We seek to help children and their families know and love our Lord JESUS Christ while learning about and growing in our CATHOLIC FAITH. Through our time together, our hope is that all children will come to know their true identities as BELOVED children of God while we share and explore the Good News of the Gospel. At the heart of our mission is our Lord Jesus Christ and the hope for our children and their families grow in intimate and authentic relationship with Him.
We seek to create the foundation for lifelong faith formation in partnership with our parents by encouraging active participation in our Catholic faith at home, in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church and in our St. Lawrence Martyr community.
Our faith formation sessions are intended for children in grades first through fifth not attending Catholic schools. It also includes the two-year required sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation. This preparation usually occurs during a child’s first and second grades but is open to all baptized children up to 4th Grade. (For children in 5th Grade and above, please see our RCIA for Children and Teens tab). Sacramental preparation in enriched through parent participation in our monthly Family of Faith sessions.
Schedule and Format for 2022-2023
We offer weekday session for children in Grades First through Fifth not attending a Catholic school. In addition to weekday sessions, we gather monthly for Sunday sessions. Sessions for children in Year 1 and Year 2 (First Communion preparation) are offered on either Tuesdays or on Zoom on Wednesdays. Post Communion sessions for children in Grades Three to Five are offered on Mondays. We begin the first week of October.
SUNDAY SESSIONS for POST-COMMUNION: We are excited to continue our monthly in-person Sunday gatherings- giving us the opportunity to grow, share and come together as a faith community outside a classroom setting.
FAMILY SESSIONS for CHILDREN PREPARING FOR FIRST COMMUNION: First Communion preparation for children in Year 1 and Year 2 requires parent attendance of our Family of Faith sessions once a month from October through April. Family of Faith sessions are held on Sunday after the 9:00 am Mass. Our first session will be OCTOBER 2, 2022.
Year 1 & Year 2 OPTION OF SESSIONS ON ZOOM: Our experience during the pandemic showed that virtual learning held benefits for certain children and their learning styles along with flexibility it offered for some family schedules. In following, virtual sessions on Zoom will be offered on Wednesday afternoons for our Year 1 and Year 2 children preparing for First Communion. Zoom sessions will meet for 45 minute and are supplemented with in-person family gatherings once a month on Sunday morning following our 9:00 am Mass. We affirm that gathering in community is important to sharing and growing in our Catholic faith.
Parent Support & Enrichment: In support of our parents, we offer small group faith enrichment and prayer groups for our parents. We also offer occasional Parent Education Sessions to help support and guide our parents in their roles as the primary educators of their children. We affirm that parents are the first and most important witnesses of the faith and builders of a child’s faith. We are here to partner with them.
Family Formation at Home: We also affirm that our Catholic faith is nurtured most deeply in the home and we invite our families to supplement your child's faith formation at St. Lawrence Martyr with at home family faith sharing activities and assignments. If our schedule does not fit your child's schedule, please contact us if you may be interested in online lessons done at home according to your schedule.
Detailed calendars may be found under the CALENDAR tab.
First Holy Communion Formation
Our faith formation sessions for children include the two-year preparation required by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. This preparation usually begins in a chuild's first grade year but is open to any baptized child in first to fourth Grade. Reception of the sacraments occur in the spring of the second year. (If your child is in fifth grade and above, please see the RCIA for Children and Teens under our Faith Formation tab.)
WEEKDAY SESSIONS for CHILDREN: Sessions for children in Year 1 and Year 2 (includes First Communion preparation) are offered on either Tuesdays in-person or Wednesdays on Zoom.
FAMILY of FAITH SUNDAY SESSIONS: First Communion preparation for children in Year 1 and Year 2 requires parent attendance of our Family of Faith sessions once a month from October through April. Family of Faith sessions are held on Sunday after the 9:00 am Mass. Our first session will be OCTOBER 2, 2022.
First Holy Communion 2023
First Holy Communions will be in May 2023. More detailed information will be sent to parents of children enrolled in Year 2.
FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION RETREATS: Children receiving their sacraments in 2023 must attend a First Reconciliation Retreat in March and a First Holy Communion retreat in April. At least one parent is required to attend with the child.
Registration Form for 2022-2023:
Click here to register
Required Registration Items:
Registration Fee for 2022-2023
1 child – $100 / year
2 children – $175 / year
3+ children – $225 family max
Fee includes all child sessions, curriculum material, supplies and family sessions
Click below for 2022-2023 Calendars
First Communion: Year 1
Year 1: Tuesdays | In-person
Year 1: Wednesdays | Zoom
First Communion: Year 2
Year 2: Tuesdays | In-person
Year 2: Wednesdays | Zoom
Post Communion: Grades 3 to 5
Gr 3-5:Mondays | Hybrid
If you have any questions regarding Faith Formation for children in Grades 1st – 5th or the Sacrament of First Holy Communion for your child, please contact:
Susan Mills
Office of Religious Education
Direct Number: 310.316.4460
Email Address : [email protected]