For 2025-26, our 7th/8th graders and high schoolers (not in Conf. Prep) will again meet on Sundays once a month at the Parish Center, Oak Bluffs, from 10:30 am-12 noon.
Fall Registration began Monday, August 25th online. I will take late comers registering through Oct. 3rd. It is available under Faith Formation Tab on our website; nothing to print, just fill out and submit! Or stop by during regular office hours M-W & F 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. Completed forms and payment are expected before sessions begin. Payment can be made under our online giving platform, by check (made out to: Good Shepherd Parish) or with cash. A new medical information/student release form has to be filled out each year, and please upload or bring a copy of the child’s sacrament certificates: if he/she wasn’t baptized here on Martha’s Vineyard, and/or First Communion, if celebrated off island.
Confirmation is currently celebrated in ninth grade. The diocesan requirement is 2 years of preparation prior to receiving the Sacrament, which is typically in the spring of freshman year; otherwise Confirmation will be delayed until obligations are met.
2025-26 Registration fees: $100/child or $200/family maximum.
Contact the parish office 508-693-0342 for more information; or email Sue Pagliccia, formation leader: sue@goodshepherdmv.com
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Sessions will be offered weekly to be completed at home, with a monthly gathering at the parish center. Sunday Mass attendance is mandatory (sign-in book at main entrances begins Sept 6/7) along with responses to questions about the weekly Gospel and Father’s homily on our website https://goodshepherdmv.com/student-sunday-mass-questions/. Student is required to answer whether attended Mass or missed.
If families are off island, the student is expected to bring a bulletin signed by the priest at off-island Church. Students (ideally with his/her family) will be expected to come to the Sacrament of Confession at a minimum during Advent/Lent, Stations of the Cross at least once, spend time in Eucharistic Adoration and give some time in service to the parish and/or community. Video links and worksheets will be provided at the first in-person session and/or emailed weekly.
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Schedule 2025-26 Encounter/The Great Adventure: God’s Plan in Scripture 7th & 8th Grade and HS
In-Person: 10:30-noon Parish Center; or time as noted when at St. Augustine’s
Sunday Date: Weekly Lessons
2025
Sept. 21, 2025 Chapter 1: Finding the Story ENCOUNTER 1 video
Sept. 28, 2025 Chapter 2: The Early World Part I, God creates our first parents
Oct. 5, 2025 Chapter 3: The Early World Part II, God’s family grows ENCOUNTER 2 video
Oct. 12, 2025 Chapter 4: Patriarchs Part I, God chooses Abraham to become the father of many
Oct. 19, 2025 Chapter 5: Patriarchs Part II, God blesses Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph
Oct. 26, 2025 Chapter 6: Egypt and Exodus Part I, God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian slavery; & test ENC 3 video
Nov. 2, 2025 Chapter 7: Egypt and Exodus Part II, God forms the Israelite nation
Nov. 9, 2025 Chapter 8: Desert Wanderings, The Israelites follow God in the desert
Nov. 16, 2025 Chapter 9: Conquest and Judges Part I, The Israelites enter the Promised Land
Nov. 23, 2025 Chapter 10: Conquest and Judges Part II, The Judges lead the Israelite tribes ENC 4 video
Nov. 30, 2025 Thanksgiving Weekend – no lessons
Dec. 7, 2025 Chapter 11: Royal Kingdom Part I, The Israelites ask for a King
Dec. 8, 2025 at St. A’s MON. 6PM Mass for Immaculate Conception (Holy Day), Adoration & Confession
Dec. 14, 2025 Chapter 12: Royal Kingdom Part II, God builds a House through David & Solomon
Dec. 21, 2025 Chapter 13: Divided Kingdom Part I, Kingdom of Israel divides—events in North; & test ENC 5 video
Dec. 28, 2025 Christmas Break – no lessons
2026
Jan. 1, 2026 at St. A’s THURS. 6PM Mass for Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day)
Jan. 4, 2026 Chapter 14: Divided Kingdom Part II, The Kingdoms of Israel & Judah are conquered—events in South
Jan. 11, 2026 Chapter 15: Exile, the Exiles mourn over Jerusalem; & Safe Environment Lesson ENC 6 video
Jan. 18, 2026 Chapter 16: Return, the Exiles return to Jerusalem
Jan. 25, 2026 Chapter 17: Maccabean Revolt, the Maccabees defend the faith
Feb. 1, 2026 Chapter 18: Messianic Fulfillment Part I, Jesus, Son of God, is born of Mary
Feb. 8, 2026 Chapter 19: Messianic Fulfillment Part II, Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God
Feb. 15, 2026 at St. A’s 10AM-noon Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament & The Rosary & test chapters 13-17; ENC 7 video
Chapter 20: Messianic Fulfillment Part III, Jesus establishes the New Covenant
Feb. 22, 2026 School Vacation Week – no lessons
March 1, 2026 Chapter 21: The Church Part I, The Holy Spirit ignites the Church
March 3, 2025 at St. A’s TUES. 6PM — Stations of the Cross and Confession or see 3/20/26
March 8, 2026 Chapter 22: The Church Part II, The Apostles spread the Gospel
March 15, 2026 Chapter 23: The Church Part III, All are welcome in the Church
Chapter 24: The Church Part IV, The Kingdom of God is Eternal
March 20, 2026 at St. A’s FRI. 6PM — Stations of the Cross and Confession or see 3/3/26
March 22, 2026 Last in person session–review and final test chapters 18-24 ENC 8 video
Lessons must be completed each week, videos (if missed) & workbooks.
Sunday Mass attendance is mandatory. Sign in at the main entrance at either St. Augustine’s or St. Elizabeth’s every week. Remember to fill out the 3 Questions form online, regarding that Mass, and submit by Tuesday of same week. If off-island, bring in a Church bulletin, signed by the priest there. Also, answer if/why you missed Mass.
Sacrament of Confession mandatory at least one time during both Advent and Lent (scheduled).
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, outside of Sunday Mass is mandatory, minimum of 2x (scheduled).
Stations of the Cross mandatory at least one time during Lent (scheduled).
Community Service mandatory whether through our parish (Halloween, Xmas tea, food pantry, Mass greeters/baskets/clean pew areas after Mass, atrium, Tisbury St Fair), or out in wider island community. 10-20 hours