The Center for Family Discipleship
A Family-Based Religious Education
The Center for Family Discipleship: A Family-Based Education Model
Immaculate Conception offers a Family Based model for Religious Education.
Once a month, from October to May, on a Monday evening from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, parents and children gather together for 2 hours over pizza and salad to learn together about our Catholic Faith.
The first and last 30 minutes are intergenerational and the middle 60 minutes are spent in break out groups with Catechists teaching an age-appropriate lesson on the monthly topic.
4 Advantages of a
Family-Based Model
1
Parents are not picking up children whose response to “what did you learn today,” is “nothing.” Parents will be learning with them.
2
Families can incorporate foundations of Catholicism (kindness, love, forgiveness, sacrifice, non-judgement, etc.) into the family system to bring a greater sense of joy to the home.
3
Parents with multiple children are not dropping their children off once a week on different days to learn in a classroom and tax the busy schedules already in existence for today’s family.
4
When you live in NJ who doesn’t like pizza?
Receiving Sacraments
Another advantage of a family-based model is that sacraments don’t have to be celebrated with a grade or class so no one feels they “missed” a Sacrament.
Sacraments are always about what God is doing in our lives so we should be open to “God’s time.”
Preparation for First Reconciliation (Confession), First Eucharist (Communion) and Confirmation are done within the household family and the parish family – in community.
There is extra time that needs to be given in the immediate year of celebration by way of a child-friendly, gentle curriculum.
Immaculate Conception is not a one-size-fits-all community. We are small and very open to the Holy Spirit working in your family and will do our best to stay out of the way
of the Holy Spirit and instead work with that Spirit.
First
Reconcilation
First
Communion
Confirmation
In order for a child to have context for their First Reconciliation and Eucharist and understand the beauty of the sacraments, several months (approximately 2 years) of preparation are required prior to receiving a sacrament.
In order for a child to have context for their First Reconciliation and Eucharist and understand the beauty of the sacraments, several months (approximately 2 years) of preparation are required prior to receiving a sacrament.
Immaculate Conception hosts a comprehensive 2-year Confirmation preparation offered to youth in grades 7 and up. Confirmation is offered in the springtime of the child's second year of the program, or when the Pastor determines they are ready.
Closer to Christ
through the Holy Mass
We are a Christ-centered people. Our Lord and Savior is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
The Eucharist is not a “symbol” of Christ, but IS Christ Himself, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity
He is our source of strength and grace.
Mass Attendance
Mass is where the disciple “strength trains.” Therefore, Mass attendance is a crucial aspect of faith formation at Immaculate Conception Church, and we invite families to make this encounter with the living Lord a priority.
It is also one of our most important measures for sacramental readiness for young ladies and gentlemen preparing for First Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. Without the context of Mass, children will not fully understand what they’re doing when it comes to the Sacraments, and the experience will not be as fully authentic as it can be.
Mass Offering Cards
We will gauge Mass attendance in a loving and gentle way that encourages participation in the liturgy! Children will be provided with “Mass Offering Cards”, upon which they may write their names, the date, and their prayer intentions, and they will be invited to drop their cards in a basket during the Offertory at Mass.
Required Documents
To be completed with Enrollment
Please complete the following required documents by September 28 and return by email to: Brian Deysher at mediaministry@iccmawah.org
or mail to:
Brian Deysher, Immaculate Conception Church, 900 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, NJ 007430
Enrollment
Enrollment for the 2025 - 2026 session is now open and will end on September 28th.
Click the Enroll button to complete your registration through our Parish Giving affiliate.
Enrollment will be facilitated utilizing a new platform through Parish Giving.
Please complete one form per family.
The enrollment fee is $100 per child and must be submitted at the time of enrollment.
There is a $50 Sacramental Fee for children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation.
Note for Confirmation Students:
Our Confirmation Preparation Program is a two-year program open to students in grades 7-12. If your child is of Confirmation age, and is new to our program, please select Confirmation Year 1.
After submitting payment, you should be able to select your child's session.
Families needing to make multiple payments should contact
Brian Deysher at mediaministry@iccmahwah.org.
Fee Structure
$100 per child includes everything for the 8-month program, including meals and materials.
$50 sacramental fee for students receiving their 1st Reconciliation/1st Eucharist or Confirmation
About the Family-Based Religious Education
This model of faith formation was featured in America Magazine on “Repairing Religious Education with Family Based Approach.”
Watch the interview by America Magazine.
About the Program
The program will be facilitated by Jennifer Perito and a team of catechists in the spirit of the family-based approach initiated by Dennis Corcoran.
View the 3 minute video to learn more about this year's program.
Want to Learn More or Need Help?
If you have any questions, please contact: ​​
Director of Religious Education
Assistant Administrative Assistant
​​Assistance is also provided by Parish Giving customer support if you encounter issues with any forms.
866-307-7140
Mark Your Calendars!
The mandatory Kick-Off Breakfast is
Sunday, September 28th
starting with Mass at 9:30 am and ending by 11:30 am
