Education
Furthering Your Religious Education
Aside from just attending church on Sundays, there are many ways that you and your family can delve deeper into the church. We have many programs and studies that help strength your faith by being around like-minded Catholics who engage in discussions about scripture and the teachings of God.
Getting Yourself & Your Child Involved
Parish Faith Formation
We will search for and develop the best means available to impart the message of Christ in the St. Mary of the Lake Church Community Faith Formation education programs for preschool through high school so that, through a lifelong process of learning about their faith, the young people will experience personal conversion, growth in spirituality, a foundation for living as Catholic Christians in today's world, and integration into the faith life of the parish community.
Contact:
Bill Nistor at faithformation1@gmail.com
Helene Friend at faithformation@gmail.com
Pre-Baptism
Parents are encouraged to attend baptism preparation sessions well in advance of the birth of their child. Arrangements for these sessions and the baptism may be made by calling the parish. The pre-baptism sessions are held on the third Saturday of every other month, January through November (6 times per year). A letter of recommendation is required for each practicing Catholic godparent, before the baptism.
Contact:
Deacon William Walkowiak at (716) 725-4085
Pre-Cana
Sponsor couples work with engaged couples who wish to be married in the Catholic Church, using a format provided by the Diocese of Buffalo. Married couples who are willing to share their experiences with engaged couples are welcome to join. Pre-Cana is required for all engaged couples. Arrangements should be made in person as early as possible and no less than six months prior to the wedding date.
Contact:
Dean and Donna Lucas at (716) 627-2074
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
This process welcomes individuals who feel a call from God to enter into full membership in the Catholic Church. The team consists of parishioners who journey with the catechumens and candidates while they grow in faith through the time they receive the sacraments of baptism, Eucharist and/or confirmation and beyond.
Contact:
Debbie Keenan at dkeenan4@verizon.net or at (716) 822-0390
Southtowns Catholic School
Catholic Education from pre-k3 through 8th grade. Located at 2052 Lakeview Rd. Lake View, NY 14085. Visit their website for more information: http://www.southtownscatholic.org/