Fallacy: “My child is 10 years old. He/she is too old to start Catechism classes”

Fact: The ideal age for a child to start Catechism classes is when he/she will be starting Grade 1 in a regular school. But there’s no need to worry. A child who is already 8 or 9 can still go to Catechism classes and be registered for Year 1 as we group the children by their age. For children who are 10 years old, they will be registered on Special Education Classes. Children 13 years old and above can register for Teen Catechism

Fallacy: “The child can receive the Sacrament of Communion right after they have completed Special Education Classes.”

Fact: For a child to be able to receive the Sacrament of Communion should complete 2 years of Catechism classes. After completing Special Education Classes, the child will be registered to the corresponding year level according to his/her age and after completing that year, he/she may receive the sacrament.

Fallacy:”My child will automatically beregistered the following year.”

The parent or guardian should register the child EVERY year, for we need to keep track of the number of students that we accept as we have limited class space.

Fallacy: "Registration Forms are given to the kids and sent home”

Fact: Before the end of the Catechism Year, a COMPLETION FORM with the guidelines for registration is sent home. The Completion Form has everything you need to know about the registration procedure.

Fallacy: “The day in which my child is registered will still be the same as the following year.”

Fact: Existing students are given an earlier registration schedule, usually during May or June. The “first come, first served” policy ensures that those who are able to register on their designated day and time during the registration period, have the liberty to choose the day that they want their child to be in. 

Fallacy: “Existing students who missed the registration period will still be given priority.”

Fact: Existing students are given the chance to register FIRST and then we open the registration to new students. This ensures that those who are already taking up Catechism Classes will still be able to continue on the following year. We can only accommodate so much that we cannot guarantee that those who missed the registration period will be given full priority.  

Fallacy: “There is no late fee for late registrants”

Fact: A second registration schedule for existing students who missed the first registration period is held to accommodate the students. A 50-dollar late fee per family is added to the registration fee and book cost. This late fee will be reflected on the family’s donation for the church and will be issued a tax receipt by the end of the year. However, we pray that you do not miss your child’s registration day. You may ask your friends to register your children if you are not able to come on the designated day of registration.

Fallacy: “New students who studied in Catholic Schools (outside of Canada) will be registered based on the year level that they have last completed.”

Fact: The curriculum for the Catechism Classes here in Winnipeg is different from that of the catholic schools especially if outside of Canada. If the child has not yet received the Sacrament of Communion and it is the child’s first time to be registered in Catechism, the child will be registered for Year 1. If the child has received the Sacrament of Communion, then the child will be registered for Year 4. 

Fallacy: “The year level which the child belongs to in school will be the same year level that they should belong to when they register for Catechism.”

Fact: To be able to receive the Sacrament of Communion, a child must complete 2 years of Catechism Classes. Years 4, 7 & 8 are mandatory year levels that a child must complete to be able to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please speak with the Catechism Coordinator so we can discuss about your specific situation.

Fallacy:”My child can stop attending Catechism Classes after he/she has received the Sacrament of Communion”

Fact: The Catechism Program of St. Peter’s is an 8-year program. After Year 2, the child will receive the Sacrament of Communion. The child should continue his/her Catechism classes until Year 8 as the Sacrament of Confirmation will be given at the end of this year level.

Fallacy: “Catechism Teachers can receive Registration Forms and payments”

Fact: The Parish Office needs to monitor the number of students that they accept for the following year that is why it is through them that registration is being made. 

Fallacy: “There is no regular Catechism Class during Children’s Masses, so my child can just stay at home. “

Fact: The Children’s Mass is essential on the faith formation of the children and it is through this learning experience that the children may have a deeper appreciation and understanding of the things that they learn in the classroom.  The Children’s Mass is celebrated every third Saturday, third Monday and third Wednesday of the month at 9:30AM for Saturdays, 7:00PM for Mondays and Wednesdays.