Click here to register for 2025-26 school year.

Dear Parents,  

Faith Formation and YM3 are back! Faith Formation classes (1st – 7th grade) and YM3 (Confirmed 8th graders – 12 grade) will be on Sundays at St. Charles from 12:30-2:15 p.m. starting AUGUST 24th.  Please see attached tentative schedule. Registration fees this year are $50/student for all students 1st – 12th grade. Registration fees can be paid the first day of class or they can be dropped off in the parish  office. If you have any questions regarding the registration fees, please let me know.  

Pre-K Sunday School will be available at St. Charles during the 11 a.m. Mass starting (starting  SEPTEMBER 7th)! All children 18 months – 5 years old are welcome to attend. The children listen to  each week’s Gospel and learn how to live the Gospel’s message at their level. They participate in  interactive games and crafts that go along with each week’s Gospel message. 

We are continuing our Fun Fridays this year. Join us for dinner and a fun activity (chosen by the kids).  Our first Fun Friday will be Friday, October 24th at Greenville High School for a tailgate party prior to  the game. Join us for pizza before the game and then help us cheer on our team for their final game of  the year! 

Second Grade/First Communion Parents:  

Attention all 2nd graders this is your year! First communion classes will be starting the same time as  our Faith Formation classes. If your child is in second grade (or older) and has been baptized in the  Catholic faith, please sign up today. Our first communion classes are a two-part program from Saint Mary’s Press called “Go Seek Find”. Instead of using a traditional textbook or workbook, children  interact with and explore The Catholic Children’s Bible, seeing how Scripture relates to the themes  they are learning about—in a way they can understand. 

During the first semester the children learn all about reconciliation and make their first reconciliation  in December. During the second semester the children focus on the Eucharist and will make their First  Communion in the Spring of 2026. Students are required to have 75% class attendance.  

Seventh Grade/Confirmation Parents:  

Attention all 7th graders, this is your year! Confirmation classes will be starting the same time as our  Faith Formation classes. Our confirmation program is a one-year program (Chosen from Ascension  Press) with the candidates being confirmed in the Spring of 2026. Chosen is a wonderful program that  provides an exciting and comprehensive exploration of the Catholic Faith, offering a complete system  of catechesis and evangelization. Confirmation students are required to have 75% class attendance.  

Sacramental Preparation Classes 

If you have a child who has reached the age of reason (age 7) and has not received the sacraments of  Baptism, Reconciliation or First Holy Communion, we have a beautiful process they can participate in  this year to come into the Church. The sessions take place on Sundays 12:30 p.m. -2:15 p.m. in the  Faith Formation Center. It is a “family style” learning process very similar to our Adult OCIA program  that incorporates sponsors with their classes. Each session has mentor students that join the students on their journey of faith. We use a program called Journey of Faith for Children from Liguori Publications  where the children learn by asking questions and doing. Contact Tessa today for more information.  

YM3 IS the place to BE! 

Any and all 9th – 12th graders (confirmed 8th graders too) in invited to join us for our High School  Youth Ministry Program – YM3. We meet the same time as Faith Formation on Sundays 12:30-2:15  p.m. This year we will be focusing on the Gospels and diving deeper into our faith. We will be  participating in the Michigan and National Marches for Life, many community events and  opportunities to serve and Steubenville Youth Conference.  

Instrumentalists wanted! 

If you have a child who plays a musical instrument, we’d love to have them play at Christmas Eve and  Easter Masses. Rehearsals will start mid-October. Please let me know if you are interested. 

We are currently in need of a catechist for 3rd-6th grade. The curriculum is based off each weeks  Gospel. It comes complete with lesson plans and lots of support! We’d love to have you join our team.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at (517) 204-8785. 

In Christ, 

Tessa Hoffman 

Coordinator of Religious Education/Youth Minister 

St. Charles and St. Joseph-St. Mary  

thoffman@saintscjm.com 

(517) 204-8785  

Important Dates to Remember   FIRST DAY OF CLASSES (Faith Formation & YM3) – Sunday, August 24th 12:30 – 2:15 p.m. First day of Sunday School – Sunday, September 7th during the 11 a.m. Mass First FUN FRIDAY – Friday, October 24th at Greenville High School at 5:30 p.m. Pumpkin Rosary and Trunk or Treat – October 28, 2025, at St. Charles #GivingTuesday – Tuesday, December 2nd  March for Life Trip in Washington DC – January 21 – 25, 2026 (Tentative) YM3 Fish Fry Fundraiser at St. Joseph – February 20th & 27th and March 6th MINISTRY MARCH MADNESS FUNDRAISER – March 1st – March 29TH (SUNDAYS ONLY) LAST DAY OF CLASSES – April 19, 2026 (Tentative)  St. Charles First Communion – April 26, 2026 (Tentative)  St. Joseph First Communion – May 2, 2026 (Tentative)   St. Mary First Communion – May 3, 2026 (Tentative)   May Crowning – May 10th All worship sites.  Steubenville for YM3 – June 2026 (Tentative)

If you prefer you can scan the QR code and register online. 

General Faith Formation Information

Preparation for and celebration of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist take place in the second grade. Confirmation is celebrated every spring with the seventh grade students. Students are expected to attend yearly catechesis to prepare themselves for Confirmation and living a life-long faith. 

The elementary religious education program offers a comprehensive and developmental coverage of the basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, and the content is completely correlated to the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church. Volunteers and youth ages 14 and older who would like to share their faith and enjoy being with youth are welcome to help with this ministry as catechists, sacramental preparation teachers (preparing older students who have not yet received the sacraments) or aides.

*Any child 7 years and older that has not been baptized and  would like to receive Sacraments should contact Tessa Hoffman to arrange for RCIA classes. Tessa Hoffman can be reached at 754-4194 ext. 130.

Classes begin in the Fall at St. Charles.

Looking for something to fill your time?

Could you spare 2 hours a week to help our youth?  Please consider sharing your love of your faith with our youth and become a catechist.   If you are interested, please contact Tessa at (616) 794-2145 or thoffman@saintscjm.com.