Register for Faith Formation

Children’s faith formation at St. John the Beloved aims to support parents in their efforts to help their children encounter God so that they become life-long disciples of Jesus. We seek to accomplish this by helping children build a real friendship with Christ through prayer, sacraments, scripture, and the teachings of Jesus handed down to us by the Catholic Church. Our program includes:

• Instruction in the truths of the Catholic faith.
• Formation in prayer: learning how to encounter God through prayer, sacraments, and Scripture.
• Helping youth to form habits of virtue.

We recognize and respect parents as the primary educators of their children, and our weekly program strives to support parents in this important task of sharing the Catholic faith with their children. It is our joy and privilege to help parents in this endeavor through:

• Providing activities for families to continue formation at home.
• Parent sheets for each grade so you can connect with your child about what they are doing on Tuesday nights.
• Online resources to equip you to have meaningful conversations about faith with your children.
• Sacramental preparation that engages both parents and children.
• Monthly parent nights that include social time and adult catechesis.

Faith Formation sessions for the 2026-27 school year will take place on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 8:00pm for children in kindergarten through 8th grade.

Sacrament Preparation

• Baptism: for children under the age of 7, please contact the parish office. For older children, contact Michael Jacobeen.
• First Confession and First Communion: Preparation for these sacraments usually begins in 1st grade, and children receive both sacraments in 2nd grade. Our Tuesday night program includes this preparation in 1st and 2nd grades. If your child is older, we will work with you to craft a preparation plan that works for your child.
• Confirmation: Confirmation is usually received in the spring of 8th grade, and requires a two-year preparation. Our Tuesday night program offers this preparation beginning in 7th grade. If your child is older, contact us and we’ll work with you to prepare your teen.

Click here to register!

Contact us:

Michael Jacobeen
Director of Faith Formation
(703) 356-5275, mjacobeen@stjohncatholicmclean.org

Theresa Carrescia
Assistant Director of Faith Formation
tcarrescia@stjohncatholicmclean.org