Our Lady of the Valley

Office of Religious Education

Payments for
​Faith Formation and Confirmation

There is NO online registration 

One Child - $125
Two Children - $200
Three children or more from same household $275
​
First Communion Retreat Fee - $20
 Confirmation Retreat Fee - $30

Catechist Resources

Jesus said to his disciples,
"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few".
​- Matthew 9:37

OFFICE HOURS

Our Religious Education Office Hours are as follows:
    • Monday: CLOSED
    • Tuesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    • Wednesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    • Thursday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
    • Friday: CLOSED
    • Saturday: CLOSED
    • Sunday: CLOSED

Faith Formation

Our Faith Formation Classes are comprised from grades
​ First through Eighth.

Our classes are on
​Tuesdays and Thursdays.

First Holy Communion

Parent Meeting Powerpoint

Confirmation

Confirmation Sponsor and Community Service Forms

Confirmation Sponsor Eligibility Forms
File Size: 1417 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Confirmation Service Project Log Sheet
File Size: 110 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Junior High Youth Group

Our Junior High Youth Group is for students in 7th and 8th Grade.

Our classes are on Tuesday's.

RCIA for Adults

RCIA is for Adults who have not yet received their sacraments or for others looking to grow in their knowledge of the Catholic Faith.

Quinceanera's

Fill out our Form and return it to the Parish Office. Quinceaneras need to be enrolled in Faith Formation pior to celebrating the quince liturgy.
Quinceanera Form
File Size: 243 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Quinceanera Readings for Ambo_EN
File Size: 34 kb
File Type: docx
Download File
Quinceanera Readings for Ambo_SP
File Size: 33 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

Catechist Resources

🌱 UNIVERSAL CORE (All Age Groups)
(Great “first stop” tools for every catechist)
​
🔹 USCCB (Primary Reference)
🔗 https://www.usccb.org
Best uses
  • Doctrine verification
  • Sacramental norms
  • Moral teachings
  • Liturgical calendar
⭐ Catechist tip: Use when preparing lessons to ensure accuracy.
 
🔹 Vatican Website
🔗 https://www.vatican.va
Best uses
  • Official documents
  • Catechism
  • Papal writings
  • Councils
✅ Gold-standard authority
 
🔹 Ascension Presents (Free Video Library)
🔗 https://ascensionpress.com/pages/ascension-presents
Best uses
  • Lesson warm-ups
  • Teen engagement
  • Parent formation
  • Catechist prep
⭐ Especially effective for junior high & high school
 
 
🧸 ELEMENTARY (K–5)
Focus: stories, visuals, foundational truths
 
⭐ Loyola Press (VERY catechist-friendly)
🔗 https://www.loyolapress.com
Why it’s excellent
  • Strong Jesuit educational tradition
  • Classroom-ready materials
  • Seasonal activities
  • Saint resources
Best for
✅ Lesson ideas
✅ Worksheets
✅ Family catechesis
✅ Sacramental prep support
⭐ OLV note: Extremely helpful for volunteer catechists.
 
⭐ Catholic Icing (hands-on activities)
🔗 https://www.catholicicing.com
Best for
  • Crafts
  • Liturgical year activities
  • Visual learners
  • Feast day projects
✔ Faithful and widely used
⚠️ Use as supplemental (not doctrinal primary)
 
⭐ Word on Fire Kids resources (free articles/videos)
🔗 https://www.wordonfire.org
Best for
  • Beauty-based evangelization
  • Short kid-friendly explanations
  • Family resources
 
 
🧭 JUNIOR HIGH (6–8)
Focus: identity, belonging, basic apologetics
 
⭐ Life Teen — Free Resources Section
🔗 https://lifeteen.com
Best uses
  • Middle school engagement
  • Retreat ideas
  • Icebreakers
  • Youth nights
✔ Faithful and parish-tested
✔ Very engaging for this age
⭐ Pro tip: Filter for “Edge” (middle school).
 
⭐ Busted Halo
🔗 https://bustedhalo.com
Best for
  • Teen questions
  • Short explainer articles
  • Modern faith connections
✔ Run by Paulist Fathers
✔ Good bridge resource
 
⭐ Ascension Presents (again — VERY strong here)
Particularly good videos for:
  • Why be Catholic
  • Confession
  • Eucharist
  • Moral questions
 
 
🔥 HIGH SCHOOL (9–12)
Focus: discipleship, apologetics, ownership of faith
 
⭐ Word on Fire Institute (free articles & videos)
🔗 https://www.wordonfire.org
Best uses
  • Theology depth
  • Culture & faith
  • Evangelization mindset
✔ Bishop Barron’s ministry
✔ Strong intellectual credibility
 
⭐ Catholic Answers
🔗 https://www.catholic.com
Best for
  • Apologetics
  • Tough questions
  • Doctrine clarity
  • Teen curiosity phase
⭐ Catechist note: Great for Confirmation prep discussions.
 
⭐ Life Teen (High School track)
🔗 https://lifeteen.com
Best for
  • Confirmation classes
  • Youth nights
  • Small group discussion guides
 
 
📚 SACRAMENTAL PREP (All Youth)
These are especially helpful for Confirmation teams at OLV.
 
⭐ Dynamic Catholic (some free resources)
🔗 https://www.dynamiccatholic.com
Best uses
  • Confirmation prep
  • Habit building
  • Simple spirituality
  • Parent engagement
 
⭐ iBreviary (prayer formation)
🔗 https://www.ibreviary.org/en/
Best for
  • Teaching teens to pray
  • Introducing Liturgy of the Hours
  • Deepening spirituality
 
🧑‍🏫 CATECHIST FORMATION (IMPORTANT FOR YOUR TEAM)
These help YOUR volunteers grow — highly recommended.
 
⭐ CatechismClass.com Free Resources
🔗 https://www.catechismclass.com
Best for
  • Catechist development
  • Lesson structure ideas
  • Theology refreshers
 
⭐ Franciscan at Home
🔗 https://franciscanathome.com
Best for
  • Catechist certification
  • Ongoing formation
  • Parish ministry training