Religious Education

Click on Ministry links below for more information and current schedules.
 

 
Ministry Description Contact Meetings
Adopt-A-Student Offers parishioners an opportunity to help financially sponsor students in St. Cecilia School.  This is a combined effort on the part of our Pastor and parishioners to affirm the value of Catholic education.  It is a personal and practical opportunity to share spiritual and material gifts with others, to express gratitude to God for His blessings, and to receive His grace for being an instrument of His love and truth today. Kim Calkins, 503-644-2619 x78  
Adult Education Program A variety of offerings throughout the year, giving adults the opportunity to learn, pray and share their faith with one another. Carole Christensen, 503-644-2619 x74  
Baptism

Baptism is the most important gift we can give our children.  It gives them a "new life" in water and the Spirit and affirms them as members of the parish community.

We offer Baptismal classes for parents with a child to be baptized.  This provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to review the sacrament and to receive support in living the Catholic faith within their family.

Registration required.

Carole Christensen, 503-644-2619 x74  
Bible Study / Small Faith Groups Small Faith Groups provide scripture, book and video studies in an atmosphere of fellowship. Carole Christensen, 503-644-2619 x74 Monday-Friday, various times each day
Catechumenate / RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) Instruction, prayer, and fellowship that assists adults and high school youth in the discernment process of joining the Catholic Church.  A faith-filled team joins the participants in understanding the traditions, doctrines, and observances of Catholicism through Sunday Liturgies and Rites, instruction, small and large group discussion, field trips, outreach, prayer, and social events.

Registration required.

Godparents/Sponsors are an important part of the faith journey of the adults in the RCIA.  If you are an active, confirmed Catholic, you are invited to help those seeking to join the church by being a sponsor.

Carole Christensen, 503-644-2619 x74 Tuesday, 7:00 PM, beginning early each year and continuing through Easter
Catechumenate / RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children) Designed for children over nine years of age who have not been baptized in the Catholic Church.  Instruction includes a variety of experiences that encourage children in their understanding of the faith and give them a deeper awareness of Jesus in their lives.  Parents must attend with their children.

Registration required.

Carole Christensen, 503-644-2619 x74 Tuesday, 7:00 PM, Sept-April
Children's Liturgy Of The Word Meets year round during the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass.  Children process to the Parish Center for the Liturgy of the Word.  The Reading, Response, Gospel, Reflections, Creed, and Prayers of the Faithful are proclaimed and celebrated in vocabulary and language that the children can understand and fully participate in. Vicki Giampietro, Coordinator, 503-524-3343 During the Liturgy of the Word at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
Confirmation Preparation (Adult) For active Catholics over the age of 18 who have not received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Carole Christensen, 503-644-2619 x74 Eight weekly meetings, in spring
Confirmation Preparation (High School)

Our Confirmation program is for those who are in their sophomore year of high school.  Students meet twice a month on either Tuesdays or Thursdays. We understand that those who attend Catholic school are receiving catechesis through their religion classes and because students may be at different levels of understanding of the faith, we have separate classes for those in public school and those in Catholic school.

Students also have the opportunity to attend retreats and service projects, enabling them to experience the faith they are learning about in class.  The program ends with the celebration of the sacrament in the spring.

Jill Krebsbach, High School Youth Minister,  503-644-2619 x71 Tuesday, 7:00 PM, twice a month, in St. Cecilia School
Elementary School (Grades 1-5) Provides for the Religious Education needs of St. Cecilia Parishioners who attend public or home school.  There is one general theme per grade level: Trinity, Reconciliation and Eucharist, Marks of the Church, Ten Commandments and Beatitudes, and Sacraments.  These themes as well as Scripture, Tradition, Prayer and Social Justice are interwoven in each lesson, encouraging the children to live, as well as know, their Catholic faith.

Registration required.

We encourage parents to be involved and we invite families to join in special gatherings for prayer throughout the liturgical year.  The prayer services are open to all.

