Baptism Preparation
Purpose: Welcome and assist parents requesting the sacrament of Baptism for their child. Instruct parents and godparents in a deeper understanding of their responsibility for the faith formation of the child and to the church.
Responsibilities: Ability to present instructional sessions, Catechist training provided.
Time Commitment: Two hours per month. First Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Paige Fies, Director of Religious Education, 772-562-5954, E: pfies@sthelenvero.org
CCD
St. Helen Parish Faith Formation
Our Goal
The St. Helen Faith Formation Office seeks to provide to all parishioners the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for their ongoing conversion to Jesus Christ and the Gospel in order to bring about full participation in the life of the Catholic Church. In nurturing all age groups we will foster community among the children, families and the parish community, encouraging all to be good stewards of the gifts God has given them, using these gifts to proclaim, celebrate and serve the Kingdom of God.
Focus: The Office of Faith Formation focuses on the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ and His Church in proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. The Faith Formation Office is responsible for parish-based religious education/catechetical programs. These programs are for all ages – religious education is life-long learning. Catechesis includes sacramental preparation (Baptism, First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation), religious education programs for K-9, middle & senior high, Youth Ministry, and adult faith formation.
Teaching the Four Pillars of Faith
The catechetical ministry of the Catholic Church has been nurtured and renewed in recent years with the publication of three important Church documents: the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the General Directory for Catechesis, and the National Directory for Catechesis. All of these documents remind us that families are the first teachers of their children in the faith, and that we as catechists and catechetical leaders are here to support them in this vital responsibility. It is our privilege to assist you, your child’s primary catechist, with their faith formation.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church provides a systematic presentation of Catholic doctrine rooted in the four pillars of our faith: The Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Morality, Prayer.
Our primary Faith Formation Program uses the Word of Life by the Augustine Institute. The Word of Life Student Text makes learnign the faith effective, engaging, and fun with Bible stories, contemporary children’s stories, lives of saints, and activities for a variety of learning styles.
The text consists of core lessons, as well as four liturgical season lessons. Images used in each chapter range from photographs depicting a real-life situation, contemporary art depicting a Bible narrative, and sacred art that depicts and event in salvation history to draw students into the mysteries of Christ, leading them to understand doctrinal elements of the faith more fully.
Every chapter has a page for parents that provides a brief summary of what the child is learning in class and a variety of ways to live the faith in daily life.
Getting Started
We welcome you to St. Helen Faith Formation! We are happy and privileged to have the opportunity to work with you and your family on your faith journey. Below are links to the materials you will need to both understand the program and integrate it with your own schedule. If you have any questions please call (772-562-5954) or email pfies@sthelenvero.org.
Catechists and Volunteers
Essential to the success of the Religious Education program is having a dedicated group of adult and young adult volunteers willing to help and nurture our faith with our youth. Participants have the opportunity for additional and on-going training and education through the Diocese. Please contact Paige Fies, at 772-562-5954 for more information.
Confirmation Preparation
Purpose: A two year program beginning with students in eighth grade. The Sacrament of Confirmation takes place typically in the spring of ninth grade. The purpose of this preparation is to assist young men and women to come into a deeper understanding of how the Holy Spirit works in their lives, in the life of our church, and how they can interact with the Holy Spirit to lead a life which will draw them into a closer relationship with our Lord Jesus.
Responsibilities: Classroom instruction, retreat day, service projects, and assist with meetings, depending on year of program.
Time Commitment: Depends on level of involvement and year.
Contact: Paige Fies, Director of Religious Education, 772-562-5954, E: pfies@sthelenvero.org
NOTICES
Confirmation Year 1 & 2 Students & Parents
For Students entering 8th grade, (Year 1) you will begin the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. There will be an informative meeting for both parents and students on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 in the Parish Hall at 6 p.m. BOTH public school students & St. Helen School 8th grade students need to plan on attending this meeting. Classes will begin Monday, September 14, 2026 for all students. Please register today on the church website. Click on Sacraments then Confirmation.
Confirmation Year 2
For Students entering 9th grade, (Year Two) and who have completed the Year One preparation process, there is a information meeting on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 in the Parish Hall at 6 p.m. Classes will begin Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
Year Two Confirmation Candidates will choose their Sponsor this year. *A Sponsor must be at least 16 yrs. old, registered and a practicing Catholic who has received all their Sacraments to include Confirmation. A parent cannot be a Sponsor.
Order of Christian Initiation of Adults – OCIA
Are you interested in learning more about the Catholic Faith? God invites each of us into a deeper relationship with Him in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. Whatever led you to this moment, our hope is that you will respond to God’s call.
THE JOURNEY OF FAITH – AN INVITATION THAT NEVER ENDS!
A person’s faith journey always begins with God’s initiation. God’s presence can feel like a knocking door, a curiosity, a sense of wonder, a longing for healing, and inner peace. Mysteriously, faith gradually changes from belief in something to belief in Someone with a desire to know that person even more.
The Church offers the opportunity to become more acquainted with God, the Scriptures, its traditions, and the Christian life, for those who have questions about the Catholic faith. This is the beginning of the process called OCIA.
The OCIA Process at St. Helen begins after Easter each year, with 3 summer introduction sessions. Formal weekly classes then begin the end of August – Easter.
If you have not had an opportunity to register for the program, please complete the OCIA Registration/Information form below and submit or print and bring it to the Parish office. Please include a copy of your baptism if baptized. Once your registration is received, we will contact you to set up an appointment to meet with you to go over the OCIA Process. If you have any questions, please contact Paige Fies, 772-562-5954 or E: pfies@sthelenvero.org
Marriage and OCIA
If you were married in a civil ceremony or previously married in the catholic church, if you are divorced and remarried, your circumstances must be addressed at the beginning the OCIA process with the Pastor or Director of the OCIA.
