Christian Formation / Education

 Adult Formation Programs

       Each year Sacred Heart offers programs to enlighten and edify the adults of the parish. Ever mindful of the need to continue to grow in faith, these programs on scripture and faith help all adults to deepen their understanding of discipleship.

       The next Bible study will be "The Bible and the Church Fathers," published by the St. Paul Institute. The study groups will meet once per week to watch and discuss a 30-minute video by Matthew Leonard. There will be two groups: One will meet on Tuesdays at 6:30 PM beginning Sept. 24th, and the other will meet on Wednesdays at 1:00 PM beginning Sept. 25th. Please call the Parish Office to sign up.

 Children’s Liturgy of the Word

       During the 11:00 a.m. Mass each Sunday, children aged 4 to 6 years old can attend the Children's Liturgy of the Word. The children are dismissed before the Sunday readings and go to the Rectory Meeting Room with a catechist. The children are presented a religious learning program while the parents attend Sunday Mass.

 Marriage Preparation

       Marriage preparation is required for all couples planning to be married in the Church. Couples begin a program after they have begun their preparation with a priest or deacon.

       The Preparing for Christian Marriage Program is a series of videos and discussions sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Louis to help you better prepare for your marriage. This series is held monthly in various locations throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Various topics are discussed to prepare the engaged couple for marriage. Reservations are required for this program and there is a fee per couple.

       The Engaged Encounter Weekend is a weekend away with other engaged couples with time alone together to plan the marriage. It is designed to give couples planning marriage the opportunity to dialogue honestly and intensively about their prospective lives together. These are held at an area retreat center.

       For further information on any of these programs, call the parish office at 636-937-4662 or the Office of Laity and Family Life at 314-792-7180.

 Full Time School – Our Lady School

       Quality Catholic education is available to Sacred Heart parishioners at Our Lady School in Festus. Along with excellent academic programs, the school provides the Christian environment many families are looking for today. Sacred Heart Parish subsidizes the cost of educating our children at Our Lady School. Tracy Kempfer is the principal. For more information, call Our Lady School at 937-5008.

 Partners In Education

       A special program was started when Sacred Heart School closed to help parents with the cost of tuition to Our Lady School. The Partners in Education is funded by donations through a special envelope quarterly in the collection envelopes or by special donations. Interested families can fill out an application and meet with the Finance Committee.

 Parish School of Religion (PSR)

       A program of religious education is provided for all students in grades 1-8 who attend public schools. PSR classes are held in conjunction with Our Lady in Festus. There is a need for teachers as well as volunteers to help with this program. Please call the Our Lady Parish Office at 636-937-5513.

Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (O.C.I.A.)

       O.C.I.A. is the process by which adults become members of the Roman Catholic Church. The process is concerned with the total formation of the person into believing with the Church community (doctrinal formation), living with the Church community (practical formation), praying with the Church community (liturgical formation), and serving with the Church community (apostolic formation). This gradual development culminates in their Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist at Easter time. For more information on joining the Catholic faith or becoming a Catechist or Sponsor, please call the Parish Office.