St. Matthew

In the Diocese of Charlotte,  at least two full consecutive years of formal religious education (Catholic school or Faith Formation) are necessary prior to receiving the sacrament of first holy Eucharist. Children may receive the sacrament of first Eucharist in the spring of second grade or older. 

FIRST YEAR: If a youth is in Catholic school, preparation takes place within the school.  If a youth is in public or private (not Catholic) school, preparation takes place in our YEAR 1 First Eucharist Faith Formation program for elementary, middle or high school youth.  To determine the proper placement for your child, please see the registration options below.

SECOND YEAR: Children prepare for and receive the sacraments of reconciliation and Holy Eucharist for the first time.  To determine the appropriate placement for YEAR 2 for your child, please see the registration options below.

2022-2023 First Eucharist Options

For specific questions or more detailed information, please contact Lori Mathews.

For a video explanation of our new confirmation and middle school programs, please CLICK HERE. Otherwise, read the following!

We understand that every youth’s faith journey is as unique as they are. Therefore, our Confirmation program combines flexible catechesis with countless parish life opportunities that inspire the youth to enter an active life of faith as a confirmed Catholic. The confirmation process takes place in two parts. The first is designed to strengthen the youth’s Catholic foundation and knowledge before they enter into the second part, which specifically prepares them for the sacrament. During both parts of process, regardless of what school a youth is attending, he or she is expected to be a part of parish life and youth ministry to prepare them for their life as a confirmed Catholic disciple.  Opportunities can be found on our YOUTH MINISTRY or BE THE CHURCH webpage.

PART ONE – INVITED (6th to 9th Grade): If a youth is in Catholic school, the first part of the confirmation process takes place within the school.  If a youth is in public or private (not Catholic) school, the first part of the process takes place within Faith Formation in our new INVITED program.  INVITED is six faith content courses offered in seven-week trimesters during the program year… how and when these courses are taken is up to the family.  Parents may choose to enroll for Fall and/or Winter and/or Spring or a full year depending upon the family and youth’s schedule.  Beginning in 2023, the courses will be offered as a summer option as well.  All six topics must be completed before a youth enters the IGNITE program.*

PART TWO – IGNITE (8th or 9th Grade): Once a youth is in eighth grade or older, and he or she has completed the INVITED program or at least one year of Catholic school prior to eighth grade, the second part of the process may begin – the IGNITE program.  Regardless of what school a youth is attending, this part of the process must be completed in the parish.  IGNITE is offered as a seven-week course that may be taken during the fall, winter or spring.  Included in the course is a day retreat for the parent and teen to participate in together, along with the sponsor if he or she is available.

*Due to the new programming, those youth entering eighth grade in fall, who have completed either Faith Formation or Catholic school in 2021-2022, will enter directly into IGNITE.  In addition, for this program year only those youth entering seventh grade will only be required to complete three of the INVITED topics.

RCIT (10th to 12th Grade): High school teens in 10th to 12th grade, who are coming into the Church who have not yet received all the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, First Eucharist and Confirmation) or those who have not been enrolled in Faith Formation for an extended period of time seeking only the sacrament of Confirmation.  Through a relaxed, small group setting, teens discover the teachings of the Catholic Church and what it means to live your life as a Catholic Christian in today’s world.

2022-2023 Confirmation Options

For questions, or more specific information, please contact Amy Bojarski.

One of St. Matthew’s sweetest and most loved programs is our Preschool-Kindergarten program which immerses children in their Catholic faith through an interactive curriculum which introduces them to the essential faith concepts and God’s mighty love! Children are placed in small groups of six to eight, and shepherded by two teen leaders.  The leaders guide the children through four lesson rotations that are lead by adults, bringing the Scripture and Liturgy alive through music, games, crafts and stories.

Children must be 3, 4 or 5 by August 31, 2022 to enroll, and must be fully toilet trained. 

Questions? Contact our Catholic Littles Coordinator, Becky Lennard for more information!

SUNDAY 9 to 10 am (Ballantyne)​

SUNDAY 10:45 to 11:45 am (Ballantyne)​

The Catholic Kids elementary years focus on the time preparing for and following the reception of first sacraments while supporting parents in forming young disciples!  Each grade has a particular focus, but overall the goals of our elementary programs are to encourage curiosity and discovery about our Catholic faith!