Please register in the parish by completing the Parish online registration form. PARISH REGISTRATION
MORE ABOUT THE OCIA…
A Journey of Discovery into the Catholic Faith – What is the OCIA Process?
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is a process for bringing into the Catholic Church both those who have never been baptized (Catechumens) and those who were baptized in a non-Catholic Church (Candidates for Full Communion in the Catholic Church). OCIA also includes adult baptized Catholics who have not completed the Sacraments of Initiation – Confirmation and Holy Eucharist and Confirmation.
Unbaptized (catechumen)
Baptized Christian (candidate)
Baptized Catholic without First Eucharist and Penance (baptized Catholic)
Baptized Catholic that already DID receive baptism, penance, First Eucharist but
NOT Confirmation (Confirmandi)
* VIDEO* Journey of Faith, Formed.org
Do you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic? Or a Catholic that is need of Sacraments? OR an older child who has not yet received sacraments?
(we have a separate program for children)
Invite them to find out more about our OCIA Process here at St. Helen. Our adult classes are held on Monday evenings from 6-7:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Children above 2nd gr. without Sacraments, classes are on Sunday mornings 10-11:30 am. You may register at the Religious Education office for both. Call us today at 772-562-5954
OCIA REGISTRATION FORM
SPONSOR FORM
Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC)
Summary: This class is designed for the child above second grade level who has not yet received Sacraments: Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist. In addition to his or her Sacramental preparation, students are given a foundational catechesis that will assist parents in the task of instructing their children in the beliefs, values and practices of the Catholic faith. Children are taught the importance of being a follower of Jesus along with the key concepts of God, the Commandments, the Sacraments, the Works of Mercy, the Blessed Mother, the Saints, Catholic prayers and the church in a manner appropriate to their level of understanding.
Responsibilities: Instruct children, Catechist Certification (training provided), Diocesan Protecting God’s Children Certification.
Time Commitment: Two hours per week on Sunday mornings 8:30 a.m.-10:00 a.m., September – November and January – April. Additional time for rehearsals for receiving the sacraments.
Contact: Paige Fies, Director of Religious Education, 772-562-5954, E: pfies@sthelenvero.org
Marriage Preparation Class
Summary: The Marriage Preparation Class allows couples contemplating marriage an opportunity, in a relaxed atmosphere, to reflect on individual personalities, in response to topics such as the sacrament of matrimony, communication, finances, spirituality, intimacy, and dreams and goals.
Responsibilities: A desire to help young couples develop a strong Christian foundation for marriage, through personal presentations and lecture.
Time Commitment: Two times per year on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Contact: Paul and Patti Burgener, E: marriageandfamily@sthelenvero.org, or the Parish office 772-567-5129
Diocesan School of Christian Formation
Diocese of Palm Beach
School of Christian Formation
Diocesan Adult School of Christian Formation! –The Diocesan School of Christian Formation is a great way to deepen your knowledge and understanding of our faith, and to be certified, if you wish, as a Catechist! As Catholics, we are all called to jump into being able to explain why we believe in teachings that go against the very culture in which we live. We are a people who believe in Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God’s will for creation, and we believe that the answers we need to bring our wayward and evil culture back to God are found in the study of our faith and in prayer.
“To do their part, adult Catholics must be mature in faith and well-equipped to share the Gospel, promoting it in every family circle, in every church gathering, in every place of work, and in every public forum.”
Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us: A Pastoral Plan for Adult Faith Formation in the United States, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 1999
Cost for the class is $10, cost for the book is usually $10 to $20, registration on the first night of class. If you love your faith, come get to know it better!
Purpose:
- To nourish and challenge Catholics to grow into a deeper understanding of their True Faith.
- To enable participants to bring this enrichment to their families, friends, places of work, and ministry.
- To explore this rich Catholic tradition from our local context as a diverse Church with members of different cultural backgrounds and with varying ministerial needs.
- To situate our experience of Faith, Church, and Ministry in the teachings of Vatican II and the person of Jesus Christ.
Talents Needed: Interest in learning and experiencing the Catholic faith more deeply and widely. We study 12 different areas including History, Scriptures, Sacraments, Liturgy, Ministry, and others. If interested in assisting with instruction we would be glad to review your qualifications.
Time Commitment: Two hours of class time per week for 6 weeks, plus home preparation time, for each course. There are a total of four courses offered during each annual cycle.
When: Monday evenings 7:00-9:00 p.m. Classes begin in August for a six-week stretch, then in October, again 6 weeks; then in January, six weeks, and finally in March, six weeks.
Contacts: Carolyn Dean, phone# 772-567-0682, e-mail: jcdean1010@earthlink.net
Don Bosco Summer Camp
REGISTER NOW!
Purpose: Summer camp experience that includes a spirit of faith, family, and fun for children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. We are proud to offer an experience, named after the patron saint of young people, St. John Bosco, where kids can feel welcomed, make friends, and grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith. Don Bosco knew that the most valuable and vulnerable portion of society is its young people. It is our goal to provide a safe environment which will include activities such as sports, dancing, arts and crafts, board games, field trips, swimming, faith formation, Mass, Confession, adoration, Rosary, and much more.
Responsibility: Volunteers/assistants will need to have a love for God, the Catholic Faith and the young, and working with kids in a manner that is creative, collaborative, enthusiastic, and able to evangelize children in the faith. Training and background screening required and provided. See page 13 for “Protecting God’s Children” certification.
Contact: Lupe Alcala-Garcia, Director of Youth Minstry, 772-494-9837, ggarcia@sthelenvero.org
