In-Person Options for Faith Formation
In Person Classes: Meet Weekly on Wednesdays from 5:45pm to 7 PM
OPTIONAL WEEKLY DINNER: 5:00PM TO 5:45PM. ADVANCE SIGN-UP REQUIRED.
(RSVP NOT REQUIRED FOR FAMILY NIGHTS.)
***Please note: the Calendar gives more detail as to when we are in formation classes vs. Family Night, adult training, etc.
Nursery – Babies and Toddlers, ages 1 through 3 years old.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) – Level 1 or Pre-School Catechesis - for children ages 3 to 5 years old.
Preschool Catechesis (Pre-K3/4) - Alternate option on Wednesday evenings for 4 year olds based on a curriculum from Loyola Press.
Please Note: We have several options available for children ages 3 to 5 years old. Our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program (ages 3-5) fills quickly and is first come, first serve. You must be prepared to attend every week if you would like to maintain your space in the class. Please consider your child's bedtime needs before selecting a class. The sessions end at 7 pm on Wednesdays during the school year. For 3-4-year-olds, we offer an additional PreK class option (more hands on, crafts, and stories) and for Kindergarten students (the K-2 Kids Club option).
First Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion Preparation — Grades 1 and 2
Families will register for Kids Club for all 1st-2nd Grade students who do not attend full time Catholic school for weekly faith formation. Students will be required to complete both Year 1 and Year 2 of preparation prior to reception of the Sacraments.
Immediate preparation for First Reconciliation, Confirmation (starting in 2027-2028) and First Holy Communion takes place in 1st Grade and 2nd Grade, with immediate preparation for Confirmation only for Grades 3 and up taking place as needed based on our parish schedule for Restored Order from 2026-2028.
All 1st and 2nd grade parents (regardless of school attending) are required to attend sacrament specific meetings and retreats throughout the course of the year. Please see the Sacramental Prep page for more details.
Middle School Youth Ministry — 6th - 8th Grade
Weekly youth ministry for our middle school age youth. Large group games, prayers and faith-based talks focused on relationships and virtue. Fun relational ministry that is aimed to make an impact on daily life! The 8th graders will especially have an opportunity for leadership and service in preparation for high school.
Confirmation Prep — 5th Grade and up (2026-2027)
Separate Registration found on the Sacramental Prep page. Confirmation Prep for this age level is focused on a youth ministry style approach following the OCIA model which encourages young people to ask the big questions. The goal is to truly prepare each candidate for the reception of Confirmation and living fully as a witness of Christ.
High School Service + Formation - 9th to 12th Grades
Open to all high school age youth who have received Confirmation. Options on Wednesday evenings include serving as leaders or assistants in Pre-School/CGS, Kids Club (Grades K-5), Middle School Youth Group (Grades 6-8) and/or may choose to receive continuing faith formation within the adult studies offered. Please reach out to Erica for more details.
Adult Participants – Service + Formation
This is a family based program, and individual children or youth cannot be registered without at least one dedicated adult/parent participating alongside them - see Details and Policies for more information.
Adult Participants may choose between formation study or participating in service:
Service Options Include: serving as a catechist/youth ministry volunteer*, working in the nursery*, Check In Table / Snacks / Grader, Dinner Support (Every Week), Adult Choir
Adult Formation Studies may include: Catholicism 101, OCIA (for those becoming Catholic), Formed.org studies, Bible study.
NEW for 2026-2027 - Fall and Spring - CATHOLICISM 101 - "The Bible in 24 Hours" Led by Chez Filippini + Team
Based on 24 one-hour long sessions, we'll aim to cover the grand Biblical narrative. The key theme will be tracking the development of the Old Covenant into the New Covenant. The preface of Eucharistic Prayer IV leading to the epiclesis ("time and again you offered the covenants...") will be the common lens reiterated throughout the series.
Adults who are new to the Catholic faith (recent OCIA alumni), or if it’s been awhile since you’ve had formal religious education or if you’ve got questions and want to go deeper - this would be a great class for you!
Adults may also choose to spend time in dedicated prayer every week. Select: Weekly Adoration (Held in the Cathedral During Wednesday Session), if desired. This selection is for those who intend to spend from 5:45/6-7 PM in Adoration. Think of it as signing up for a weekly holy hour while your kids are in formation!
All families/individuals who sign up for the optional weekly dinner will be placed on an additional rotating schedule (2-3 times per year).
During Registration - Adult Participants will choose both a Fall (Aug-Dec) and Spring (Jan-May) selection. For spring, give us your best guesstimate - we do offer a mid-year check in to confirm your spring registration selection.
*PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the Adult Choir fulfills the one dedicated adult role for child(ren) participants. The choir meets on Wednesdays, and sings at 9:30 Mass weekly on Sundays. This is a full year commitment (both fall and spring semesters).*
*Service roles requiring completion of safe environment and background clearances include: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) assistant, Preschool Catechesis - PreK4, Kids Club assistant (serving Grades K-5), Middle School Core Team Member (serving Grades 6-8). Please contact the parish office to complete prior to the start of Faith Formation.
If you are unsure which option to choose and/or you would like assistance with the selection process, please feel free to reach out at any time to the Director of Faith Formation, Erica Maloney (maloneye@shc.ptdiocese.org) or call the Parish Office.
FORMED is free for anyone in our parish:
Go to signup.formed.org
Enter 32503
Select “Cathedral of the Sacred Heart - Pensacola”
OCIC (formerly RCIC) – Order of Christian Initiation for Children (7 years old to 14 years old)
For children who are over seven years old but have not yet received first Sacraments. RCIC classes are for children who have or have not been baptized. The length of time for the preparation process will be determined by the religious background of the individual child. RCIC is generally a two-year process and is a combination of age-appropriate religious education, sacramental preparation, and rites of the catechumenate. At the second year of preparation, the child would receive all Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil (Baptism – as needed, First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation).
OCIA (formerly RCIA) – Order of Christian Initiation for Adults - Catechumens/Candidates
One-year process for adults (16 years and older) becoming Catholic and entering the Church. OCIA will meet on Wednesdays during faith formation. OCIA is a one-year process with reception of all Sacraments held at Easter Vigil in the spring. Please contact Deacon David Ell directly to sign up or if you have any questions.