youth formation

programs for grades Pre-K through 12

At St. Patrick Catholic Parish, we partner with families to help children of all ages encounter God’s love and and discover their place within the life and mission of the Church. Our faith formation opportunities for each developmental level fall within one of two models: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Youth Ministry. Additionally, we offer Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation.

what we offer:

Our youth ministry programs, Ignite (grades 4-6) and Young Church (grades 7-12)— help older children and teens take greater ownership of their faith by providing a community of other young believers and adult mentors who accompany them in growing as disciples of Jesus Christ.

ignite & young Church

Sacramental
Preparation

We offer Sacramental Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Communion (2nd grade) and Confirmation (7th grade and older). Youth OCIA is also available for any children over the age of 6 who have not been baptized, and/or children older than 3rd grade who have not yet received First Communion.

Catechesis of the
good shepherd

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd promotes understanding of Liturgy, Sacraments, Sacred Scripture, and morality, while seeking to foster a relationship with God that is expressed through prayer and action. CGS is offered at 3 levels spanning PreK through 6th grade.

2026-27 Youth formation opportunities

All Programs for the 2026 school year and listed below in order of grade levels:

pre-k - 3rd grade

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) is a Montessori based catechetical program which aligns closely with our parish vision for faith formation. Classes focus on fostering a deep and personal relationship with God through hands-on, sensory-rich materials that draw heavily from scripture and liturgy. Central to this approach is the Atrium, a sacred space prepared for the children. A place of beauty, the atrium is designed for being with and enjoying God, listening to God’s Word, and praying
While firmly in communion with the worship and sacramental life of our parish family, The Word of Life independent formation program allows families to weave faith into their family's everyday lives. This online study option provides flexibility for schedules while also offering an opportunity for the entire family to engage in sharing and strengthening their faith through the expansive digital library of the Augustine institute.
All children in second grade, will register for sacramental preparation, in addition to CGS and/or Independent study, for the Sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Communion.

*Our sacramental preparation uses CGS as the primary source of instruction. CGS requires 4 Saturday morning meditations (1 hour) for parents and children. In the spring, we will have a First Reconciliation Service and a First Communion retreat.

cgs calendar

learn more about CGS

sacramental prep calendar

4th - 6th grade

Level III of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd focuses on the child’s understanding of the “Plan of God” and their role in it. It dives deeper into Salvation History, emphasizing God’s generosity and the responsibilities that accompany His gifts. Level III builds upon previous levels by providing a more extensive exploration of the Old Testament, including key moments and figures in the history of Israel. This level explores the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament, highlighting figures and events that foreshadow Jesus. Also in Level III, the children identify the parts of the Mass, all the prayers and propers. The 9-12 year old child takes a greater leadership role in the atrium, planning prayer and managing their progress through their works.
While firmly in communion with the worship and sacramental life of our parish family, The Word of Life independent formation program allows families to weave faith into their family's everyday lives. This online study option provides flexibility for schedules while also offering an opportunity for the entire family to engage in sharing and strengthening their faith through the expansive digital library of the Augustine institute.
Ignite is our youth group for grades 4-6 . We meet on Sundays from 3:00-4:30 PM in the Parish Life Center. Ignite is designed to help 4th-6th graders encounter Jesus and grow in relationship with Him while growing in friendship with one another. Activities include snacks, games, faith-based activities, worship, short teachings, and small group discussion.

cgs level iii calendar

Ignite Calendar

7th - 12th grade

As we seek to foster a culture of intentionality around the Sacrament and honor each person’s spiritual journey, our Confirmation preparation is open to any youth in grades 7 through 12.

At St. Patrick, our approach to Confirmation Preparationis rooted in the knowledge that the Sacrament of Confirmation imparts the grace of Pentecost to every individual who receives it (CCC 1302). Since we know that the Apostles who received the Holy Spirit went on to proclaim the Good News throughout the world, we believe that Confirmation preparation should aim to form our youth into Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus Christ who are ready to follow in those footsteps! Therefore, our preparation model consists of opportunities to encounter God’s love in new ways and develop habits of discipleship in the company of peers and adult mentors.
Young Church is our youth group for grades 7-12. We meet on Sundays from 6:00-8:00 PM in the Parish Life Center. Our mission at Young Church is to invite teens into personal relationship with Jesus Christ and provide a community where they can grow as His disciples. We begin the night with middle school and high school youth in the same room for food, social time, games, and praise and worship. After worship, grades 7-8 and 9-12 divide into separate rooms for the teaching and small group time.