Welcome! New Parishioners
Parish Life Overview
Religious Education / Christiain Formation
EMMAUS RETREATS
are weekends for 10th, 11th and 12th grade students who want to learn more about their relationship with God. There are usually two retreats each school year, one in November and one in March or April. Watch the bulletin for details. Also see photos from recent weekends via the Parish Photo Albums page at the parish website, www.starcc.com.
EPS (EDUCATION PARISH SERVICE)
- Building on the firm foundation of Church teaching, EPS educates Catholics to understand, live and share their faith in their homes, parishes, workplaces and communities. Using faculty from respected Catholic universities and seminaries, EPS provides theological, scriptural and pastoral education, as well as spiritual development and practical ministry training, and prepares lay Catholics to collaborate with their pastors in service of their parishes. EPS has a four-year evening certificate program, and a short-term daytime EPS Forum.
Contact the EPS Recruiter Mary Chalupsky at (203) 877-1905 or at EPSCTRecruiter@trinitydc.edu; or Program Director Dr. Ellen Mahon, 461-8064 or elleneps@yahoo.com.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY
- St. As offers a high school youth ministry experience that is open to all high school teens (grades 9-12). High school students are gathered together for spiritual, social and community service projects. Examples of activities include: Lock-In (includes Midnight Mass, speakers, skits & spiritual reflections led by other teens), fall & spring retreat weekend (Emmaus), youth council, annual summer mission trip (Catholic HEART Work Camp), Midnight Run (Fall and spring), Teen Mass (Sundays at 5:00 PM) & teen music ministry.
Contact: Youth Minister Denise Dagesse, 434-5352 or email lifeteennc@aol.com.
K-8 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (CCD)
The program is open to all registered members of the parish whose children attend public or private school. Formal training begins in the first grade and continues through 8th grade, building knowledge of the Catholic faith and tradition. The sacrament of Holy Eucharist is celebrated at the conclusion of the second grade and confirmation is administered at the completion of the eighth grade. Attendance is mandatory to ensure a thorough understanding of the teachings before moving on to the next level. All classes, with the exception of 7th & 8th grade, take place on the St. Aloysius campus.
Monday afternoon
Grades 1-4 East & NC Country School
4:00-5:00 PM
Tuesday afternoon
Grades 1-4 South School
4:00-5:00 PM
Wednesday afternoon
Grades 1-4 West
4:00-5:00 PM
Thursday afternoon
Grade 5
4:00-5:00 PM
Tuesday evening
Grade 6 In the School
7:00-8:00 PM
Wednesday evening
Grade 7 Home Groups
consult catechist
Monday evening
Grade 8 Home Groups
consult catechist
**7th & 8th grade meet every other week, with special events scheduled during the year.
The Religious Education staff offices are in the tudor-style house at 30 Maple Street, just down the block from the parish offices in the old church building.
The Religious Ed office is open Mondays through Thursdays, 9:30am to 3:30pm.
Contact: Program Coordinator, Carol Pinard, 966-4555.
MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH MINISTRY
St. As offers a middle school ministry experience that compliments the Religious Education program. Seventh and eighth graders are gathered together for spiritual, social, and community service projects.
Examples of activities include: Lock-In (includes Midnight Mass, speakers, pancake dinner, skits and spiritual reflections led by older teens), ice skating and bowling outings, trip to local soup kitchen, Valentine Bingo, youth council, end of the year pool party/BBQ, graduation Mass/ice cream reception for our eighth graders in June, Teen Mass (Sunday at 5:00 PM) and teen music ministry. Select events are open to sixth graders.
Contact: Youth Minister, Denise Dagesse, 434-5352 or email lifeteennc@aol.com for more information.
PRE-BAPTISM INSTRUCTION
- is required of all parents and must be completed before a Baptism can be scheduled. The class takes place the second Monday of every month, from 8:00-9:00pm, in Stapleton Hall. Pre-registration is not required, but it is encouraged.
Call the parish office at 966-0020 to sign up for a session.
RCIA (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INTIATION OF ADULTS)
is the process by which a person converts to Catholicism. There is a team of facilitators, catechists and sponsors who meet with participants for approximately one year until the Easter Vigil when they are received as members of the Church. The initial meetings of this group are Monday evenings, 7:30 PM. As the process proceeds, meetings change to attendance at the 8:30 AM Mass and then getting together afterwards.
Contact: Bernie and Joan Rafferty, 972-0689.
SAINT ALOYSIUS SCHOOL
is staffed by qualified, dedicated lay teachers who provide a quality education for students from grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade, in an environment permeated by Christian attitudes and values. The Home School Association (HSA) serves as a liaison between the parents and the school.
Contact: Dr. Donald Howard, Principal, or School Secretary, Ann Kelly, 966-0786.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Children age 3 to Grade 5 can participate in a week of Bible study, outdoor games, music, crafts, and summer fellowship. The children meet every morning from 9:30 AM until 12:00 noon. This event takes place in July, but registration takes place in March or April and usually fills up very quickly. Watch the bulletin throughout the spring for VBS announcements.
Question or Comment?
Contact Us
Saint Aloysius Parish
Main Office
40 Maple Street, New Canaan,
CT 06840
Tel. (203) 966 0020
Fax: (203) 972 7691