ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL 

FAITH FORMATION 2024-25

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED FOR THE 

2024-25 FAITH FORMATION YEAR. 

Click on the image below for 
Empowering God's Children!

       Empowering God's Children, required by the Diocese for all of our Faith Formation 

       students, is designed to help parents and families learn how to protect children                                     against sexual and physical abuse and is a way to help parents introduce the concepts of 

       personal safety, boundaries, and more - all in age-appropriate ways. We partner with you 

       to ensure that your children are empowered to live as God intended - in safe, loving, and 

       protected environments.  

       We will reach out to you about this requirement each year, but you are free to explore!        

IN-PERSON FAITH FORMATION 
 
 FAITH FORMATION IN-PERSON SESSIONS
 Tuesday 4:15-5:30 PM
 Tuesday 6:30-7:45 PM
 Wednesday 5:00-6:15 PM
 
 All In-Person sessions meet at the St. Bernard campus at:

 311 Washington Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15216

IN-PERSON sessions start September 17th and 18th. Parents and children will meet in St. Bernard Church. Children will be dismissed from Clairvaux Hall.

 HOMESCHOOL FAITH FORMATION SESSIONS
1. Every homeschool student will be provided with a unique SMA email address. 

This will be the ONLY email address that will be accepted for Homeschool work.
Note: for grades 1-6 a book is required to begin Homeschool. The 7^th and 8^th grade use an on-line program.

2. Homeschool Saturday Sessions
All Homeschool children are expected to attend at least two Homeschool Saturday Sessions. Each session is held at the St. Bernard location from 9:30-11:00 AM.
 All children will be dropped off to Clairvaux Hall.    
                          
A Sign up will be sent out prior to each session date. You will only be able to sign up for one session at a time. The dates are:

• October 5th, 2024

• November 2nd, 2024

• December 7th, 2024

• January 11th, 2025
   
                                  SACRAMENTAL INFORMATION
   
   Both First Communion and Confirmation require at least two consecutive years of formation. If you have transferred from another parish, a letter from that parish will be required stating your child’s completion of either the first or seventh grade formation.
   
   *Note: if you have a child in either the First Communion class or Confirmation class (2^nd or 8^th) there will be an additional $10 fee to help with retreat costs.
  
  
  
                                                  FIRST COMMUNION:
   
   A First Reconciliation and First Communion meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 10, 2024 at 12:30 PM in Clairvaux Hall. At least one parent should plan on attending this. Your child may also attend at your discretion.
   
   A copy of your child's baptism certificate is required.  Use the link below to upload.                CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CERTIFICATES

SAVE THE DATES:

•    In-Person Faith Formation students will attend a practice during their session on February 4th and February 5th, at St. Bernard church. 
•     Homeschool Faith Formation students are invited on Wed, February 5th at 6:30 PM, in the St. Bernard Church
•     Catholic school students are invited on Wed, February 5th at 6:30 PM in the St. Bernard Church
•    Practice at Our Lady of Grace will be on Thursday, February 13th at 4:30 PM

• Saturday, March 22nd from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon at STB (limited space)
• Saturday, March 29th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon at STB (limited space)
• Saturday, April 5th from 9:00 AM - 12:00 Noon at OLG (limited space)

                                                               CONFIRMATION:
 
 Both a parent AND the candidate MUST ATTEND A REQUIRED MEETING ON EITHER:

                                  Sunday, October 6th, 2024 at 12:45 PM in Keefer Hall
                                                                         OR 
                                      Wednesday, October 9, 2024  in Clairvaux Hall at 6:30 PM

 NOTE: If you cannot attend either meeting, you will need to set up a one-on-one meeting with the Faith Formation Coordinator.
 
 Note: Confirmation formation at SMA Faith Formation is a two-year program beginning in the 7th grade year. If you are new to our program in the 8th grade year,  contact Bethann at bpetrovich@smapgh.org for information.
 

If your child attends a Catholic School, the religious instruction is left to that school. There will be additional requirements (service hours, Mass reflections etc.) for Confirmation which will be reviewed at the October 9th or 13th meeting.
 
 We are required to obtain a copy of ALL Confirmation Candidates' Baptismal Certificates and First Communion Certificates. Submit your child's certificates by CLICK HERE

Saint Michael the Archangel
 Faith Formation
       311 Washington Road
        Pittsburgh, PA 15216