The School of Religious Education (SRE/CCD)
712 East Beach Blvd.
Long Beach, MS 39560
Dave Gauthier ~ Religious Education Coordinator
Office Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
228-596-8835 - ReligiousEducation@saintthomaslb.org
“Acknowledging our children as God’s precious gifts to us and grateful for their presence in our lives, we commit our mind, our heart, and our soul wholeheartedly to instruct our children in the Catholic faith, to guide them in the reception of the sacraments, and to live as role models for our children so that God’s gracious presence may continue to be the essential part of their being.
We, as teachers of religious education, strive to work in cooperation with the parents in the realization that they are the primary religious educators of their children, and that as a community of faith, we seek to assist the parents in the important tasks of instructing and guiding their children to a better understanding and a deeper appreciation of their Catholic faith.”
SRE/CCD seeks to nourish this growing faith with religious instructions for children in Pre-Kindergarten through High School. Classes begin in September and run through May. Pre-registration through the Religious Education Office is necessary before being assigned to a classroom. All St. Thomas children who do not attend a Catholic school can be registered in the Religious Education SRE/CCD Program.
Classes for pre-school (ages 3 and 4) and for Kindergarten through 5th Grade are held on Sunday mornings from 10:10 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. in athe Religious Education Center located behind the church.
Classes for lower grades begin on Sunday, September 10, 20223 See this link for the full schedule: SRE Schedule 2023/2024
Classes for 6th through 12th Graders are held on Sunday evenings after the 5:30pm Mass.
SACRAMENT OF FIRST EUCHARIST/HOLY COMMUNION:
The Sacraments of First Reconciliation Read More
First Holy Communion. Read More
Both are received in the 2nd grade
Registrations are open for the 2023-2024 School of Religious Education.
Registration fee is $25 per student, or $40 per family. The fee can be paid in advance through the parish web site at For SRE (Grades PreK through 5th) There is a registration fee of $25 per child or $40 per family payable on the parish web site at Fees. Special instructions: When asked for “Envelope Number” insert “9999”. In the final text box enter “SRE Registration.”
For returning families, watch for an email with instructions for registering for the upcoming year.
Families who have not participated in the past, can register through the church office. The Registration Form for the 2023-2024 School Year is available at this link: Registration Form 2023/2024 Rgister on line at Online Registration
Any questions or concerns should be directed to Dave Gauthier at 228-596-8835.
The success of our CCD Program depends on dedicated individuals who volunteer as catechists, aides, and hall monitors. We are planning this year’s program ahead of time so that our children will be provided with all the resources that are available for their religious instructions. Please contact Dave Gauthier if you are able to assist.
Requirements for SRE/CCD Catechists: You must be at least 18 years of age, a practicing Catholic, and in good standing (must be able to receive the sacraments). Most importantly, you must have a desire to share your time and talent with our children.
“You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. And you shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19)