We seek to help children and their families know and love our Lord JESUS while learning about and growing in our CATHOLIC FAITH. Through our time together, our hope is that all children will come to know their true identities as BELOVED children of God while we share and explore the Good News of the Gospel. At the heart of our mission is our Lord Jesus Christ and the hope for our children and their families grow in intimate and authentic relationship with Him.

We seek to create the foundation for lifelong faith formation in partnership with our parents by encouraging active participation in our Catholic faith at home, in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church and in our St. Lawrence Martyr community.

Our faith formation sessions are intended for children in grades first through fifth not attending Catholic schools. It also includes the two-year required sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion and First Reconciliation. This preparation usually occurs during a child’s first and second grades but is open to all baptized children up to 5th Grade. Sacramental preparation is enriched through parent participation in our monthly Family of Faith sessions.

 For baptized children in 6th, 7th and 8th Grade, please contact Susan Mills to talk about our Middle School First Communion Process.

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We offer weekday session for children in Grades First through Fifth not attending a Catholic school. Sessions for children in Year 1 and Year 2 (First Communion preparation process) are offered on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays. In addition to the weekday sessions, we gather monthly for Sunday family sessions. Post Communion sessions for children in Grades Three to Five who have received First Communion are offered on Tuesdays only. 

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Faith Formation for Children in Grades 1-5
including sacramental preparation for First Holy Communion

Our faith formation sessions for children include the two-year preparation required by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. This preparation usually begins in a child's first grade year but is open to any baptized child in first to fourth Grade. Reception of the sacraments occur in the spring of the second year. (If your child is in middle school, contact Susan Mills at 310-316-4460 to discuss your situation.)

WEEKDAY SESSIONS for CHILDREN: Sessions for children in Year 1 and Year 2 (includes First Communion preparation) are offered on either Tuesdays or Wednesdays afternoons and begin October 7, 2025.

FAMILY SESSIONS for CHILDREN PREPARING FOR FIRST COMMUNION: First Communion preparation for children in Year 1 and Year 2 requires parent attendance of our Family of Faith sessions once a month from October through April. Family of Faith sessions are held on Sunday after the 9:00 am Mass. Our first Sunday session will be OCTOBER 19, 2025.

FIRST RECONCILIATION AND FIRST COMMUNION RETREATS: Children receiving their sacraments in 2026 must attend a First Reconciliation Retreat in March 2026 and a First Holy Communion retreat in April 2026. At least one parent is required to attend with child.

FIRST COMMUNIONS for 2026: First Holy Communions will be in May 2026 at our regularly scheduled Sunday liturgies. More detailed information about selecting your child's First Communion Mass will be sent to parents of children enrolled in Year 2.

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Families of Faith Sunday Sessions
for families with children preparing for First Communion

First Communion preparation for children in Year 1 and Year 2 requires parent & child attendance at our Families of Faith sessions once a month from October through April. Family of Faith sessions are held one Sunday each month following the 9:00 am Mass. Our first session will be OCTOBER 19, 2025.

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Continuing Faith Formation for Children in Grades 3 to 5
(for children who have already received First Holy Communion)

After you child has received their First Communion, we invite you to continue your child's faith formation journey with us. Our hope is that your child may continue to grow and learn about Jesus' loving presence in their life and learn more about a Catholic faith lived in community. We offer continuing Faith Formation for children in grades 3rd through 5th on Tuesday afternoons at 4:00 to 5:15 pm. Our first session for the 2025-2026 year is Tuesday, October 7th.

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Required Registration Items:

• Completed Registration Form
• Baptismal Certificate (if not baptized at St. Lawrence Martyr or previously submitted)
• Signed Parent/Guardian Noncommercial Release for Minor
• Signed Empowering God’s Children Acknowledgement Form
• Signed Emergency Form
• Payment of Registration Fee

Registration Fee for 2025-2026*
First Communion Year 1 & 2: $175
Post-Communion - Grades 3, 4, 5: $125

Family Discount:
2 children - $25 total discount
3 children - $50 total discount
4 children - $75 total discount
Fee includes all child sessions, curriculum material, supplies and family sessions.

Non-parishioner Fee:
* There is an additional $50 family fee for non-parishioners.

(No child/family is ever turned away due to inability to pay. If you would like to discuss any special circumstances, please contact Susan Mills at [email protected] or 310-316-4460.)

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Parent Support & Enrichment: In support of our parents, we offer small group faith enrichment and prayer groups for our parents. We also offer occasional Parent Education Sessions to help support and guide our parents in their roles as the primary educators of their children. We affirm that parents are the first and most important witnesses of the faith and builders of a child’s faith. We are here to partner with them.

Family Formation at Home: We affirm that our Catholic faith is nurtured most deeply in the home and we invite our families to supplement your child's faith formation at St. Lawrence Martyr with at home family faith sharing activities and assignments.  

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Susan Mills, Director of Religious Education
Direct Number: 310.316.4460
Email Address: [email protected]

Click to email: [email protected]