Children's Faith Formation

Children's Faith Formation

Sacred Heart offers faith formation classes for students in grades 1-8 who attend public or other non-Catholic schools which include the preparation necessary to receive the sacraments of First Penance, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.


Mission

The Sacred Heart Faith Formation program strives to support parents in handing on the Catholic and Apostolic Faith to their children by offering a systematic presentation of the Faith in union with and in fidelity to the Holy Roman Catholic Church founded by Jesus Christ.


Registration Information

We are pleased to offer online registration for the 2026-2027 academic year. Please be sure to read through the handbook before registering. Payment must be made by debit or credit card at the time of registration.


Class Time & Location

Classes are held in the Parish Center:


Mondays from 4:45 - 6:00 pm: Grades 1-6

Mondays from 6:30 - 7:45 pm: Grades 1, 2, 3, 7 and 8

Online Homeschool Option

An online homeschool option for students in grades 1-8 is available. The courses are asynchronous/self-paced with a quiz for each lesson and a test following each unit. Click here to preview My Catholic Faith Delivered. Please be sure to read through the online homeschool handbook before registering. Have questions? Check out our FAQ page.

Homeschooling

Sacred Heart Parish respects parents' right to homeschool their children. Parents that are interested in homeschooling their children for Faith Formation should notify the Faith Formation Office and maintain contact with the Director of Faith Formation regarding diocesan policies and guidelines, especially those pertaining to sacramental preparation.


Volunteers

Do you love your Catholic faith? Are you able to work with children? Are you willing to dedicate a few hours each week to their faith formation? If so, please prayerfully consider becoming a faith formation catechist, co-catechist, classroom aide or hall monitor.


All Faith Formation volunteers must be or become compliant with the Diocese of Arlington Child Protection Policy, to include a background check and Virtus seminar.


For more information, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 703-590-0256.


Baptism

Infant Baptism

For children under the age of seven, parents must attend a baptism class prior to their child receiving the sacrament.  To register for a baptism class, or for more information regarding infant baptism, please contact the Parish Office at 703-590-0030.  Baptisms are normally scheduled for the first three Sundays of the month after the 11am Mass.


Baptism prep class day: First Thursday of the month.

Baptism prep class time: 6:30 pm



Infant baptisms are scheduled the first 3 Sundays following the 11:00 am Mass


Children 7 years old and older and Adult Baptisms

Children seven years old and older must receive instruction in the Catholic Faith prior to receiving baptism. To receive this instruction, children must be enrolled in parish faith formation classes. Please contact the Faith Formation Office at 703-590-0256 to determine the appropriate class for you or your child. Parents must also attend a baptism class prior to their child receiving the sacrament.


Adults who would like to prepare to receive baptism should contact the OCIA Coordinator, Volunteer, Samantha Williams, at 703-590-0256 about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Click here for more information.


First Holy Communion

Students customarily receive their First Holy Communion in May of their second grade year, upon the completion of a special two-year program which begins in the fall of their first grade year. The program also prepares them to make their First Confession prior to their First Holy Communion.


For children and teens in grades three and above in need of First Holy Communion, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 703-590-0256 to determine the appropriate class for you or your child.


Adults who would like to prepare to receive their First Holy Communion should contact the OCIA Coordinator, Volunteer, Samantha Williams, at 703-590-0256 about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults. Click here for more information.


Important Dates for First Communion 2027


First Penance/First Communion Parent Meeting

Tuesday, January 16  at 7:00 pm in the Church


First Penance

Saturday, February 6 at 10:30 am in the Church


First Communion Retreat

Saturday, April 17 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm


First Communion Mass

Saturday, May 8 at 11:00 am in the Church

reception to follow in the Parish Hall

Confirmation


Students customarily receive the sacrament of confirmation during their eighth grade year in the Diocese of Arlington, upon the completion of a special two-year program of formation. Confirmation of students in our parish is normally celebrated in the spring at Sacred Heart Church by the Bishop of Arlington, or by another bishop designated by the diocese.


For teens in grades nine and above in need of Confirmation, please contact the Faith Formation Office at 703-590-0256 to determine the appropriate class for your child. Click here to register. Click here to view the calendar for OCIT classes


Adults who are in need of the sacrament of confirmation should contact the OCIA Coordinator, Volunteer, Samantha Williams, at 703-590-0256 about the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults.



Important Dates for Confirmation 2027

Second Year Students


Parent Meeting

Tuesday, September 29, at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall


Confirmation Retreat

Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm in the Parish Hall


Saint Report Due

Monday, November 23, 2026


Confirmation Interviews (TBD)

February 9-11, 2027 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm


Confirmation Rehearsal

Sunday, February 28, 2027 at 3:00 pm in the Church


Confirmation Mass

Monday, March 1, 2027 at 6:00 pm in the Church

reception to follow in the Parish Hall



Important Dates for Confirmation 2028

First Year Students


Parent Meeting

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall


Sponsor Form Due

Friday, January 30, 2027


Saint Report Due

Monday, November 22, 2027



SPRED

Special Religious Development (SPRED) is a program in which persons who are developmentally disabled come together as a small faith community which fosters spiritual and personal growth by helping participants discover God’s action and presence in their lives.


Sacred Heart offers SPRED sessions for youth ages 6 – 21. The group meets on the first and third Saturdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm approximately 12 times per year from September through April. Click here to view calendar.


Sacred Heart also offers SPRED sessions for adults. The group meets on the second and fourth Saturdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm approximately 12 times per year from September through April. Click here to view calendar.


Registration Information

We are pleased to offer online registration for the 2026 - 2027 academic year. Please register using the same link as for Faith Formation. Payment must be made by debit or credit card at the time of registration. Note: We are unable to accommodate students from other parishes at this time.


For more information, please call the Faith Formation Office at 703-590-0256.