Religious Education
Monday thru Thursday: 8:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Friday thru Sunday: Closed
Please email or call 703-378-9143 for appointments.
In-person classes
For children who attend public or private school and are in grades Kindergarten through 8th and those in high school who have not received their sacraments.
Tuesday classes: 4:45pm – 6:00pm & 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Wednesday classes: 4:45pm – 6:00pm & 7:00pm – 8:15pm
Missing Sacrament Program classes offered only during Wednesday, 7:00pm – 8:15pm session
Kindergarten classes are offered only during the 4:45-6:00pm class sessions.
Missing Sacraments & OCIC (Order of Christian Initiation for Children)
For children who are over the age of 7 and are not baptized (OCIC Program) or off of the Diocesan preparation timeline for receiving the sacraments of 1st Communion & Confirmation. Arlington Diocese requires a two year period of catechesis as preparation for the Sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. The recommended period of preparation for First Penance and First Communion is 1st and 2nd grades. The recommended period of preparation for Confirmation is 7th and 8th grades. Students that are off track of the recommended period of preparation are still required to complete the two year period of catechesis. Classes for these children are only offered on Wednesdays from 7-8:15pm.
Home Taught Program
For children who attend public school and are in grades Kindergarten through 8th and are on the Diocesan recommended timeline for reception of sacraments. An online version of the textbook and assessments are used for children in this program. Progress is monitored by the Religious Education Office. Children in sacrament preparation years (1st, 2nd, 7th & 8th) are required to take an exam in the Spring.
Sacrament Only
Children who fall under the following 2 categories should be registered in the Religious Education Program in order to receive the Sacraments of 1st Penance, 1st Communion & Confirmation at St. Timothy Parish.
Home Schooled
For children who receive instruction for all of their academic subjects at home. This includes instruction in religion using one of the Diocesan approved religion curriculums. This model assumes that the parents, as primary educators of their child’s faith formation, are preparing their children for receiving the sacraments.
Non-Diocesan Catholic Schools
For children who attend and receive their faith formation at a non-Diocesan Catholic school.
Fees:
**If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the Religious Education Of ice**
Early Bird Registration until August 7, 2026
1 child $100
2 children $150
3 or more children $200
Fees after August 7, 2026
1 child $150
2 children $200
3 or more children $250
Sacramental Fees (due with registration fee the year that Sacraments are being made)
1st Holy Communion $20
Confirmation $50
“The Church continues to affirm the dignity of every human being, and to grow in knowledge and understanding of the gifts and needs of her members who live with disabilities.” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
SPRED (SPecial REligious Development) is a parish-based program designed for children and young adults with special needs, ages 5 yrs and up. Joining together as a small faith community on Sundays from 3:00pm – 4:00pm a few times a month, this program provides faith formation and spiritual development. Gatherings typically involve participation in catechesis and joyful activities that include crafts, music and spiritual lessons with connections to the Mass, Scripture and daily life. Opportunities for preparation to receive the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist) are based on individual level of readiness.
To register for participation, please complete both the Diocesan SPRED Registration Form and the St. Timothy Religious Education Form. Copies of a birth certificate and Baptismal certificate are required for participants in all Religious Education Programs.
For more information about how to volunteer or participate in this program, please contact Cathy Edwards at spred@sttimothyparish.org or 703-378-9143.
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Mt. 28:19-20
As Baptized Catholics, we are called to spread the Faith to others. The Religious Education Program relies upon volunteers to teach the Catholic Faith to the children in our program. To volunteer as a catechist (teacher), one must be a practicing Catholic, baptized, confirmed and committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Please, prayerfully consider whether God is calling you to be a volunteer in the Religious Education Program.
Volunteer opportunities include catechists, assistant catechists, substitute catechists and hall/door monitors. Catechists are supported in preparing class lessons through provided teacher manuals and materials necessary for the lesson.
All adult volunteers who work with children in the Diocese of Arlington are required to complete necessary background check and Safe Environment/Virtus training through the Diocesan Office of Child Protection.
Download our First Communion and Confirmation Handbooks, this provides complete details about requirements to receive this Sacrament.
First Communion Handbook 2025 – 2026
7th and 8th Grade 2025-26
Confirmation Handbook
7th Grade Study Guide
8th grade Study Guide
Works of Mercy Project Suggestions
Confirmation Checklist for Students
There will be mandatory parent meetings in the Fall for parents of children preparing for reception of the Sacraments of 1st Communion & Confirmation.
- St. Joseph Videos
- Catholic Answers
- Video Shorts of Saints
- Background Checks (Protecting God’s Children)
- Virtus (Protecting God’s Children)
- Become aware of the VA Bishops concerns about FCPS Family Life Education curriculum and Opt Your Children Out.
- Arlington Catholic Herald
- Catholic Diocese of Arlington – YouTube
- Walk Humbly – Catholic Diocese of Arlington
- Word on Fire
- Father Mike Schmitz – YouTube
- Formed
- Catholic Online
- EWTN
- Daily Mass Readings & Sunday Gospel Resources
Religious Education Staff
The Core Elements
- The Sacramental life is central to developing and sustaining the Catholic Faith.
- The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Real Presence of our Lord in the Eucharist is the “source and summit” of our faith.
- The promotion of frequent reception of the Sacraments of Penance and Holy Eucharist.
With these elements, we seek to cultivate the hearts, minds, and souls of our students to their fullest potential.
- The Parents are recognized and respected as the primary educators of their children.
- The dignity of the individual, as a unique child of God, is nurtured and developed.
- The virtues are fostered and practiced in everyday life.
- The Gospel values which teach moral life as expressed in the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes, Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are professed, cultivated and practiced.
- The importance of prayer is stressed as a source for growth in the spiritual life. Holy Hours, Rosaries, Novenas, personal prayers, and Mass attendance are stressed and encouraged.
- Our Blessed Lady’s example, as the first disciple of Jesus, is our model.
- The Word of God is revered.
- We encourage a three-fold growth in Christ through learning about Christ through learning the faith (doctrine), prayer (conversation with Christ), and service (serving Christ through our neighbor-see Matt. 25: 40-45)
- The doctrine of the Catholic faith is presented in its fullness and entirety as both knowledge to be learned and a life to be lived.
- Reading and studying the lives of the saints as an example for our lives.