Adults:  This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved as a volunteer.  We need teachers, substitutes, and assistants in all grades and for special celebrations.  We train and screen all volunteers per Archdiocesan policy, providing for the learning and safety needs of each child.

Sr. Catherine Hertel, 503-644-2619 x63 Monday, 4:30-5:45 PM, or Wednesday, 6:45-8:00 PM, Sep-May, in St. Cecilia School

Families are encouraged to call for materials to home-school their child if these schedules are inconvenient.

High School Youth Ministry We invite all who are currently in ninth through twelfth grades, whether one attends public, private or home school, to join with us as we journey towards a deeper personal and spiritual relationship with one another and God.  High School Youth Ministry seeks to draw young people into a responsible participation of the life, mission and work of the Catholic Church.

Our program includes large and small group faith sharing, praise & worship, prayer, drama, hospitality, social, and community service, retreats, and liturgical ministries.  Additional activities include community service, retreats, concerts, youth conferences, and Youth on a Mission service projects.

Registration Required.

Peer Leadership: This opportunity empowers youth to serve a one year leadership commitment. These youth will minister to their peers and parish by assisting the Youth Minister and other adult volunteers in the design and implementation of all aspects of the High School Youth Ministry Program. There is an annual workshop held in September that allows youth to discern areas of interest and to receive training for leadership.

Volunteers:  Without parent, young adult and adult volunteerism, it is impossible to provide a comprehensive youth ministry program for our youth.  There are many different levels of commitment.  Give us a call and we will visit with you concerning your gifts and talents and how you can help support our efforts.

Jill Krebsbach, High School Youth Minister,  503-644-2619 x71 Sunday, Oct-May, 6:30-8:30 PM, in the Parish Center
Hispanic Prayer Group Leadership This group gathers to grow and plan out upcoming events for the Hispanic Prayer Group. Juan Carlos Mejia, 503-469-9053 Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 PM, in the Parish Center (meet in the Fireside Room)
Hispanic RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) / Confirmation This program is for young adults and adults from ages 15 and up who want to receive a Sacrament, such as Confirmation, or want to grow in our Catholic faith. Jesus Ramirez, 503-642-1660 Sundays 12:00-2:00 PM, in the Parish Center (meet in the Fireside Room)
Hispanic Youth Group "Confiando en Cristo" Come join other teens, from ages 14 and up, in growing in our faith through praise and worship, dynamics, fundraising, prayer, and preaching of God's word. Felipe Morales, 503-703-0412, or Ezequiel Rodríguez, 503-643-0601 Fridays, 6:30-9:00 PM, in the Parish Center
Middle School Youth Ministry Who?  This ministry is for all parish members in the 6th, 7th & 8th grades, who attend any of the Catholic, Charter, Home and Public Schools in the Beaverton area.

Registration required.

What?  Friends, Prayer, Service, Socials, Family Mass, Scripture Study, Catechesis and Fun Sharing our Catholic Faith.

Our ministry includes weekly gatherings with large and small-group activities. Our teachings emphasize the Bible, Catholic Teaching, and  how to connect our Catholic faith to the daily life of Middle School youth. We use scripture, games, prayer, discussion, and small-group breakouts to experience our faith while relating it to our lives.

We also offer a variety of special events that might include:

  • Soup Kitchen Service Projects
  • Pizza & Movie Nights
  • Retreats
  • Guest Speakers
  • Late Night Lock-In
  • C.Y.O Dances
  • Praise and Worship with the High School Youth

Adults:  We encourage parents to get involved as weekly catechists (teachers), chaperones, behind the scene helpers, and drivers for our special events. The bigger our adult volunteer team, the more activities that we offer. Contact Coordinator Mary Kiefer at x72 to volunteer in this exciting youth ministry for out middle school youth!

