Little Disciples - Liturgy of the Word Children's Ministry

Little Disciples is Children’s Liturgy of the Word; a special ministry geared for our youngest disciples. On Sundays during the school year, at the 10:00am Mass, children aged 3 - 6 are invited to the lower church to hear and respond to God's Word in an age-accessible way. Our Faith Formation program for children aged 3 - 6 is Catechesis of the Good Shepherd; a Montessori-based, hands-on approach to learning the Catholic Faith (description below).

We are always looking for Adult and Teen volunteers who have a heart for serving the children of the Parish. If you are a new volunteer, please be sure to visit our "I'm New" page for instructions on registration and training as a Volunteer in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

There will be a Kick-Off Celebration for the 2026-2027 school year after the 10:00am Mass on Sunday, August 23rd. Please stop by to register your "little disciples" and to meet the volunteer staff who will be sharing the Liturgy of the Word with them throughout the school year. If you have any questions, please email littledisciples.sa@gmail.com.

PARISH FAMILY CATECHESIS - RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Remember that a student must be registered in Faith Formation this year and be registered in Faith Formation or in a Catholic School, during the 2026-2027 school year in order to participate in Preparation for any Sacrament.

3-6 Year Olds

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS)

CGS is a Montessori-based, hands-on approach to learning the Catholic Faith. Sessions will take place on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month, 6:30 - 8:00pm, October 7, 2026 through May 5, 2027. Registration information will be available soon.

7-10 Year Olds

Elementary School Faith Formation

A program for Elementary School aged students, who are not enrolled in a Catholic School.

In person class sessions registration information will be available at the end of the Summer.

Grades 6-8 and 9-12

Middle and High School Life Teen

Life Teen provides a safe and fun place for middle schoolers to find a solid Catholic community, get answers to their questions, and experience Jesus in a profound and personal way, helping our youth become life-long disciples. Next year, we hope to have both a Middle School Program and a separate High School Program.

If you have any questions about any of our Religious Education, Sacramental Preparation, OCIA or OCIC programs, please contact Meghan Flemming at Meghan.Flemming@archbalt.org.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Meghan Fleming, our Pastoral Associate for Evangelization and Faith Formation, at Meghan.Fleming@archbalt.org.

Note: All young people desiring to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, First Holy Eucharist, or Confirmation must attend Catholic School or our Faith Formation Program for the year prior to the sacramental year, as well as the sacramental year itself. During the sacramental year, candidates are also required to enroll in one of our Sacramental Preparation Programs. Sacramental Preparation is separate from regular Faith Formation, in accordance with the policies of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

2nd Grade and Up

First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

Starting September 13, 2026, Preparation Sessions for 2nd - 5th graders will be held on the Second and Fourth Sundays of the month, after the 10:00am Mass, at 11:15am to facilitate time for the family to attend Mass together as part of preparation. All students in this dedicated program must already have participated in a Religious Education class or attending Catholic School the year prior to preparation and must also be enrolled simultaneously in the same year of preparation.

3rd Grade

Confirmation

A Confirmation Parent Informational Meeting will be held on September 9th, at 6:30pm, in the Old School. Confirmation is offered annually to students in 3rd grade and Preparation Sessions will begin September 23rd, continuing the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, from 6:30pm - 7:45pm, in the Old School.

NO sessions November 25th & December 23rd. Also, on Ash Wednesday, February 10th – NO session. Families are encouraged to attend Mass together instead. Those in 4th – 12th grade will also have an opportunity to prepare for Confirmation through our OCIC Program. Archdiocesan policy states that in order to prepare for any Sacrament, children must be enrolled in our Elementary Faith Formation, Catholic School or a Home School program the year they are preparing and to have been enrolled the year prior, as well.

Adults seeking Confirmation should reach out to the parish office about OCIA.

Adults

OCIA

Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the Catholic Church's process for welcoming those who are unbaptized or baptized in another Christian tradition and who seek to gain full communion with the Catholic Church. Our parish leadership will walk with you on your journey of prayer, reflection, and gradual conversion, marked by meaningful steps along the way. Do you know someone who regularly attends Mass but hasn’t taken the next step toward becoming Catholic? Maybe a friend who often brings up thoughtful questions about faith, God, or spirituality? Or perhaps it’s you - attending Mass but still missing one or more of the Sacraments? Whoever it may be, take a moment to pray and reflect.

Who benefits from OCIA?

Anyone who has never been part of a faith community but feels a deep desire to belong.
Individuals raised in another Christian tradition who are now curious about the Catholic Church.
Baptized Catholics who have not yet received First Communion or Confirmation.
Those married to Catholics who want to learn more about the faith and explore the possibility of becoming Catholic.
Anyone who senses a call or gentle prompting from the Holy Spirit to take the next step in their spiritual journey.

Children Ages 7-17

OCIA - Adapted for Children (OCIC)

St. Agnes Church warmly welcomes children of catechetical age, together with their families, to begin a faith-filled journey of preparation for full initiation into the Catholic Church. Through the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) - adapted for children (OCIC) - our parish helps young people grow in faith and prepare to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.

Children who have reached the age of reason (around seven years old) and who have not yet been baptized take part in this special process, which culminates in the celebration of the Sacraments at the Easter Vigil.

As the Church teaches, "Since children who have reached the use of reason are considered, for the purposes of Christian initiation, to be adults (canon 852:1), their formation should follow the general pattern of the ordinary catechumenate, with the appropriate adaptations permitted by the ritual. They should receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil, together with older catechumens" (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults).

The OCIC for Children is a beautiful journey of faith for those ages 7-17, guiding them into a deeper relationship with Jesus and full participation in the life of the Church.

Periods of the OCIC Process

Period of Inquiry/Evangelization: This is a time of inquiry and discovery - a chance to ask questions and become familiar with the values and message of the Gospel. It is an open-ended period, without a fixed schedule, allowing for the beginnings of faith to take root. At St. Agnes, we offer a year-round inquiry process, so families and children may begin their journey at any time during the year.

Period of the Catechumenate: After celebrating the Rite of Acceptance and Welcoming, participants - now called catechumens - enter a time of deeper instruction and spiritual formation. During this period, they grow in understanding of the Catholic faith and in personal conversion as they prepare to celebrate the sacraments.

Period of Purification and Enlightenment: Following the Rite of Election, this stage invites the Elect into a more intense period of prayer and reflection. It is a time for spiritual cleansing and deeper union with Christ. Traditionally, this period coincides with Lent, though since our OCIA process is ongoing throughout the year, for OCIC it may take place whenever a catechumen is ready.

Celebration of the Sacraments of Initiation: At the end of their journey, the Elect are fully received into the Catholic Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist, most often celebrated at the Easter Vigil. This moment marks their full initiation into the life of Christ and His Church.

Period of Mystagogy: After initiation, the newly baptized - now called Neophytes - enter a time of continued growth and reflection. During this six-week period, they deepen their understanding of their faith, strengthen their relationship with God, and begin active participation in the life and mission of the Church through service, prayer, and community involvement.

St. Agnes Parish invites children and teens who have not yet been baptized to register and take the next step in their journey toward full initiation into the Catholic faith. If your family would like to take part in this process or learn more about this ministry, email our Pastoral Associate for Evangelization and Faith Formation, Meghan Fleming at Meghan.Fleming@archbalt.org

For additional information about the OCIA/OCIC process, visit: https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/christian-initiation-of-adults