“Faith lifts the soul. Hope supports it. Experience says it must. And love says let it be!”-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a program for adults and high school teenagers who:

• Have not been baptized and are seeking to follow Jesus Christ and receive the Sacraments of His Holy Roman Catholic Church.

• Are baptized Christians seeking to be received into full communion in the Catholic Church

• Are baptized Catholics who, for whatever reason, missed the fullness of the Sacramental life and still need to receive Confession, First Communion, and Confirmation.

• If you are Catholic and married outside of the Church, God wants to raise your civil union to the supernatural level of the Sacrament of Matrimony so that you can love as God loves.

• They are full members of the Catholic Church who want to learn more about the exhaustive treasure of the faith.

The OCIA is the roadmap for the spiritual journey, a gradual process that varies according to the many forms of God’s grace, the free cooperation of the individual, the actions of the church, and the circumstances of time and place (OCIA #5). OCIA classes begin in the fall of each year and conclude after the Easter Vigil Mass in the spring.

If you are an adult Catholic in need of the Sacraments or a non-Catholic interested in learning more about the Catholic faith, don't hesitate to get in touch with the parish office at (401) 884-4968 or send an email to Father Joseph Brodeur at assocpastor@olmparish.org

First Communion and Confirmation for Children & Young Adults

The Holy Family foreshadowed and anticipated what the Second Vatican Council calls “the domestic church”(Second Vatican Council, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church [Lumen Gentium], Each Christian family, exemplified in the Holy Family, is to be a microcosm of the larger Church.

As the larger Church is a communion of persons, so the family is a small communion of persons. The family receives its life from the larger Body of Christ, the Church, and so comes to mirror the life of this larger Church.

Pope John Paul II stated in his apostolic exhortation On the Family (Familiaris Consortio), “The Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion, and for this reason . . . it can and should be called ‘the domestic Church’” (no. 21).

As Joseph and Mary were the first to proclaim to Jesus the living faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so Christian fathers and mothers are the first to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to their children. They not only present their child for Baptism, but they also promise within the Rite of Baptism to raise their child in accordance with the Gospel and the teachings of the Church. The Second Vatican Council states that parents,

Thus, as the Church is to evangelize all nations, Catholic parents are to evangelize their children by fostering the domestic Church within their own families. They do this in a number of ways, always in keeping with their children's age.

When your children were baptized, you promised to bring them up in the Catholic faith. I’m sure many of you think that bringing your child to faith formation classes fulfills your obligation. In part, it does. The real center of our faith, however, is the Eucharist.

If you do not feel the need to attend Mass because you are “fulfilling” your religious duty by bringing your children to Faith Formation Class.  Please understand that Faith Formation Classes are only an introduction to a relationship with God and His Church.

We all have our priorities. Children should be offered every opportunity during their formative years – the religious formation of children is the most valuable gift they can receive, and that means celebrating the Eucharist together as a Parish at Sunday Mass, as well as ensuring their participation in religious education classes.

Connection to God through parish worship offers support and hope. It will make a difference in what kind of person your child becomes. Yes, we want our children to be successful. However, more than that, we want them to be happy, virtuous, and loving, with good people to stand by them. We want them to rely upon God when times get tough, as times do for all of us.

In just a few hours during the year, Faith Formation classes cannot provide your children with a relationship with God. Only faith formation at home, family prayer and devotions, weekly attendance at Mass, and involvement in the life and ministries of the parish can truly help deepen that relationship.  For more information about the Faith Formation Program at Our Lady of Mercy, contact Mr. Jeremey Long, OLM Faith Formation Director, at 401-884-4968 or by email at faithformation@olmparish.org

All parish children who do not attend a Catholic school are offered the opportunity to attend our Faith Formation Program. We believe parents remain the foremost educators in their children’s faith formation. We strive to encourage a collaborative effort and facilitate a welcoming environment that encourages a lifelong commitment to our faith and the Church. Sunday Mass attendance is mandatory for all students at every grade level.

First Communion for Children

First Holy Communion is a two-year program that includes 1st and 2nd Grade formation classes. The First Communion Mass is celebrated in the spring of 2nd Grade, following First Penance, which occurs during the Season of Lent in the second year of the program. It is scheduled for the Saturday before Mother’s Day. The celebration includes the May Crowning Mass for the First Communion Class on Mother’s Day at the 10:30 am Sunday Mass. First Confession is normally scheduled before First Communion during the Lenten Season.

The Faith Formation Program for 1st Graders is for those OLM parishioners whose children are not enrolled in the parish school or at a Catholic School. The program for the 2nd includes all public, parish, private, and parochial students. We believe that understanding the Sacrament of the Eucharist is essential for every child in the parish. Therefore, Catholic and OLM School students who intend to receive First Communion at OLM must be enrolled and attend the Faith Formation Program in the 2nd Grade. Those OLM School students who are not registered parishiones of OLM Parish must obtain a letter of permission from their proper pastor.

Our First Communion Faith Formation Program strives to introduce students to the living faith of the Church, with the Eucharist as its source and summit. In addition, students are introduced to the basic concepts of the faith: Mass, Prayer, Penance, Sin, Forgiveness, Mercy, Worship of God, the Ten Commandments, and the teaching of the prayers of the Catholic Faith.

Confirmation for Young Adults

The Faith Formation Program for the Sacrament of Confirmation is a one-year program for 8th-graders. All public, parish, private, and parochial students must attend Faith Formation classes. OLM School students who are not registered parishioners of OLM must obtain a letter of permission from their proper pastor to enroll in the OLM Faith Formation Program. The Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated in the fall of the 9th Grade. All public, private, and parochial students entering Grade 8 must attend the Faith Formation Program Classes in order to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.  

Our Confirmation Faith Formation Program strives to offer the students a solid review of the basic tenets of our faith, participation in spiritual experiences such as the Rosary, Benediction, Adoration, and Stations of the Cross, Lenten Mission, Holy Week, and preparation for the reception of the Sacrament which is received in the Fall of the 9th grade. There is a mandatory retreat annually. There are opportunities for community service through volunteering.

Family Faith Formation

Family Formation Family Classes are mandatory for parents of students in the First Communion and Confirmation Program. Those parents without a child in the First Communion or Confirmation Program are allowed to participate, along with their children. These classes will feature a family learning event on various faith-related topics. This program is designed to enable both parents and children to deepen their understanding and knowledge of the Catholic Faith and the Sacraments.

Additionally, there is an OLM Family Group that supports families in their Catholic Faith through various spiritual and social events.

2025-2026 Faith Formation Program

This year’s Faith Formation program will focus on the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation while also offering classes for adult and parent formation. Students in Grade One, Grade Two, and Grade Eight will have classes once a month, at the dates and times listed on their respective program schedules. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer to be one of our catechists, please email Mr. Jeremy Long, OLM Faith Formation Director, at FaithFormation@olmparish.org

25/26 Registration Fee: $50 per child

**Returning Families will receive an email from Parish Giving on August 14, 2025- do not set up a new account

25/26 Grades 1 & 2 Schedule

2025 Confirmation Schedule

25/26 Confirmation Schedule

Volunteers:

• Safe Environment Training Link

• Save Environment Sign-in Form (Please return to the Parish office with your name, position, and signature)

• BCI Form (Please fill out the form and submit it with a photocopy of your license (back and front) to the Parish office)

The BCI form must be notarized. You may have this done at the Parish Office.

Contact Information

Mr. Jeremy Long
Faith Formation Director

FaithFormation@olmparish.org or 401-884-4968

.