St. Monica’s Elementary Faith Formation program is a friendly community of children (grades 1-5) growing strong in faith and in authentic love for the Lord! It is our joy and mission to share the treasure of the Gospel as well as our rich Catholic tradition with the next generation. We are pleased to help students form a steadfast, reasoned Christian mindset and to live, and trust, in the peace of Our Lord, daily. Our program year runs September thru May, concurrent with the Mercer Island School District calendar closures.
Grades 1-2: Preparation for 1st Communion & 1st Reconciliation
Our First and Second Grade program years of Elementary Faith Formation are the required years of preparation for children to receive the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Reconciliation. This a 2-year program:
- 1st Grade is a Prerequisite Year. Our classes use the Word of Life curriculum by Augustine Institute, which centers on the kerygmatic proclamation to share the gospel of Jesus while also connecting faith and reason to help form a Christian mindset as a practical orientation for life. (The Archdiocese of Seattle requires a prerequisite year for all children seeking First Communion. Attending the 1st Grade Faith Formation classes, St. Monica’s School, or another Catholic School, satisfies this obligation.)
- 2nd Grade is the Sacrament Year. Our classes this year lead up to and conclude with the First Communion Mass. Our classes use the Signs of Grace program by Augustine Institute. (The Archdiocese of Seattle requires that children seeking First Communion be prepared through participation in a First Communion class. This requirement can also be fulfilled through the sacramental prep classes at St. Monica School which take place during regular school hours.)
2025-2026 Program Information
Our program year begins on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Classes are held on Sundays from 10:00AM-10:50AM. Classes will be held at St. Monica Catholic Church (4301 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040). Program registration for 1st and 2nd Grades closes on October 5. After this date, families must wait another year to continue their preparation.
Click here to read a letter outlining the requirements for First Communion.
For more information, please contact:
Heather Miller-Martin, PA for Sacraments
heather@stmonicami.org or 206-232-2900 x.130.
Grades 3-5: Preteen Formation
New to our program is the
Word of Life curriculum by Augustine Institute.
Word of Life is faithful, doctrinal Catholic teaching relevant for our modern culture. It centers on the kerygmatic proclamation to share the gospel of Jesus while also connecting faith and reason to help form a Christian mindset as a practical orientation for life. We are excited to launch this authentic and dynamic course of study this year!
2025-2026 Program Information
Our program year
begins on Sunday, September 28, 2025. Classes are held on Sundays from
10:00AM-10:50AM. Classes will be held at St. Monica Catholic Church (4301 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040).
For more information, please contact:
Melissa Stewart, PA for Faith Formation
faithforward@stmonicami.org or 206-232-2900 x.112.
Order of Christian Initiation for Children (OCIC)
OCIC is a comprehensive program that presents the key doctrinal points of Catholicism for those with minimal catechesis, or as a review, in readiness for the Sacraments. The curriculum follows William H. Sadlier’s
One Faith, One Lord for older children and
Our Catholic Faith for younger children to encourage a young person’s knowledge of our Catholic faith through relationship with Jesus Christ, and His Church.
2025-2026 Program Information
This year's OCIC classes will be
starting Sunday, October 5, 2025. The classes will be offered on Sundays from
11:10AM to 12:10PM. Classes will be held at St. Monica Catholic Church (4301 88th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040).
Click here to register your child for OCIC!
Click here for the current Faith Formation Class Calendar (which includes OCIC).
For more information, please contact:
Heather Miller-Martin, PA for Sacraments
heather@stmonicami.org or 206-232-2900 x.130.
Melissa Stewart, PA for Faith Formation
faithforward@stmonicami.org or 206-232-2900 x.112.
Volunteer Catechists
St. Monica Parish is thankful for the dedicated volunteers who share the Faith by teaching and assisting in Sunday Faith Formation classes. Evangelization is the Church's deepest identity, bringing the life-giving Gospel to all. As baptized Catholics, we are all stewards of the Faith. Stewardship is an expression of discipleship rooted in a personal relationship with Christ. Good stewards generously share their gifts and blessings with others for the sake of the Kingdom, transforming the world as witnesses in faith, hope and love.
Do you feel called to serve in a Catechist role? For more information, please contact:
Melissa Stewart, PA for Faith Formation
faithforward@stmonicami.org or 206-232-2900 x.112.
Vacation Bible School Recap
Many thanks to all who helped make our 2025 Vacation Bible School a huge success! Our campers learned about Joseph’s journey with the One True God, and how we are all part of God’s family. Click here (or use the embedded player below) to watch our Egyptian adventurers perform their favorite song! Thank you to all who joined us in Egypt, may you have a blessed summer!
