Directory for Catechesis, pg 73, para 113). As parents, we have the primary role in educating our children about the Catholic faith.
As Catechists, we support and accompany the parents as we proclaim the Gospel and God's love for all of creation. At St. Thomas More Catholic Church, the Catechists follow the Catechetical Curriculum set forth by the Richmond Diocese to help supplement the parents’ teachings at home. It is the Religious Formation’s vision to explore the 6 Key Concepts at an age-appropriate level for each student in a nurturing, faith-filled environment. The Key Concepts are: 1. Knowledge of Faith 2. Liturgical Education 3. Moral Education 4. Teaching to pray 5. Education for Community Life 6. Missionary Initiation |
Ways to volunteer with the Religious Formation K-5 Program
There are several ways to be involved with the RF K-5 Program at St. Thomas More Catholic Church (STM). You can either volunteer as a lead or co-Catechist being responsible for lesson plans and sharing of the faith. There is also a need for classroom assistants / helpers who are present in the classroom to provide assistance with activities and redirection of behavior.
You do not need to have children enrolled in the program to volunteer. Please keep in mind, in order to work with children, you will need to have had VIRTUS training as well as a background check. It is the policy of the Diocese of Richmond that any adult over the age of 18 years who is interested in volunteering and interacting directly with children is required to attend the Protecting God’s Children (PGC) course to become VIRTUS certified.
PGC is a 3-hour course that involves watching a video and having participant discussion. VIRTUS training is provided in various locations throughout the Diocese of Richmond including STM as well as virtually online. STM has two certified VIRTUS instructors who regularly schedule classes throughout the year at STM.
Please refer to the Diocesan website (www.Richmonddiocese.orgrichmonddiocese.org/registering-for-an-upcoming-virtus-training-program/) for training dates, locations, and to register for a course. During the online registration process, you will also have the opportunity to fill out a background check request form. Please note, STM will cover the costs associated with the background checks. If you have any questions, or to inquire more about this requirement, please contact Trish Pabis.
You do not need to have children enrolled in the program to volunteer. Please keep in mind, in order to work with children, you will need to have had VIRTUS training as well as a background check. It is the policy of the Diocese of Richmond that any adult over the age of 18 years who is interested in volunteering and interacting directly with children is required to attend the Protecting God’s Children (PGC) course to become VIRTUS certified.
PGC is a 3-hour course that involves watching a video and having participant discussion. VIRTUS training is provided in various locations throughout the Diocese of Richmond including STM as well as virtually online. STM has two certified VIRTUS instructors who regularly schedule classes throughout the year at STM.
Please refer to the Diocesan website (www.Richmonddiocese.orgrichmonddiocese.org/registering-for-an-upcoming-virtus-training-program/) for training dates, locations, and to register for a course. During the online registration process, you will also have the opportunity to fill out a background check request form. Please note, STM will cover the costs associated with the background checks. If you have any questions, or to inquire more about this requirement, please contact Trish Pabis.
