Spiritual Formation

Religion Curriculum

Religion instruction takes place daily for all grades. The curriculum follows the Religion Standards set forth by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and is designed to:

• Help children to learn, understand and live out their Catholic beliefs;
• Help children to know how the Church worships through meaningful participation in the liturgy;
• Help children to recognize, understand and express that each person is called as a disciple of Jesus to love, forgive and serve others;
• Help children learn to pray the way Jesus did;
• Help children to become disciples of Christ, present in society and able to share their faith.

Liturgy

The Liturgy is celebrated with students twice a month in church on Wednesday mornings. The Parish liturgist works extensively in preparing students for full, active and informed participation in the school liturgy. Being a small school means that all children will have opportunities to participate in many positions and ministries including:

• lectors,
• altar servers,
• hospitality ministry
• music ministry,
• liturgy committee
• worship preparation volunteer.

Alternate Wednesdays are reserved for other forms of community worship such as:

• visits from St. Matthew’s Pastor
• visits to the chapel,
• walking the stations of the cross,
• learning the rosary,
• planning and performing service projects.

Sacrament Preparation

Sacrament preparation is offered through St. Matthew’s parish community outside of the school day. This allows St. Matthew’s students who come from other parishes to participate in their own church’s sacrament preparation.

First Communion

2nd grade students and older children who haven’t yet received this sacrament, along with an adult family member, will prepare for First Communion by meeting as a group with Fr. Steve Adrian four times over the course of the year as well as completing a prepatory workbook.

First Reconciliation

4th grade students and older children who haven’t yet received this sacrament, along with an adult family member, will prepare for First Reconciliation by meeting as a group with Fr. Steve Adrian four times over the course of the year as well as completing a prepatory workbook.