RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 

“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (Mark 10:14)

Please plan to attend one of the two mandatory parent meeting and book distribution:

Sunday, September 7, 2025 from 9:00-10:00 AM

                                   OR

Sunday, September 14, 2025 from 6:30-7:30 PM

If you have questions about any of the following programs, please email our Director of Family Faith Formation, Kelly Guest at kelly.guest@archbalt.org.

FAMILY FAITH FORMATION

St. Bartholomew’s Religious Education is a family catechetical program. Parents and their children attend twice a month. Families can choose from the morning session from 8:30-10:15 AM on the third Sundays of the month or the evening session from 5:30-7:30 PM on the fourth Sundays of the month. We meet one other time during the month (day and time will vary) for a family faith formation activity. Families are to choose at least 4 of the 8 activities in which to participate.

Welcome New Families! You can register here: Religious Education Registration Link  This form is for new families only. Once you complete this form, the Religious Education office will be notified and will review your application. If approved, you will receive notification on automated email from Parish Giving with login credentials for an account created for you. Sign into your Parish Giving account to select sessions for your child/ren and make a payment.

Welcome Back, Families of Faith! You can reregister here.
If you registered for religious education last year, you will not need to fill out a form. You will simply receive an email from Parish Giving containing login credentials to the account already created for you. There is no need to create a new account. If you do not receive this automated email, please contact Kelly Guest or Christina Gambrill at 410-239-8881.
During our monthly meetings, we will share a meal together. Then, we will divide up into the groups listed below. Children will go with catechists for a fun lesson; parents will stay with Mrs. Kelly for instructional support and information needed to teach your children the faith. Parents will be asked to complete at least 2 other religion lessons with their children at home. Plus, there are monthly family faith formation activities from which families are to choose at least four to participate in.
  • Angels: ages 2-4
  • Venerables: ages 5 & 6
  • Blesseds: ages 7 & 8
  • Saints: ages 9 & 10
  • Confessors: middle school
  • Doctors: high school
  • Martyrs: parents

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

Sacrament Policy: All young people desiring to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, First Holy Eucharist, or Confirmation must attend Catholic School, a Catholic Homeschool Program, or our Faith Formation Program for the year prior to the sacramental year, as well as the sacramental year itself. During the sacramental year, candidates are also required to enroll in one of our Sacramental Preparation Programs. Sacramental Preparation is separate from regular Faith Formation, in accordance with the policies of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

Preparation for second graders or grade school students, who have not yet received these sacraments, will take place two Sunday afternoons a month from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM at the parish center. A pizza lunch will be provided.

Confirmation

This 2025-26 school, we will be preparing all middle school students, grades 6-8, who were previously enrolled in religious education, for Confirmation. Classes will take place two Sunday afternoons a month from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM at the parish center. A pizza lunch will be provided.

OCIA – for high school and adults

If you are considering becoming Catholic or if you just want to learn more about the Catholic Church, we offer a program called the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), which was formerly known as RCIA. This will be a place to ask questions, receive teaching, engage in fellowship and grow in your faith. It is open to anyone who is looking for Adult Catholic Faith Enrichment.  If you have any questions, email Jordan Tippett at jordan.tippett@archbalt.org.