Grade School For more than a century Cathedral School has served the children of Portland. Affiliated with St. Mary’s Cathedral and located in downtown Portland it draws students from throughout the metropolitan area. The web site address for Cathedral School is www.cathedral-or.org.

Religious Education for Children Attending Public School The Sunday School of Religion program consists of about 22 sessions during the academic year. These sessions take place in the classrooms of Cathedral School on Sunday mornings, from 10:05 - 10:55 am. Registration is in mid August-September through the parish office. For 2011-12, classes will begin on October 2. Registration forms may be picked up at the display case at the entrances to the church. Return the completed form to Stephine Fisher-Hunt at the address at the bottom of the form or to the parish office.  Attention: Religious Education parents of First Communicants   Children not attending Cathedral School, who will receive First Communion as Second Graders are required to have two years of Religious Education prior to receiving First Communion.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word Takes place every Sunday during the 9am Mass. Before the first reading, children age four through fourth grade are invited to leave with their teachers for instruction appropriate for their age. They return to sit with their parents after the homily.

Sacramental Preparation Our children are prepared for Reconciliation (Confession) and Eucharist over the course of the second grade. Our children receive instruction either as a student at Cathedral School or participating in our Sunday School of Religion. However, as in all areas of Faith, the parent remains the primary catechist and determines the child’s readiness for the Sacraments. The Parish asks that the families of all children celebrating the Sacraments be registered members of St. Mary’s Cathedral and the child be enrolled in either the Sunday School of Religion or Cathedral School. Children not attending Cathedral School, who will receive First Communion as Second Graders in May of 2012, must be enrolled in the Sunday School of Religion for First Grade in Fall of 2010. Two years of Religious Education is now required to receive First Communion. Children who will be entering Second Grade in Fall of 2009 will be grandfathered in and receive First Communion in May of 2010. If a child is beyond second grade, please call the Parish Office to arrange for preparation. Important dates to remember for 2010-2011 are:

Thursday, December 2 at 7pm  Cathedral Center: Parent’s Meeting on Reconciliation. We will meet for about one hour discussing the Sacrament and questions and answers about the program.

Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 7pm Cathedral Center: Parent’s Meeting on the Eucharist.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 6:30pm Cathedral Church: First Reconciliation. Families are invited to participate in the service.

Sunday, April 10, 2011 from 2-4pm Cathedral Church: Parents and Child First Eucharist Retreat.

Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 9am Cathedral Church: Celebration of First Eucharist.

Please Note: If your child was not baptized at the Cathedral, we will need a copy of his/her Baptismal Certificate from the parish of Baptism.

RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) This exploration of Catholic beliefs and practices is for adults who wish to find out about our Catholic Church. The process begins in September and goes until Easter. Although those who participate are not pressured to become Catholic, many do. Some are baptized. Those who are already baptized in another Christian denomination make a Profession of Faith. These sessions are also attended by baptized Catholics who know little about their faith and wish to learn more. Sessions are on Wednesday evenings 7-8:30pm. Call the office for more information. For 2011-2012 year, the RCIA classes have began on Wednesday, September 7 in the Cathedral Center. Enter from NW 17th Street. Following the main presentation (about 50 minutes), there is a break for refreshments, and then a follow-up session. During the seven months of meetings (with a break during Christmas), there are about 26 sessions plus attendance at rites that are held on weekends: The Rite of Enrollment; The Rite of Election; and the three Scrutinies (on successive weekends during Lent). There is also a day retreat the weekend before Easter. To register, please call the parish office.

Various Programs of Study of Sacred Scripture or some aspect of our Catholic faith take place throughout the year. For information about these programs, please go to the Adult Education page, the Sunday Bulletin, the religion page of the Saturday Oregonian, or the Catholic Sentinel.