Mary Kiefer, 503-644-2619 x72 Sundays, Oct-May, 6:30-8:00 PM, in St. Cecilia School (meet in the Library)
Pre-Marriage Instruction The sacrament of Matrimony celebrates the lifelong love of a man and woman for each other.  Their vows express the covenant, or special bond of love, between the husband and wife, who administer the sacrament to one another in the presence of the Priest or Deacon and the entire community as witnesses.  Through their married love, spouses may become co-creators with God by bringing new life into the world.  They accept the responsibilities and joys of raising their children as members of the Body of Christ.

Couples must arrange for pre-marriage instructions at least six months prior to wedding date.

Parish Office, 503-644-2619 x0  
Sacramental Preparation  (First Reconciliation & First Communion Preparation) Preparation for the first reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion for all St. Cecilia parishioners, ages 7 years or older.  Most children in this program are in 2nd grade.  It is encouraged and preferable that the child have one year of Religious Education (usually Grade 1) prior to entering this program.  First Reconciliation is in January, and First Communion in May.

Registration and a copy of your child's Baptismal Certificate are required.

Parents:  Five Parent Meetings are required. These are held during class time (both afternoons & evenings), with some including the children.

NOTE: If your child is not baptized, or is baptized but older, refer to Catechumenate/RCIC information above.

Sr. Catherine Hertel, 503-644-2619 x63 St. Cecilia parishioners who attend public school (includes bi-lingual English/Spanish class): Mondays, 4:30 PM, or Wednesdays, 6:45 PM, Oct-May, in St. Cecilia School

St. Cecilia School students: during their class at school

St. Cecilia parishioners who attend St. Mary's Grade School: special meetings TBA

School Advisory Council Encourages parent participation at the school and sponsors fund-raising activities for the school. Kelly Corah, 503-267-8923  
School Auction Committee The largest annual fundraiser for St. Cecilia School each year is the School Auction. This festive dinner and live auction raises approximately $150,000 to allow us to keep tuition affordable, upgrade our computer lab, enhance our science curriculum and expand our art literacy and music programs among other things. This year’s theme, Kids Caring for the Earth, teaches us the importance of caring for God’s most precious gift. We encourage the business community and individuals to support our cause with donations which ensure our success each year. The Auction Chair and the Auction Committee plan, promote and carry out the school auction held in the Spring. Auction Office, 503-644-2619 x32  
School Endowment Fund Ensures continued Catholic education by supplementing and supporting long-term funding and financing for the school. Allen Reel, 503-646-0566, or Kim Calkins, 503-644-2619 x78  
School Parents Association Encourages parent participation at the school, sponsors fund-raising activities for the school, and coordinates volunteer participation. Dana Petrusich, 503-244-3062 Varies
Sunday Nursery Ages 3 months through 3 years are invited to join in the fun Sunday mornings.  

Registration Required.

The nursery is a co-op and no fee is charged.  However, for a smooth-running, efficient nursery, it is essential to have enough volunteers for every child's comfort, safety and nurturing.  After your child has visited the nursery several times, please contact us about your support of this ministry.

Joye Boone, Coordinator, 503-644-2619 x70 Sundays during the 9:00 AM Mass, Oct-May, in the Parish Center
Sunday Pre-School Enriches the 3, 4 and 5 year old preschool and kindergarten child's understanding of God through the I Am Special and The Beginners Bible programs, bible stories, finger plays, flannel board stories, painting, puppets, puzzles, songs, spontaneous prayers, etc.

Registration Required.

This program has a terrific staff of team teachers, office staff, and classroom helpers. You are invited to add your talents and interests so the best possible program can continue to serve the pre-school children of our Parish.  We are always looking for new volunteers in our Parish community to join us in this ministry. If you have a desire to work with small children, whether you are a teen, young adult, or retired, we have a spot for you in our program.

Joye Boone, Coordinator, 503-644-2619 x70 Sundays during the 9:00 AM and 10:45 AM Masses, Oct-May, in St. Cecilia School

No classes scheduled for Thanksgiving, Christmas, President's Day, Spring Break, and Easter holidays