Director Steve Melito

Instructing our young people in the fundamentals of our Catholic faith plays a significant role in the future of the church. Sharing the deeper meaning and purpose of our faith is a reward unto itself. 

The classes are for students in grades 1 through 11. Instruction begins in September and continues until May. The classes are held on Sunday morning from 9-10 a.m. in the former Notre Dame School off Maple Street. Currently there are approximately 140 students enrolled. Average class size ranges from five to fifteen students. Grades 2 and 11 usually have a higher enrollment because they prepare students receiving the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. There are two teachers per class who instruct on a rotating schedule.

Child Advocate

In each parish, a Child Advocate is needed to be responsible for ensuring that diocesan Safe Environment protocols are followed. The Advocate provides training to all personnel who have contact with children. After training, personnel sign a Code of Conduct that documents and confirms compliance with the diocesan policy. The Advocate must also document all parish personnel and especially those who have contact with children; complete CORI forms; and know the procedure to report abuse. They must maintain lists and relevant attendance dates of students enrolled in the CCD program.

In conjunction with the CCD program, a prevention education component, SEED (Safe Environment Every Day), is taught to students, who also must be documented by the Advocate.

The SEED Teacher

A teacher is needed who will present an educational component of pertinent topics relevant to particular grades in the CCD program listed below. 

​1st grade:​Rules about the Body

​2nd grade:​Rules for Interacting with Others

​3rd grade:​Listening to Your Intuition

​4th grade:​Secrets – Those you keep and Those You Share

​5th grade:​Healthy Friendships

​6th grade:​Healthy Boundaries in Real Time and Cyberspace

Grades 7-11

“Called to Protect for Youth” workshops for students in middle and high school are scheduled throughout the school year, either as part of the regular Religious Education classes or as specially scheduled sessions. Trained facilitators with backgrounds in education and youth counseling join catechists in presenting this positive, informative program. Three engaging DVD presentations followed by group activities and facilitated discussion give young people an opportunity to practice skills in resisting potential exploitation and boundary violations. The program reinforces Catholic and family teachings about values and self-care. The Springfield Diocese began offering these workshops in 2006."

To register, see the form below. Complete the form and return to the parish office as soon as possible. The registration fee is $25 per student.Students in sacramental programs (grades 2 and 11) also have an additional fee of $20 to cover the cost of those programs.