Children's Faith Formation
Children's Faith Formation
Sacred Heart offers faith formation classes for students in grades 1-8 who attend public or other non-Catholic schools which include the preparation necessary to receive the sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Mission
The Sacred Heart Faith Formation program strives to support parents in handing on the Catholic and Apostolic Faith to their children by offering a systematic presentation of the Faith in union with and in fidelity to the Holy Roman Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ.
Registration Information
We are pleased to offer online registration for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please be sure to read through the handbook before registering. Payment must be made by debit or credit card at the time of registration.
Register online here for 2024-2025 Faith Formation at Sacred Heart.
Download the 2024-2025 Faith Formation calendar here.
Class Time & Location
Classes are held in the Parish Center:
Mondays from 4:45 - 6:00 pm: Grades 1-6
Mondays from 6:30 - 7:45 pm: Grades 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8
Space is limited in each class so be sure to register early to get your first choice!
Online Homeschool Option
An online homeschool option for students in grades 1-8 is available. The courses are asynchronous/self-paced with a quiz for each lesson and a test following each unit. Click here to preview My Catholic Faith Delivered. Please be sure to read through the online homeschool handbook before registering. Have questions? Check out our FAQ page.
Register online here for 2024-2025 Online Homeschool Faith Formation.
Homeschooling
Sacred Heart Parish respects parents' right to homeschool their children. Parents that are interested in homeschooling their children for Faith Formation should notify the Faith Formation Office and maintain contact with the Director of Faith Formation regarding diocesan policies and guidelines, especially those pertaining to sacramental preparation.
Volunteers
Do you love your Catholic faith? Are you able to work with children? Are you willing to dedicate a few hours each week to their faith formation? If so, please prayerfully consider becoming a faith formation catechist, co-catechist, classroom aide or hall monitor.
All Faith Formation volunteers must be or become compliant with the Diocese of Arlington Child Protection Policy, to include a background check and Virtus seminar.
For more information, please contact Nicole Filipowski, Director of Faith Formation, online
here, or Brenda Cunningham, Faith Formation Administrative Assistant, online
here, or call the Faith Formation Office at 703-590-0256.
Baptism
Infant Baptism
For children under the age of seven, parents must attend a baptism class prior to their child receiving the sacrament. Classes are offered the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm. To register for a baptism class, or for more information regarding infant baptism, please contact the Parish Office at 703-590-0030. Baptisms are normally scheduled for Sunday afternoons following the 11:00 am Mass.
Child Baptism
Anyone seven years old and older must receive instruction in the Catholic Faith prior to receiving baptism. To receive this instruction, children must be enrolled in parish faith formation classes. Please contact Nicole Filipowski, Director of Faith Formation, online here or at 703-590-0256 to determine the appropriate class for you or your child. Parents must also attend a baptism class prior to their child receiving the sacrament.
Adults who would like to prepare to receive baptism should contact the Director of Faith Formation about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Click here for more information.
First Holy Communion
Students customarily receive their First Holy Communion in May of their second grade year, upon the completion of a special two-year program which begins in the fall of their first grade year. The program also prepares them to make their First Confession prior to their First Holy Communion.
For children and teens in grades three and above in need of First Holy Communion, please contact Nicole Filipowski, Director of Faith Formation, online here or at 703-590-0256 to determine the appropriate class for you or your child.
Adults who would like to prepare to receive their First Holy Communion should contact the Director of Faith Formation about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Click here for more information.
Important Dates for First Communion 2025
First Penance Parent Meeting
Tuesday, January 21 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall
First Penance
Saturday, February 8 at 10:30 am in the Church
First Communion Parent Meeting
Tuesday, February 18 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall
First Communion Retreat
Saturday, May 3 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
First Communion Mass
Saturday, May 10 at 11:00 am in the Church
reception to follow in the Parish Hall
Confirmation
Students customarily receive the sacrament of confirmation during their eighth grade year in the Diocese of Arlington, upon the completion of a special two-year program of formation. Confirmation of students in our parish is normally celebrated in the spring at Sacred Heart Church by the Bishop of Arlington, or by another bishop designated by the diocese.
For teens in grades nine and above in need of Confirmation, please contact Nicole Filipowski, Director of Faith Formation, online here or at 703-590-0256 to determine the appropriate class for you or your child.
Adults who are in need of the sacrament of confirmation should contact the Director of Faith Formation about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Click here for more information.
Important Dates for Confirmation 2025
Second Year Students
Confirmation Retreat
Monday, October 7, 2024 from 4:00 - 9:00 pm in the Parish Hall
Saint Report Due
Monday, November 25, 2024
Reflection Essay on Prayer Due
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Confirmation Interviews
March 11-13, 2025 from 4:00 - 6:30 pm
Confirmation Rehearsal
Monday, March 31, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Confirmation Mass
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 7:00 pm in the Church
reception to follow in the Parish Hall
Important Dates for Confirmation 2026
First Year Students
Parent Meeting
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall
Confirmation Retreat
Monday, October 7, 2024 from 4:00 - 9:00 pm in the Parish Hall
Sponsor Form Due
Friday, January 31, 2025
Saint Report Due
March 11-13, 2025 from 4:00 - 6:30 pm
Confirmation Rehearsal
Monday, November 24, 2025
SPRED
Special Religious Development (SPRED) is a program in which persons who are developmentally disabled come together as a small faith community which fosters spiritual and personal growth by helping participants discover God’s action and presence in their lives.
Sacred Heart offers SPRED sessions for youth ages 6 – 21. The group meets on the first and third Saturdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm approximately 12 times per year from September through April.
Registration Information
We are pleased to offer online registration for the 2024 - 2025 academic year. Payment must be made by debit or credit card at the time of registration. Note: We are unable to accommodate students from other parishes at this time.
Register online here for 2024 - 2025 Faith Formation: SPRED at Sacred Heart.
For more information, please call the Faith Formation Office at 703-590-0256.