For 2026-27, 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. First In-Person: Sunday, September 20th from 10:30 am-noon Parish Center
This year we are using the Youth Catechism (YouCat) over 20 weeks. YouCat is a catechism derived from the adult Catechism of the Catholic Church for our youth. It aims to educate participants in knowledge of the Catholic faith, but also to encourage them to be witnesses to Christ in an increasingly diverse and demanding cultural context. The format includes Questions-and-Answers, highly-readable commentary, margin pictures and illustrations, summary definitions of key terms, Bible citations, and quotes from the Saints and other great teachers. We trust it will be a transformative journey of faith for students.
Fall Registration will begin Monday, August 24th online. It is available under Faith Formation Tab on our website; nothing to print, just fill out and submit! Or stop by then 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.
2026-27 Registration fees: $100/child or $200/family maximum.
Contact the parish office 508-693-0342 for more information; or email Sue Pagliccia sue@goodshepherdmv.com Sue and Esther Deming are faith formation leaders.
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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 12/13) 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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Calendar 2026-27 Youth Catechism (YouCat) 7th & 8th Grade and HS (click on link)
In-Person: from 10:30am -noon Parish Center; or time as noted when at St. Augustine’s
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, begins Sept 12/13, 2026. Remember to fill out the Sunday Mass Questions 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, etc.), or out in wider island community. 10-20 hours