he Religious Education program at the Cathedral strives to provide the basic fundamentals of Catholicism at each child's level of learning. Children ages 4-17 can participate in Sunday morning classes from 10:30-11:45. This time frame give families the opportunity to attend mass before or after classes.

Sacramental preparation is offered in the appropriate grades. First Communion in the second grade, First Penance in the fourth grade and Confirmation in the seventh and eighth grades with a class for high school candidates as well. Confirmation is held every other year. Family sessions for Religious Education are held throughout the year with corresponding activities. We also offer service opportunities for families to be involved in our ministry to the homeless. Aside from Religious Education, the Cathedral also invites children ages 5-7 to attend Children's Liturgy of the Wo rd, also called Children's Church. This is held during the 9:30 mass in the undercroft. The children listen to the Word of God on their own level and then return to the congregation for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. After First Communion, children are ready to attend the Liturgy with their families.

Beginning in the fall of 2001, we will offer a preschool Sunday school during the 9:30 mass. Children ages 3 and 4 who ar e older than the nursery and are still too young for Children's Liturgy will have the opportunity to come together to play and learn about Jesus with activities geared specifically for their age level.