PACT/Religious Education 2024-25

At St. Mary’s in Dumont, New Jersey Religious Education is called PACT/Religious Education rather than “CCD” or “Catechism Class.” PACT stands for Parents And Children Together!

To pass the faith to others, including our children is part of the Call to Missionary Discipleship issued by Pope Francis.

We are here for you!

All parish children who are not attending a Catholic School in the Fall need to be signed up for our PACT Program! To find out more about Religious Education and sacrament preparation at St. Mary’s, call (201) 384-0557 extension 20 or e-mail religioused@stmarysdumont.org

Our Religious Education Office can assist those seeking information on enrollment in our programs leading to First Penance, First Communion, and Confirmation.

Adults interested in becoming Catholic or seeking to complete the sacraments of initiation are invited to enroll in our RCIA program. For more information on RCIA, contact Kathy Sylvester kathy@stmarysdumont.org.

Returning PACT/ Religious Education families

  • Be sure that your family’s re-registration is submitted. Schedules will be sent out soon!

New Families

  • At St. Mary’s, children in grades 1-8 who are not attending a Catholic school attend our PACT/Religious Education Program (we also have a section of Kindergarten!).
  • One or both parents attend; parent sessions are held while PACT is in session.
  • Parents of families new to our PACT/Religious Education Program attend a brief orientation meeting. To schedule a meeting or for more information e-mail us at religioused@stmarysdumont.org or call (201) 384- 0557 Extension 20.

Call for Catechists!

  • We have several openings for volunteers to serve as catechists.
  • Most catechists commit to be at St. Mary’s once or twice per month.
  • Regular PACT/Religious Education is held Sundays before the 10:00 a.m. mass.
  • Sacramental Preparation sessions are held on weeknights in the early evening.

Volunteer Information

  • We will help you with the volunteer process required of all who volunteer for or work in all parishes and schools of our Archdiocese of Newark:
    • A full application is required of all volunteers and potential employees 18 years of age and older.
    • All volunteers 18 or older are required by our Archdiocese of Newark to attend a Protecting God’s Children seminar. If you never attended a session or it has been several years and you need to attend an updated session, Protecting God’s Children is being offered here at St. Mary’s Monday, 9/16/24 in the school beginning with coffee an’ at 6:15 p.m.  Attendees need to register for Protecting God’s Children in advance online at www.virtus.org. The St. Mary’s session and other offerings are found under the Archdiocese of Newark.