CLICK FOR OUR SUNDAY CATHOLIC KIDS CONNECTION!

2022-2023 Elementary Options

Questions?  Contact our Catholic Kids Elementary Coordinator, Michelle Lyberg.  

For information specific to preparing for First Eucharist, please see the “Sacramental Preparation” dropdown above.  Questions regarding sacraments may be directed to Lori Mathews.

Interested in Middle School Youth Group in addition to Faith Formation?  Visit EDGE YOUTH MINISTRY to learn more or contact Avery Utz!

Our new middle school programs are designed to provide families with flexible options when scheduling their child’s formation, and even more importantly, provide our Catholic Youth with the chance to form friendships with their peers and the opportunity to discover the joy and strength in a relationship with Christ as they prepare for the sacrament of confirmation and life as a Catholic teen in today’s world.  For a video explanation of our new confirmation and middle school programs, please CLICK HERE, otherwise, read the following.

The middle school years are broken into two distinct parts as youth grow in understanding of their own faith and prepare for the sacrament of confirmation.

PART ONE – INVITED (6th to 9th Grade): If a youth is in Catholic school, the first part of the confirmation process takes place within the school.  If a youth is in public or private (not Catholic) school, the first part of the process takes place within Faith Formation in our new INVITED program.  INVITED is six faith content courses offered in seven-week trimesters during the program year… how and when these courses are taken is up to the family.  Parents may choose to enroll for Fall and/or Winter and/or Spring or a full year depending upon the family and youth’s schedule.  Beginning in 2023, the courses will be offered as a summer option as well.  All six topics must be completed before a youth enters the IGNITE program.*

PART TWO – IGNITE (8th or 9th Grade): Once a youth is in eighth grade or older, and he or she has completed the INVITED program or at least one year of Catholic school prior to eighth grade, the second part of the process may begin – the IGNITE program.  Regardless of what school a youth is attending, this part of the process must be completed in the parish.  IGNITE is offered as a seven-week course that may be taken during the fall, winter or spring.  Included in the course is a day retreat for the parent and teen to participate in together, along with the sponsor if he or she is available.

*Due to the new programming, those youth entering eighth grade in fall, who have completed either Faith Formation or Catholic school in 2021-2022, will enter directly into IGNITE.  In addition, for this program year only those youth entering seventh grade will only be required to complete three of the INVITED topics.

2022-2023 Middle School Options

If you have specific questions, please contact Amy Bojarski.

Looking for volunteer opportunities?  Visit our BE THE CHURCH page!

For family service, formation and events, see our Family Discipleship dropdown above. 

Interested in Youth Group for you teen?  Visit LIFE TEEN YOUTH MINISTRY to learn more, or contact Sarah Jerome.

Our high school programs provide teens with the chance to form friendships with their peers and the opportunity to discover the joy and strength in a relationship with Christ as they prepare for all sacraments of initiation or just the sacrament of confirmation.

9th Grade: For the young teen preparing for a sacrament, their first year would take place in one of our Catholic Youth programs for First Eucharist or for Confirmation.  Please see the above dropdowns corresponding to the sacrament you are seeking for your teen.

10th to 12th Grade:  For these older, more independent teens we have designed our Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens (RCIT).  Whether your teen is preparing for baptism, Holy Eucharist or just confirmation, you will find the necessary information at the above dropdowns corresponding to the sacrament.

Looking for volunteer opportunities?  Visit our BE THE CHURCH page!

Our Family Connections program exists to support parents in fostering the faith at home and in all aspects of family life. Events are offered through the program year, and designed to offer families opportunities to serve, come together in community or just explore aspects of our faith in unique, tangible ways!

Family Connections Coordinator, Cat Sforza

Looking for volunteer opportunities?  Visit our BE THE CHURCH page!

SPRED (SPecial Religious EDucation) is a program of religious development specifically designed to meet the spiritual needs of persons of all ages with developmental disabilities and intellectual challenges. Through their participation in the SPRED Community of faith, our Special Friends are incorporated into the liturgical and sacramental life of the parish of St. Matthew. SPRED serves persons with special needs age six through adulthood.