Faith Formation
Faith is a gift from God, one that involves God's invitation to relationship and our response to that invitation. At Holy Innocents Parish we offer a variety of opportunities for people designed to enable them to fully understand and embrace the nature of their relationship with God and their role in the Church. It is only through our being formed and informed in our Faith that we can be transformed by our relationship with God.
Grade School Students
Holy Innocents Catholic School
Holy Innocents School for students Pre-K through 8 is staffed by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and a dedicated lay faculty. The primary purpose is to form the children in our Catholic Faith and instill in them Christian values. For more information, visit www.holyinnocentsschool.org.
PREP (formerly CCD)
PREP is the Parish Religious Education Program for children attending non-Catholic schools. Baptized children from grade two and up who are in their second consecutive year of PREP classes may receive First Penance and First Communion. First Penance is celebrated during the winter and First Communion is celebrated in the spring. Children from grade six and up and who are at least in their second consecutive year of classes for Confirmation Preparation may receive Confirmation. Confirmation is celebrated in the spring.
For the 2024-2025 year, classes for students in grades 1 to 8 will be held in the Holy Innocents School building every Thursday evening from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM. Classes begin on Thursday, September 12, 2024. All students (new and returning) need to register before classes begin.
For more information, please contact Charles Matamoros at 215-743-6158 or dre@holyinnocentsrc.org.
Liturgy of the Word for Children
This is offered for children in Pre-K through 3rd grades during the 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM Masses from September through May. Children are led from the Church after the Opening Prayer for their own Liturgy of the Word and instruction. They return to the Church for the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
Youth Ministry
The Holy Innocents Youth Group is for teenagers ages 13-18 who are interested in learning more about their Catholic faith while having fun along the way. The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month from 7-8:30pm in the Parish Hall. Our youth group meetings are made up of faith based activities, socialization opportunities, and service projects. The youth group also participates in parish activities, and organizes trips to deepen their faith and strengthen personal connections. This group is inclusive of the youth at St. Joan of Arc. Upcoming events can be found in the church bulletin. For more information, please contact Natalie Rivera at holyinnyya@gmail.com.
Young Adult Ministry
The Holy Innocents Young Adult group is for all young adults ages 19-39 who are interested in learning about their faith and connecting with Catholics their age. The group meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:30pm in CDA Hall (The Beacon House) at 4215 Glendale Street, across from the rectory. The young adult meetings include faith based activities, socialization opportunities, and service projects. In addition to meetings, the Young Adult group also participates in parish activities and trips to deepen their faith and strengthen personal connections. This group is inclusive of the young adults at St. Joan of Arc. Upcoming events can be found in the church bulletin. For more information, please contact Natalie Rivera at holyinnyya@gmail.com.
Adults
Through the year, Holy Innocents Parish sponsors various programs to assist adults develop and strengthen their faith. These programs include Bible Classes, Retreats, and Evenings of Reflection. Please consult the Sunday Bulletin for scheduled programs.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) (formerly RCIA)
The OCIA is the process for persons desiring to become full members of the Catholic Church. These include those who have never been baptized, those who have been baptized in another Christian tradition, and those who were baptized Catholic, but have not received Eucharist and/or Confirmation. The process includes instruction in the teachings of the Catholic Church, reflection on the message of Jesus in the Gospel and participation in Sunday liturgy. OCIA classes are held on Wednesday nights at 7:00 PM in English and Spanish. Classes begin on October 2, 2024. Adult initiation usually takes place during the Easter Vigil. For more information, please contact Sister Rosemary DePaul at 215-743-2600 or pastoralminister@holyinnocentsrc.org.