Online R.E. registration is now open for the 2023-24 school year.
Please contact Tina at 701-388-5727 or [email protected] if you have questions about the registration form.

Post-Baptismal Early Childhood Development Mailings
After a family has their young one baptized at St. Francis de Sales, they can expect to receive mailings from the parish about every six months.  These mailings contain information and resource material about their baby’s early developmental stages, their family’s prayer and faith development life, and an age appropriate gift!  If you would like to contact us about preparing for your baby or child’s baptism, please call the parish office at 218-233-4780.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word
Children who are three to seven years old are welcome to participate in Children’s Liturgy of the Word during the 10am Mass from mid-September through mid-May.  Children gather in our preschool room during the Liturgy of the Word to hear the Gospel reading in age-appropriate language, participate in a small lesson to understand God’s teaching, and do an activity that helps to better understand and remember the Word.  All children within this age range are encouraged to participate, and no registration is required.  If you are interested in assisting with this ministry or have questions, please contact Tina at 701-388-5727 or [email protected].

Religious Education Classes

At St. Francis de Sales, we take the faith formation and education of our youth very seriously, but that doesn’t mean we only offer dry and boring classes!  We offer religious education for youth starting at age 3, extending until confirmation typically in grade 11.  All lessons are provided in an age- and developmentally-appropriate style.  We respect the needs of young people to learn in different ways and provide many experiential learning opportunities with less emphasis on workbooks and textbooks than a traditional learning environment.  We understand that our young people have been in classrooms all day and will need to have the opportunity to move, talk, discuss, and experience.  We also emphasize community and encourage some interaction between grade levels, allowing our younger children to observe our older students and vice versa.  Our hope is for everyone in our program to feel like a part of an extended family in our youth community and parish. 

Classes for preschool through first year Confirmation candidates are held on Wednesday evenings.  Second year confirmation class is held on various (not all) Sunday afternoons.
 
We are always looking for enthusiastic individuals to be a part of our program.  If you enjoy young people, please consider becoming a member of our volunteer faculty!  All materials, lessons, and supplies are provided.  All you need is faith and an attitude of fun and patience!  If this applies to you or if you have any questions at all about our programming, please contact Tina at 701-388-5727 or [email protected].

Sacramental Preparation
In second grade, we have programs to assist our children in preparing for their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist.  Both programs involve some home preparation, some classroom preparation, and a fun and informative morning retreat.  First Reconciliation is usually celebrated in January.  First Eucharist is usually celebrated in late April.

Confirmation is a two-year classroom preparation. For most students, this will be tenth and eleventh grades.  Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation is usually in late April.

If you have a child who has not been baptized or a child older than second grade who has not yet celebrated First Reconciliation and/or First Eucharist, or if you have questions about preparing for any of these sacraments, contact Tina at 701-388-5727 or [email protected].

Vacation Bible School
Nearly every summer, a fun and faith-building week is offered for any child between the ages of 3 and 10 years old.  Traditionally, this is offered in the afternoons of a Monday-through-Thursday week during mid or late summer.  We incorporate skits, games, snacks, and lots of active play, centered around a new theme each year, to help us all learn more about our faith and draw closer to God.  To assist with this ministry or if you have questions, please contact Tina at 701-388-5727 or [email protected].

HS Senior Graduation Blessing and Breakfast
We like to honor our young people who have reached the milestone of high school graduation with a special blessing mass in May followed by a light breakfast with their families. 

Monthly Youth Mass
Each month, one of our 10am Sunday masses is set aside as a youth mass with our young people providing many of the mass ministries, such as carrying the cross, proclaiming the Word through the readings, singing, presenting the gifts, ushering, altar serving, and more!

St. Nicholas Breakfast and Silent Auction
Our religious education programming is always offered to all families free of charge.  To support our programming, we have a major fundraiser each year just before Christmas, with as many of our families assisting in the execution of this event as possible.  The St. Nicholas Breakfast and Silent Auction is a fun, wonderful event for all!  We enjoy a yummy breakfast, a performance by the Moorhead High School Carolers, a large silent auction, a Christmas Store, and a visit from St. Nick, himself!

Youth Softball Team
Each summer, we have a team of young people from 6-12^th grades form to represent our parish in the Red River Valley Youth Church Co-Ed Rec Softball League.  This is very popular and lots and lots of fun!   Contact Tina if you have interest in helping out with the team or in registering your son/daughter! 701-388-5727 or [email protected]. 

Other Youth Events Throughout the Year
There are many other youth events that are offered every year for our young people to enjoy. 

• At Christmas time, we have a Nativity Play for kids from age 3 to 13.  It is SO fun and special!
• We also have a family Christmas party with a dessert potluck and LOTS of activities for the kids!
• Middle school and high school kids can choose to go on trips to Valleyfair, Mall of America, and to go downhill skiing.
• Middle School and High School Youth Rallies are offered each year through the Diocese of Crookston, allowing our young people to make lots of Catholic friends throughout the area in a fun, supportive, and inspirational environment.  We provide group transportation to these events.
• Youth Group events include fun nights and trips to local fun spots like Thunder Road, Sky Zone, and Skateland.  Other fun activities include movie nights, sledding, minute-to-win-it, bowling, and much more!