Leading Our Children to God

Through our Faith Formation program, we assist parents/guardians in the awesome responsibility of leading their children to a personal relationship with God through Gospel values of Jesus Christ and witnessed through their Catholic faith.

We provide the following:

  • Reading and studying sacred scripture
  • Teaching basic truths of the Catholic Church
  • Participating in the Church’s sacramental life and prayer
  • Relating experiences of Gospel values through loving acts of justice and service to their families, church, community, country, and world
  • Revering all of God’s creation

Registration

2023-2024 Registration

The registration deadline has passed. Please contact Jacque Childs or call the parish office at 608-246-5124.

2023-2024 Fee Schedule & Payment

Parish Member Registration Fees

K-8 Students (Non-Sacrament): $65
Total Fee First Reconciliation/First Communion Students: $115
Total Fee Confirmation Students: $60

Non-Members Registration Fees

K-8 Students (Non-Sacrament): $90
Total Fee First Reconciliation/First Communion Students: $140
Total Fee Confirmation Students: $85

  • Fees increase by $10 per category if registration is after September 1, 2023.
PAY FEES HERE

Class Schedule

Kindergarten – 8th Grade

Grades K-8: Mondays in the afternoon or evening

K-8: 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm OR 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Please see the attached calendar for our first semester class schedule. We will be offering several Family Enrichment opportunities as well. Our theme for the year is “Hallelujah Anyway.”

Faith Formation K-8 Calendar

Confirmation (Grade 9)

Sunday mornings and a few evenings plus additional expectations to be completed outside of these class times. The focus of our program is to prepare teens to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. The schedule of required classes is listed below. Based on the positive feedback we received last year, we will be combining in-person and virtual classes for first semester.

Confirmation Calendar

Students are expected to attend all grade level classes. Parents are highly encouraged to promote their children’s positive, active participation in all phases and opportunities offered. Parental support and cooperation are vital to a successful program and greatly appreciated!

Saint Dennis Faith Formation classes will be canceled if:

  • Madison Metropolitan School District Schools close early or are closed for the day due to weather conditions.
  • Weather becomes a threat during the day class would be held and a winter storm warning is issued.
  • Parents are encouraged to exercise their discretion for those “other” weather situations which inevitably happen.

  1. Staff will instruct youth to report all injuries/illnesses.
  2. Staff shall refer the reported or observed incident(s) to the director.
  3. In cases where the youth cannot return to a class or in emergency situations, the parents/guardians are responsible for making arrangements for medical treatment and transportation.
  4. If an emergency is severe, the staff shall call for emergency medical care before or concurrent with notification to the parents or guardians.

Grades K-9 Lisa Harms – Director of Faith Formation (608) 246-5123

Sacramental Preparation

First Reconciliation

Saint Dennis Parish Sacraments First Reconciliation

First Reconciliation takes place in second grade (or when child has reached the age of 7). Students are prepared and encouraged to receive their First Reconciliation with their family in November. Students should have participated in either Faith Formation or be enrolled in Saint Dennis School for a year prior to their second-grade year.

  • We will be using Dynamic Catholic’s “Blessed” series with students in class.
  • Families are asked to do preparation at home as well using this “Blessed” series as well.
  • First Reconciliation Retreat is required for one parent/guardian and student
  • Family Reconciliation Service – Tuesday, November 28, 2023

First Holy Communion

Saint Dennis Parish Sacraments First Holy Communion

Students in second grade (or when child has reached the age of 7) are prepared and encouraged to receive their First Holy Communion at Mass time of their choosing from May through August. Sign-ups will be forthcoming for families who are going through the program. Children, along with a parent(s) must also attend a parent/child retreat in order to better prepare for this sacrament.

  • We will be using Dynamic Catholic’s “Blessed” series with students in class.
  • Families are asked to do preparation at home as well using “Blessed.”
  • First Holy Communion Family Retreat
  • The Sacrament of First Holy Communion

Confirmation

Saint Dennis Parish Sacraments Confirmation

Every baptized person not yet confirmed can and should receive the sacrament of Confirmation. Since Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist form a unity, it follows that “the faithful are obliged to receive this sacrament at the appropriate time,” for without Confirmation and Eucharist, Baptism is certainly valid and efficacious, but Christian initiation remains incomplete. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, par. 1306)

Confirmation is not about deciding to be Catholic. By virtue of one’s baptism, they are already Catholic. Confirmation, a sacrament of initiation, completes baptism. Confirmation is more about a person responding to God’s generous outpouring of love and the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Please Note: Families with children who for any reason are beyond the regularly scheduled grade programs for the reception of the sacraments are urged to notify us and plans will be made to help them complete the necessary preparation.

Inquiries may be made to Lisa Harms.

Youth in their freshman year or beyond who are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation have certain requirements that Saint Dennis Parish believes will better prepare them for this Sacrament. Note that these are not “hoops” for them to jump through or rules for rules sake. These requirements will give the young people a greater understanding of their Catholic faith and what is really important in their lives. It will teach them good decision-making skills that are vital to surviving in this world and bring them into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

  1. Attend the special Parent/Student meeting in October.
  2. Each student should choose a sponsor. Parents need to take an active role in this process. A sponsor must be a person who has already received the Sacrament of Confirmation and needs to be someone other than the candidate’s parents. A sponsor should be someone who not only practices their Catholic faith, but an individual to whom your child can discuss deep spiritual issues. Each sponsor will receive a manual to assist with this important process. Sponsors are expected to meet with your child two to three times before Confirmation along with attending (virtually) one class per semester with their student. Students will also be conducting a Sponsor Interview to turn in. Sponsors will also be asked to come to two virtual classes.
  3. Students will need to attend a Confirmation work shop second semester.
  4. Regularly attend and participate in Mass and the Sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation.
  5. We recommend 10 hours of service (5 per semester).
  6. Interview with Director of Faith Formation.
  7. Attend all Faith Formation Classes. Please download calendar for your reference.
  8. Letter to the Bishop
  9. Saint Report