Contact:
Sr. Bernadette Hannaway, O.S.U.
Director of Religious Education
Phone: 718.885.1440

St. Mary Star of the Sea Rectory
595 Minneford Avenue
City Island
Bronx, New York 10464

Mission Statement

Religious Education Program

Mass Attendance

Sacramental Programs

Mission Statement: We at the parish of St. Mary Star of the Sea look upon religious education as a total parish experience involving not just the child, but also parents, families, catechists and priests that form our parish community of faith. We believe that religious education is getting to know Jesus and learning what is expected of one who chooses to follow him in the Catholic tradition. Our program reflects an integrated learning experience combining all aspects of Catholic teaching as well as the dimensions of a vibrant church life. Through the light of faith, we hope to develop in those entrusted to our care a deeper relationship with God.

Religious Education Program: The religious education program consists of grades 1 through 8. Classes are held on Wednesdays beginning in late September and end in late May. Grades 1, 2 and 3 are part of a released-time program from the public school and have their classes from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Grades 4 through 8 meet on Wednesdays in the evening from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Registration is conducted by mail during the summer and is encouraged for all students who will be returning to the program. Registration for new students usually takes place in early September at the Rectory.

Mass Attendance: An integral part of our Religious Education program is that our students attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation and participate fully in an essential part of the sacramental life of the Church. Learning in class can be truly effective only when one meets the Lord sacramentally at the altar.

Sacramental Programs: A very important part of our Religious Education program is preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. The policy of St. Mary Star of the Sea is that a young person who will prepare for any of these sacraments must have had a minimum of two years of religious education.

Sacrament of Reconciliation: This is the sacrament that continues Jesus' work of forgiving and reconciling. Usually, it is the children in the 2nd grade who are prepared for their first Confession, the telling of their sins to a priest and receiving God's forgiveness. The reception of this sacrament usually takes place in March.

Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist: The Eucharist is the central act of our Catholic faith. At the Last Supper the night before He died, Christ gave us His Body and Blood as a holy meal and ordained his priests so that this meal could be continued for all ages. Children are taught that the Holy Eucharist is the real Body and Blood of Christ and what appears to be bread and wine are actually his living Body. Children in the second grade are prepared to receive this sacrament which usually takes place on the first Saturday of May each year.

Confirmation: Confirmation is intimately related to Baptism and the Eucharist as one of the sacraments of initiation. In Confirmation, young people are signed with the gift of the Spirit and are called to be witnesses to Christ in the world and to continue his work of service to others. Our young people are called to an intense preparation for this sacrament which includes class attendance, Mass attendance, 10 hours of Christian service and participation in various meetings and activities. Preparation for this sacrament begins in grade 6 with the reception of the sacrament taking place in Grade 8, usually in April or early May.