As parents and guardians, you are the primary educators of your children and are their best teachers. Your children learn the most from the example you set when you pray together and actively participate in Mass and the Sacraments as a family. IHM’s Youth Faith Formation (YFF) program is dedicated to supplementing the faith formation they are receiving at home. Our catechists strive to help your children grow in faith and develop a stronger relationship with God, but we need your help.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to join during the year to aid in the classroom. If you would like to become a catechist aide for the year or are interested in becoming a catechist, please contact one of us. All parents are invited to attend parent sessions to help with their own faith formation while the children are in class.

If your child received a sacrament at another parish and is receiving the Sacrament of First Communion, we will need a copy of their Baptismal Certificate. If your child received a Sacrament at another parish and is receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, we will need a copy of their Baptismal Certificate and First Communion Certificate. NOTE: DEADLINE to turn these copies in to me is September 18, 2022.

The IHM App and e-mail will be used to communicate important updates, reminders, or class cancellations due to inclement weather.

Thank you for your love and dedication as parents and guardians to the Catholic faith formation of your children. May this year be a time of grace and growth for us all. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call or email me.

Grace and Peace!

Mary Loyd

Director of Religious Education, IHM

www.masstimes.org to help you find Mass times at local Catholic churches during your travels.

CMG Training:

Completion of Catholic Mutual Group (CMG) training is a requirement prior to volunteering in classrooms. https://littlerock.cmgconnect.org/. Training is available online. Click on the “Parish Volunteer” heading on the CMG website for more information. Please complete the training if you plan to serve as a catechist or wish to assist the catechists during the year.

Textbooks:

The Word of Life textbooks will be used throughout the academic year. All textbooks lost or returned damaged will be assessed at $25 fee per book to the family. This fee will be required in order for the student to complete the academic year and progress to the next level.

Sacramental Prep:

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as the Diocese of Little Rock has established regulations which every Catholic Church must adhere to. Sacrament preparation must be done in the community, that is in the Parish, and will be accomplished by requiring all students in the given sacrament year to attend retreats and/or events, such as service projects, Holy Hours, or Diocesan events.

Secondly, a year of faith formation must be taught to the students before the student can enter a sacrament preparation program. This is met either through a year of PRE/YFF or a year at a Catholic school prior to the year the child is to receive the sacrament.

Inclement Weather:

Weather can sometimes be unpredictable. If a situation should arise where we need to cancel YFF class due to inclement weather, we will communicate this via the IHM App and email by 7:15am on Sunday morning. For those who prefer communication by telephone, please inform your teacher or the YFF Director.

Communication:

If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach the Director of Religious Education, Mary Loyd, at (501) 851-2763, or by email at dre@ihmnlr.org.

Please verify your email address to receive important reminders or if you have not provided one, please do so.